Union makes inroads across BT Wholesale & Ventures

Telecoms & Financial Services January 24 2017

The CWU is pressing hard to strengthen membership across the relatively new BT Wholesale & Ventures line of business, to grow the union where new jobs are created and negotiate better conditions and permanent jobs for existing agency workers.

“There’s far more use of agency staff across Wholesale and Ventures than we believe is necessary or healthy for the company – and that’s to say nothing of the adverse effects of insecure and often pretty exploitative employment models on agency workers who often feel second class citizens in not just the workplace but also whenever they try to access a wide range of financial services including loans and mortgages workplace,” assistant secretary Brendan O’Brien told The Voice.

“Significant numbers of agency workers are being used in Ventures Voice Services – some with extremely long service, which is something we’re determined to pick away at,” Brendan continued. “The covering peaks and troughs’ argument that is sometimes used to explain the use of agency workers simply doesn’t wash when they’re employed for years on end conducting roles that are clearly permanent’ so should be filled by direct labour.”

“The CWU’s contention is that direct labour jobs are better for workers, better for the company because direct employment tends to increase employees sense of belonging and commitment to the company – and in some respects direct labour employment models can actually be cheaper on account of the high fees charged by agencies.”

BT Fleet is also under the CWU’s agency spotlight – with the union determined to secure agency to permanent conversions’ not just amongst agency mechanics in the workshops but also in Fleet’s admin centres where agency is particularly prevalent. “That area will be a particular focus for us during the course of 2017,” Brendan promised.

Meanwhile the union has already secured some early successes in BT Supply Chain (BTSC) including nine agency conversions’, two new apprenticeships at Northallerton. A further 21 agency conversions have been agreed at Magna Park.

Other recent CWU successes in BTSC include the securing payments for individuals attending training courses who had previously been obliged to attend courses in their own time – including a series of five seven-hour modules on Saturdays.

Brendan concludes: “So far so good. We have been pressing BT Supply Chain to grow its business, improve the treatment of staff and convert many people from agency to direct labour BT employees. However, the job is not yet done and we continue to push for higher levels of permanent jobs.It is crucial that employees in Supply Chain have the protection of a trade union while it is goes through change, so that we can help shape and secure their future.”

The union has written to all branches urging an additional focus on recruitment and organising of both direct labour and agency workers across Wholesale & Ventures – as ultimately the union’s ability to negotiate meaningful change depends on membership strength.