21 September 2001 Volume 6 Issue 36 Paragraphs 420 - 430
WEEKLY INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS
SUMMARY
TELECOMS
420 Network Transport - Tier 2 Report on Changes
to the Revised Initial Implementation of 30 Minutes
421 Network Build: Non-BT and European Operations
422 Manpower Meeting Report 23.8.01
423 Update on BT Wholesale QPB & FTC
424 Cabling Safety
POSTAL
425 Customer Management - Conduct Code and
Attendance Procedure
426 Cars on Delivery - Project Closure Report
427 Royal Mail: Admin Overhead Review
428 Use of Mobile Phones - Cash Handling & Distribution
429 Royal Mail: Temporary Promotions
HEALTH & SAFETY
430 Health & Safety at the TUC 2001
SPECIAL BRIEFINGS
SB/396 Debt Celinet Retail Shop Closure (Dave Johnson)
SB/397 Customer Management: Conduct Code and Attendance
Procedure: Ballot Result
(Ray Ellis)
SB/398 BT Ceilnet Rightsizing (Dave Johnson)
SB/399 Women’s School (Eric Lovett)
SB/400 Special Pay Seminar (John Keggie, DGS{P})
SB/401 Industrial Relations Enquiry: Conduct Code Cases (John
Keggie (DGS{P})
SB/402 Attendance Procedures (John Keggie, DGS{P))
SB/403 Annex to Project Moon (Terry Pullinger)
SB/404 Future of Concert (Bill McClory)
SB/405 Postcomm. Granting Licence to Hays Commercial Services
(Ray Ellis (Acting DGS[P]}
SB/406 Working Time Review: Scheduled Attendances (John
Keggie, DGS{P})
SB/407 Challenging the restricted Concensus in the Postcomm.
Review (Billy Hayes, G.S.)
SB/408 The Next Stage of BT’s Restructuring (Jeannie
Drake, DGS(T})
TELECOMS
420 Network Transport - Tier 2 Report on Changes to the Revised
Initial Implementation of 30 Minutes
It was brought to the Executive's attention, that a number of members sought to remain on a late start attendance pattern following the agreement in Network Transport to change to a 15 minutes early finish. Further information was sought on the actual position on a Tier 2 basis and is now attached in the electronic dispatch of this Briefing paragraph. Branches not accepting the data provided must, in the first instance, take this up with Tier 2 management.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
421 Network Build: Non-BT and European Operations
I promised Branches in CWU Briefing No. 32, paragraph 372 further
detail on the numbers selected by location. In the electronic
dispatch of the Briefing is an attachment detailing name and
location. Also attached is a Job Description to be used for the
trial, and which is subject to further discussions with BT.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
422 Manpower Meeting Report 23.8.01
Branches are advised that the CWU, represented by Sally Bridge,
Assistant Secretary and Sharon Hogarth, OAOOC Agency Team
Representative, met with Bernard Kingsley, Manpower Employee
Relations Manager, responsible for the BT UK contract, on Wednesday
23rd August 2001 to represent a number of important issues including
CWU Conference Policy.
The CWU consider that the meeting was both extremely useful and in the main positive, marking the beginning of a new shared commitment to schedule joint quarterly meetings in the interests of good industrial relations.
The meeting opened with general introductions and an overview of changes that have recently taken place within the Manpower management team and structure, the CWU taking the opportunity to request details of the managers that interface with the CWU at Regional, Sector and Local level. Manpower provided the CWU with information relating to the new Northern and Southern Operational Structure, which has since been circulated to Branches in the form of a Special Briefing dated 31 August 2001.
Conference Policy 2001
The CWU pursued with vigour the terms of Conference policy on
propositions 26, 29, 37c and 42c, relating to contracts, hours and
pay. Manpower agreed to take back the terms of the CWU propositions
for discussion at Board level and respond to the CWU accordingly.
Manpower also agreed to raise the matters contained within the
policies at their forthcoming Conference/Workshop being held on 13th
and 14th September 2001 in order that management, at all levels,
within their organisation had a better understanding of the views of
the CWU and its members.
