BT’s top brass taken to task over BT Facilities ‘endgame’

BT January 15 2019

An unmistakable message of defiance against BT’s plans to outsource its Facilities Services division with scant protection for transferring staff was delivered outside the company’s central London headquarters yesterday (Monday).

Well over 200 CWU protesters pitched up at BT Centre – the telecoms giant’s historic nerve centre in the shadow of St Paul’s Cathedral – for a very public display of the union’s disgust at the betrayal of 1,700 employees who are scheduled for transfer to either ISS or CBRE in April.

With the CWU certain that the proposed TUPE transfer presents profound threats to job security and Ts&Cs, the key message the union was intent on getting across is that BT needs to ‘Stop Playing Games’ with the livelihoods of loyal staff members.

Yesterday’s high profile central London demonstration followed in the wake of four weeks of #ENDGAME campaign protests that targeted no fewer than 14 BT sites across the UK in the run-up to Christmas.

As with the pre-Christmas protests, the anger of those at the sharp end of the outsourcing was tangible. Amongst those were two mobile housekeepers who’d travelled all the way from Hereford to London to vent their disgust at the uncertainty they’ve been plunged into. (See below).

They were joined by other Facilities Services staff from across London, standing shoulder to shoulder with Labour MP for Coatbridge, Chryston & Bellshill – the CWU’s very own Hugh Gaffney – and activists from across the country to hear the outsourcing move denounced by CWU general secretary Dave Ward and deputy general secretary (T&FS) Andy Kerr.

First on the platform, however, was the national officer spearheading the #ENDGAME campaign, assistant secretary Sally Bridge.

With the formal consultation period well underway, Sally stressed the national rally was happening at a “crucial point in the union’s campaigning,” adding: “The stakes are high and this isn’t a game – it’s real life. We say to BT ‘stop playing games with our members’ livelihoods.’

“We have an agenda with objectives that were clearly laid down to BT on day one – and those objectives are protection of the Real Living Wage, protection against compulsory redundancies and protection of contractual hours.”

Sally stressed that, while the union is intent on trying to secure a negotiated settlement that includes the safeguards that members crave, if necessary it was prepared to “use all means at our disposal, up to and including a dispute.”

Deputy general secretary Andy Kerr agreed, adding: “We know that the company is looking at other parts of BT to see what they can sell off or contract out, and I want to make it clear today that the CWU will fight and campaign for our members, no matter what part of this company they are in.”

Concluding the National Rally, general secretary Dave Ward pointed out the irony of the fact that, just as the Parliamentary debate on Brexit is reaching its crescendo with a belated focus on workers’ rights, the actions of companies like BT are demonstrating “why the fight for workers’ rights has to start here in the UK.”

Arguing it was an “absolute disgrace” that a company posting profits in the billions was reverting to a discredited outsourcing model in which job security and Ts&Cs invariably suffer, Dave stressed: “People are being made to feel that they have no stability in their lives. Companies like BT have to stand up and start taking some responsibility for what is happening in our economy.

“That’s why later this year the CWU, along with other trade unions, will be calling for a Day of Action to get a New Deal for Workers across the UK.”

 

Voice of the betrayed…

As at previous #ENDGAME campaign protests, the human cost of BT’s outsourcing decision was poignantly articulated by those who are personally in scope for TUPE transfer out of the company.

Two mobile housekeepers with more than 30 years service between them had travelled all the way from their homes in Hereford to register their disgust at the uncertainty they have been plunged into as a result of the remote boardroom decision.

Liz Mountford, whose duties are centred on BT sites across Gloucestershire, explained she’d felt compelled to make the journey to London to “make her voice heard” in defiance of the fact that she and her colleagues were presented with the outsourcing decision as a fait-accomplis.

“We’ve given 100 per cent to BT but there was no consultation – it was signed and sealed, and then we were told,” she said. “And where is it going to end?  I’m particularly worried about job security and the Living Wage, because ISS are not known for paying the recommended Living Wage.”

Angela Hughes, whose patch takes in much of Herefordshire added: “For me it was important to come to the protest because we need to stand up for ourselves. At least that way we can show that we’re not going to go down without a fight.”

For Angela, the key reassurances she’s hoping to come out the negotiations currently taking place include a guarantee that hard-won Living Wage pay rates will be maintained, that contractual hours will be honoured and that workloads won’t be extended to include non-BT buildings.

“Our fear is that we’re going to get sent from pillar to post and that they’ll use any excuse in the end to try to get us to leave,” she explained. “ I’m 64 now and a widow of nine years, so I have to support myself and I can’t afford to go looking for another job.”

Stressing her gratitude for the CWU’s campaigning on Facilities Services members’ behalf, Angela admitted she was especially concerned that the TUPE transfer would turn back the clock on the positive changes the union has fought for since the division was brought back in-house in 2012.

“They give you a sweetie jar, they let you have a couple and then they snatch it away,” she lamented.

Mark Dixon who carries out electrical maintenance at BT Tower, would also far prefer to stay working for BT having witnessed the improvements that have been secured for employees like him who transferred from Monteray when Facilities Services was brought back in-house.

“My biggest concerns are over job security and pensions,” he said. None of us are sure what’s going to happen in the future with CBRE – whether we’re going to have jobs in six months time – and thoughts like that cause a lot of worry.”

Shantie Swammy, a housekeeper of 15 years service at Baynard House in London, agreed – stressing it had been personally important to her to attend the protest because “BT has let us down”.

“It’s terrible that BT has done this to us, “ she added. “I’m very disappointed and would never have expected a big company like BT to do something like this.

“We had high hopes of the future and they’ve just shattered everything for us. We also have worries about the company that is taking over and what will happen to our hours. We just don’t know what’s happening.”

Fellow Baynard House housekeeper Bashil Balogun concluded: “It’s a surprise and a shock that BT is doing this and everyone is angry. Imagine working in a place for years and then being treated like this – it’s just so unfair.”