Manpower Attendance Management
The CWU expressed extreme concern that the Manpower Attendance
Management Guidelines for sick and late attendance had not been
amended to reflect those decisions made around Discipline at the CWU
Agency Forum and the subsequent agreed Best Practice. The CWU pointed
out that it was out of step with both BT's poor Attendance Procedure
and the Agency Best Practice to hold an individual on a verbal
warning for more than six months. As a result of the representations
Manpower have agreed to amend their Attendance Procedure and
Management Guidelines and remove the referral to 12 months with
immediate effect. The Guidelines to be amended to read:
"Following a verbal warning, any further absence in the subsequent six months will result in a formal written warning."
Furthermore, the CWU reiterated concern that Manpower insists on combining sick and late attendance for monitoring purposes. Manpower were quick to point out that the procedure has been agreed as a contract condition with the client - BT. Manpower, however, did agree to ensure that their management team dealt with each case sensitively and on an individual and exceptional basis. Manpower also agreed to highlight the importance of this issue to the CWU and our members at their forthcoming 2-day management conference, being held early September 2001, ensuring that due consideration is given to the nature of absence and that exceptional circumstances are treated as such. Manpower has again invited the CWU to escalate any cases that the Union believe have been dealt with unreasonably under the procedure and without due consideration to personal and individual circumstances. Correspondence dated 31st August 2001 has been dispatched to Branches via a Special Briefing giving details of the foregoing changes.
Review of the Manpower Handbook
The CWU made enquiries about the progress of the review of the
Manpower Handbook pointing that were a number of areas of concern
which the CWU would wish to provide further views and comments for
consideration within the forthcoming review. The Union also pointed
out that the Manpower Handbook may be well suited for an agency
individual that regularly changed assignments with Manpower. However,
for our members in long-term placements within BT, a staff handbook
designed especially for use on the BT contract would be more
beneficial. Manpower agreed and advised the Union that they had been
considering such a move and were presently looking at the costings.
Manpower reiterated their agreement to involve the CWU in the review
and agreed to advise the CWU as appropriate.
Stakeholder Pensions
Manpower advised that the take up of their stakeholder pension,
launched in May 2001 with Scottish Equitable, had been very low.
Manpower reiterated their commitment to becoming a front runner
within the Agency sphere to bringing in employer contributions ahead
of legislation. Manpower agreed to keep the CWU updated around the
whole issue of pensions.
International Allowance - O&DS
The CWU outlined concern that the payment for linguists within
O&DS had not been increased in line with pay for a number of
years. The CWU pointed out that the 30p per hour allowance payable to
all linguist Agency Operators in both OA & DQ should be reviewed
with a view to increasing the allowance in line with pay. Manpower
agreed to take the matter away for discussion at their management
board and respond accordingly.
Exchanges of Duty - Personal Favours - O&DS
Discussion ensued around the issue of Personal Favours within
O&DS, which had recently been withdrawn by Manpower on a National
basis, the CWU pointing out that withdrawal from this long-standing
National agreement within BT would have ramifications on attendance
and greatly reduce the flexibility for Operators working to a 14-week
roll out. After much debate and deliberation, the Union agreed to
produce a statement around the Exchanges of Duty agreement along with
supporting documentation for consideration by Manpower with a view to
easing the concerns of the Agency in order that the withdrawal could
be reversed.
Any enquiries to this paragraph should be addressed to Sally Bridge, Assistant Secretary, quoting reference 12.2
423 Update on BT Wholesale QPB & FTC
The Executive has been in further discussions with BT Wholesale
during the course of this week and is able to report that
satisfactory progress was made for some groups of FTCs; this is
despite a very unpromising economic situation.
It has been confirmed that BT Wholesale has continued to grow its business, although the growth has not been as high as in the past, and the volumes that were anticipated for 3G and LLU have not materialised. Past resource growth was brought in to be trained and able to be deployed to meet the new business activity; consequently there has been a downward budget adjustment to reflect this lack of activity. This has meant that from the resource plan reported in CWU Briefing No.32, Paragraph 375, there is a requirement to cut the original FTE plans by 2,513. This will be an impossible target to reach purely by using natural wastage.
The first immediate good news is that progress has been made on the current group of Fixed Term Contract employees whose contract has either expired or will have done so by the end of December. They will, with two categories of exceptions, be offered formal conversion. The two groups where there is exemption are those where there is a performance issue and within the North West. Both groups are under a further review and no decision has been on the contractual status, although the Executive is hopeful of a satisfactory outcome regarding the North West. As to the small number of performance related cases, the further review is to whether the individuals have been formally and fairly dealt with under BT's internal monitoring processes. These individuals may find offers of extension of their contracts; the facility of appeal and review has been agreed where the Union has evidence that they have not been fairly treated. These individuals may also, dependent on the outcome of the review, find themselves being offered a formal offer of conversion of contract status.
The majority of the second group of fixed term contract employees whose contracts are due to expire between January and March of next year are anticipated to receive a formal offer of conversion of contract status. No formal decision has been made with regard to this group of FTCs as the total number will be dependent on the outcome of the commitment to take 200 employees out of Firstcall.
A major initiative is underway to place most of the 1,200 employees in Firstcall, this will be the subject of further and separate reports from the Union's Head Office. In essence the approach currently being taken and is subject to further discussions, is that individuals' skill sets and capabilities will be matched to activities/posts and then they will be allocated. There will be no facility for line managers to reject the placement. When this is completed management will know what the current status regarding post availability is and the latest volume report forecast will be available to assist in the placing of individuals within the second group of FTCs. This will not be known until October at the earliest.
Turning to the final group of FTCs, ie those taken on with varying length of contract service, but all have a common end of service date in March 2003. It was with the specific intention of building 3G and LLU that these individuals were recruited. Regrettably, I have to report that nearly all of those individuals will not see through their contract and BT Wholesale will start the process over the coming months of identifying what placements, if any, are possible otherwise, the issuing of notice of termination of services will be served. At the time of the discussions both parties became aware of developments in Customer Service Field Operations which requires significant resource, although this may be regional and not nationally widespread. It was agreed to see whether it was possible for individuals to be offered work and employment on this access network initiative.
Some Branches during the course of this week have raised the issue that individuals have been told that there will be no further period of notice. This has been raised and challenged nationally. For the very few individuals who may be in a situation of being past or within their contract notice period, I can report that national management reject completely, without reservation, the statements being made by lower line management. All individuals will have their contract of notice period honoured
As at the end of the meeting with management, all vacancies were frozen. It was agreed that where offers have been made and accepted they will be honoured, as will those MA interviews currently in progress. There will be a very limited capacity for early leavers under New Start and this will be exceptional and very much driven by personal circumstances. Discussions also touched upon the unsatisfactory position of the under-utilisation of direct labour in core build and this will be the subject of further discussions.
Whilst the objective of the Executive has been achieved regarding the first group of FTCs and progress has been made on the second, it is very much regrettable that work programmes for the last and final group of FTCs have not materialised. Given the dire circumstance that the Telecoms sector finds itself in, it is very unlikely at this stage that the Union will see again such levels of employment by the mechanism of fixed term contracts.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
424 Cabling Safety
The Executive reported in CWU Briefing No.10 (2000), paragraph 153 of
a very serious incident which led to a major initiative in the area
of cabling safety.
BT Safety Services requested a guarding programme be carried out to all cabling vehicles eg, LC&J, LCV, R&LC, MCU, MCV, PE3 and the Cable Recovery Trailer 5B. All 866 vehicles have now been supplied with interlocked or fixed guarding. Where this is not the case, Branches should contact Head Office immediately.
An interlocked capstan winch guard for the Trailer Winches 1 & 2 capable of accommodating other cabling ropes apart from Cabling Rope No.4 has now been approved by BT Safety Consultancy Services (SCS). BT SCS have been investigating the possibility of using other cabling ropes, apart from Cabling Rope No.4, which was the only approved rope used when handtailing from these winches.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
POSTAL
425 Customer Management - Conduct Code and Attendance Procedure
Further to Special Briefing 397/2001 that publicised the ballot
result Branches should note that it has been agreed that the new
procedures will be introduced with effect from Monday 1st October 2001.
Any Branch comments should be addressed to Ray Ellis, Assistant Secretary.
426 Cars on Delivery - Project Closure Report
This is to advise branches that documentation has been received from
Royal Mail which is attached to this briefing. It has to be stressed
that this is a management draft which has not yet been cleared. It provides:
A. An update on the situation at the end of 2000.
B. The Terms of Reference for the project.
C. Some conclusions and recommendations.
The situation is now confused by the fact that the main management figure in the project has been moved to other non-Headquarters duties and contact since his departure has been minimal.
It will be noted that at the five pilot sites where a financial case was submitted, additional costs of £86,000 per annum are anticipated, albeit that this is not thought to be representative of all offices. These costs and other issues raised by the pilots have acted as a disincentive for management to progress the issues.
There are good reports that progress has been made in many areas as part of the PBS revision procedure; however, the business cut backs and the management structure changes will make our task more difficult. The report is being considered in conjunction with Dave Joyce, NEC, and a meeting with Royal Mail is being requested to discuss the document.
Any enquiries should be addressed to Pat O'Hara, Outdoor Dept, quoting ref 0.300.26. Att: PE50
427 Royal Mail: Admin Overhead Review
Branches will be aware that Royal Mail have embarked upon a Review of
the Support Function within Service Delivery. Following the Business
advising the Union nationally of this activity, a meeting was
arranged with Admin Representatives and Divisional Reps at CWU HQ.
After this meeting the Union met with Royal Mail, Phil Waker
attending on behalf of the Indoor Department, who have now been
re-scheduled to take responsibility for the LA Grades employed in
Service Delivery.
Following this meeting, a document was adopted at the September meeting of the Executive, which contained the following recommendations:
1.That the Union seek a further review of Admin duties in order to bring back to the LA Grade, work we believe is proper to that grade, but is currently being carried out by managers and possible uniformed grades.
2.That representatives dealing with admin work, will be written to updating them on the current position and reminding them of the various issues to be aware of, dealt with and reported to HQ.
3.That a Working Party of four or five LA Representatives working in Service Delivery be set up in order to examine the detail of the various templates now available, and any other relevant information, and the ongoing effects of the review.
The document, which has been reproduced as an annex to this paragraph, also contained a report on the outcome of the meeting held with Royal Mail on this issue.
The action taken so far in respect of the above mentioned recommendation is:
1.Royal Mail have been contacted regarding the duty content review, and it will be the subject of further dialogue.
2.The Union has written to the Divisional Representatives, requesting the names and addresses of all Administration Representatives, or the Representative responsible for LA Grades, if no Admin Rep is in place. Once this has been done, these representatives will be placed on an address database that will enable the Indoor Department to provide regular updates to these reps as well as to branches.
3.The Indoor Department would like to hear from any LA Reps who would like to be considered for the working party that we are looking to establish. Preference will be given in the first instance to individuals who work in Service Delivery.
At the time of drafting this paragraph, the Union has written to Royal Mail to clarify the position in relation to the IR Framework Agreement applying in relation to both duty proposals and people issues.
In any event, Branches/Reps should notify CWU HQ of any points of disagreement, or matters of concern. These will then be taken up with the appropriate manager. It is important to note that any issues sent to headquarters must be supported by a written summary of the case/issue and should include any correspondence.
All enquiries regarding this paragraph should be addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary, quoting reference number L.400.14 and copied to Phil Waker NEC. Att: PE51
428 Use of Mobile Phones - Cash Handling & Distribution
A number of branches have contacted this Headquarters to query a
directive that has been issued by Cash Handling & Distribution to
all units within the business. The contents of this directive were as follows:
· From Mon 20/08/01 a new CHD policy on mobile phones takes effect.
· From this date, personal mobile telephones must not be taken into cash centres, CIT depots or on board CIT vehicles.
· They must be left in personal lockers, where these are available before staff access PTUs or Security Control Rooms, or surrendered to the safe keeping of Security Control Rooms.
CHD Directive 08
10 August 2001
This directive was not agreed with CWU nor was there any consultation on the subject. However CHD issued the directive as a result of discussions with their security advisors. It is clear however from the comments from branches that CIT workers have no communication channels to receive urgent calls whilst on board CIT vehicles. As a result of this CWU Headquarters have approached CHD to have the directive withdrawn. As there has been no consultation on this issue CHD have advised their managers to withdraw the directive in relation to CIT workers. This will enable discussions to take place on the whole subject of personal communication. Branches should ensure that all CHD members in CIT depots are advised that this directive has been withdrawn as it would appear that not all local managers have done so.
Any enquiries to Tony Kearns Assistant Secretary C&CH Dept quoting ref B.429
429 Royal Mail: Temporary Promotions
Branches were advised in CWU Briefing number 42, dated 3rd November
2000, of the introduction of a new policy on Temporary Promotions.
The issue was also the subject of a paragraph in this year's Annual
Report, Para 9.22 referred.
It was agreed that the new policy would be reviewed, after it had been in place for 12 months. As the date of introduction was 1st July 2000, the Union are in the process of setting up a meeting with Royal Mail to undertake the agreed review. So as to assist the Union, could branches please forward any comments that they have on the new policy. It would be appreciated if this information could be forwarded to the Indoor Department by Friday 12th October 2001.
I can, however, advise branches that a disagreement has been forwarded to CWU HQ from the North East Division, that deals with the issue of individuals performing acting duties for periods in excess of two years. This will be the subject of a meeting at National level, the outcome of which will be reported to branches in due course.
All enquiries on the above paragraph should be addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary Indoor, quoting reference number L460.01(b) .
HEALTH & SAFETY
430 Health & Safety at the TUC 2001
This year's TUC held in September in Brighton came to an early
conclusion due to the appalling act of terrorism inflicted in the
USA. Asking Congress to agree to closing down Congress on the third
day, President Bill Morris said that everyone had been deeply shocked
by the horrendous events of the last eighteen hours. He stated that
the TUC's solidarity for the American people had been communicated to
the American Ambassador and the President of the AFL - CIO John
Sweeney. It is inevitable that many Trade Unionists will be amongst
the victims of this outrage as reports highlight a number of
Firefighters and Police Officers and thousands of office workers are missing.
Health & Safety issues at the TUC were therefore limited to a debate taking place on Monday morning on a motion in the name of UCATT, the Union of Construction Allied Trades & Technicians. This motion was carried and stated that Congress welcomes the initiative of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Health & Safety Commission in calling a Construction Safety Summit in February 2002. The Safety Summit was called against a background of significant fatal accidents in the last year and a total of 938 construction fatalities in the last decade.
Congress also noted that twenty five thousand workers were forced to leave work every year for Occupational ill Health. Congress also noted that the Government is committed to introducing a wide-ranging Safety Bill at the earliest opportunity to introduce Regulations to include:
(1) Provision for Trade Union Roving Health & Safety Representation where appropriate.
(2) Full Legal & Industrial Protection from Dismissal for Trade Union Safety Representatives including the right to stop the job where there is a threat of serious injury.
(3) A new offence of Corporate killing with a provision for a custodial sentence.
(4) Provision for Occupational Health including rehabilitation as part of the Safety Bill.
(5) The introduction of a clear Legal Definition of a Worker rigorously enforced.
Other Motions on Health & Safety, Education, Race and Monitoring of Violence at Work, Drug & Alcohol Policy and the inclusion of a maximum working temperatures in a HSC Code of Practice, were all remitted for the TUC General Council to deal with.
Also at Congress a Fringe Meeting organised by the Hazards Campaign & GMB on Tuesday evening included a lively debate on issues of Health & Safety. The Speakers included a Health & Safety Officer from the GMB, Ann Jones, Mother of Simon, of the Simon Jones Memorial Campaign and David Bergman from the Centre of Corporate Accountability. The meeting heard that the basic right of workers to a safe place of work is being ignored in this country.
This year statistics shows that nearly three hundred people were killed in the workplace. Thousands die from work-related diseases including four thousand who died this year from asbestos-related illnesses. The Campaign called on the Labour Government to waste no time in bringing in a Health & Safety Bill. The Bill should include the right for Unions to have Roving Safety Representatives and also the ability to issue provisional improvement notices.
There has also been a call for Government Funding for Safety Rep Training and also proper enforcement for the Safety Committee and Safety Representatives Regulations. There was call for a culture shift for the Health & Safety Executive with more enforcement, more responses to accidents reported and the introduction of a Law on Corporate Killing within positions of legal duties on Company Directors. There was agreement in the meeting for the need to see the rights and laws for Safety Reps strengthened and the meeting also agreed on the need for a Campaign of all Unions to pressurise the Government to get a Health & Safety Bill introduced as soon as possible.
Any enquiries on this matter should be referred to Kevin Shaw, Assistant Secretary quoting Ref. NS.124.