WEEKLY INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
SUMMARY
Attachments or LTB's can be
emailed or downloaded from the National Site
Volume 9 Issue 40 Paragraphs 646 - 663 15 October 2004
SUMMARY
GENERAL
646 Meetings with CWU
Supported MPs
647 Trade Unions for Cuba Conference
648 Equality &
Diversity Mandatory Training for Branch Officials
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
649 2004 Disability Seminar
HEALTH AND SAFETY
650 European Health and
Safety Week 2004 - Building in Safety
TELECOMS
651 Network Build: DSLAM Trial
652 Network Build: Roding
and Tubing
653 Network Operations - Resourcing
654 Network Operations:
Project Rubicon
655 BT Exact: One IT
656 BT Wholesale:
Diversity Week 29 November - 3 December 2004
657 Accenture HR Services
- Salary Matrix 2004 - Ballot Arrangements
658 Annual Holiday and Resourcing
659 Accenture HR Services:
BT Preference Supplier
660 NDI: Wideband Realignment
FINANCIAL SERVICES
No items this week
POSTAL
661 Christmas Pay
Arrangements - Motion 5.57
662 Interim Productivity
Scheme - Progress Report - Week 27
663 Royal Mail Uniform Issues
LETTERS TO BRANCHES
457
07.10.04 Capita Results - Steve Baguley
458
07.10.14 Civil Partnership Bill - Billy Hayes
459
07.10.04 Political Fund Review Ballot - Autumn 2004 - Steve Baguley
460
08.10.04 Field Reward Scheme (FRS) - Ian Cuthbert
461
08.10.04 Quadrant London Weighting Review - Terry Pullinger
462
08.10.04 European Health and Safety Week - Dave Joyce
463
08.10.04 Royal Mail Executive Elmar Toime Stands Down - Dave Ward
464
11.10.04 BTECC - Election of Lay Representatives - Jeannie Drake
465
13.10.04 LGV Bonus Scheme Training - Terry Pullinger
466
13.10.04 LGV Driver Resourcing & Training within Royal Mail
Logistics - Terry Pullinger
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GENERAL
646
Meetings with CWU Supported MPs
Meetings with CWU supported MPs have now been arranged for the
present Parliamentary session and, for your information, I list below
the dates of the meetings and those nominated to attend:
12 October
Northern Ireland Regional Secretary, John Holmes, Chris Murphy,
Maria Exall,Graham Colk.
16 November
Eastern Region Regional Secretary/Political Secretary,
John Holmes, Manny Blake,
Joe Malone, Graham Colk
14 December
Wales Regional Secretary/Political
Secretary, John Holmes, Karen Rose, Steve Fishwick, Andy Kerr
Details of meetings in 2005 will be notified to Branches when these
have been arranged.
Billy Hayes, General Secretary
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647
Trade Unions for Cuba Conference
The Union nationally will be sending a delegation to the Trade Unions
for Cuba Conference which is due to be held on 6th November, TUC,
Congress House, London WC1. The conference has been organised by the
TUC and Cuba Solidarity Campaign.
You will know that it is a critical time for the Cuban people.Despite
suffering 45 years of a crippling US blockade, Cuba has fought to
defend its renowned health, education, and cultural achievements.
Yet, Cuba's independence and people are now further threatened by new
and dangerous US measures - measures that are blatantly designed to
destroy these advances, increase the suffering of Cuban people and
force a change of its government and social policies.
The 2001 Trade Unions for Cuba conference was a major success,
attracting 300 delegates and representatives from 12 Cuban Unions.
This second conference aims to build on the issues raised and
friendships forged there, but above all, it aims to set the agenda
for future trade union work on Cuba - focusing on how trade unions
can engage in the political process and use their influence to lobby
the British government to distance itself from aggressive US policies
towards the island.
The registration fee for attending this conference is £30 per
delegate and you can register on www.cuba.solidarity.org.uk
Any enquiries on this paragraph should be addressed to the General
Secretary's Department quoting Reference GS 15.11.
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648
Equality & Diversity Mandatory Training for Branch Officials
In line with Conference policy, we now require branches to submit
applications for the following mandatory Equality & Diversity courses:
These courses are being held in the North East Region:
Thursday 11th November - Newcastle
Tuesday 7th December - Newcastle
Further dates and venues for other regions will be published in due course.
Nominations should be made on an application form for Union courses
and returned as soon as possible to Trish Lavelle, Head of Education
& Training, CWU Education & Training Centre, Alvescot Lodge,
Alvescot, Bampton, Oxon OX18 2PY. Telephone: 01993 843373; Fax: 01993
840960; email: mtodd@cwu.org
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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
649
2004 Disability Seminar
Places are still available on the 2004 Disability Seminar which will
be taking place on Saturday, 13 November 2004 at the Queen's Hotel
Dundee. Registration is at 10am and the Seminar is due to finish by 4pm.
A Nomination Form for the Seminar, Attachment G.55 is included.
Branches are advised that any release costs, travel costs or expenses
of delegates will have to be met out of Branch funds. Lunch will be
provided at the Seminar. Branches are asked to bring this Seminar to
the attention of interested members. A copy of this information will
be provided to the contact list and you may be approached for
assistance by members. Please give active consideration to assisting
members.
For those interested in staying at the Queens Hotel, the Disability
and Special Needs Advisory Committee have arranged a concessionary
rate of £35 Single B&B and £50 Double B&B. Bookings
can be made by contacting the Queens Hotel on 01382 322515 or email reservations@queenshotel-dundee.com,
quoting reference CWU.
Speakers will include Sarah Veale, (TUC Equality Officer), the Lord
Provost of Dundee, Paul de Gama, (Royal Mail); Michael Connarty MP,
Margaret Curran MSP and Trish Lavelle. Invitations to attend the
Seminar have been sent to, and Gill Davidson, (Accenture/BT) Billy
Hayes and Pat O'Hara (CWU).
The programme will include both speakers and workshops.
A social evening will take place on the Friday, 12 November 2004,
sponsored by the Communication Workers Friendly Society.
Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to Michèle Emerson,
Assistant Secretary, quoting reference No. 1.50.1
Att:
G55
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HEALTH AND SAFETY
650
European Health and Safety Week 2004 - Building in Safety
The CWU Health Safety and Environment Department has produced a
poster for Branches to help raise awareness of the week, which runs
from 18th to 24th October. This is being sent to all Branches and
copies can be downloaded from the CWU website: www.cwu.org
Activities for European Health and Safety Week
This site will list what unions, and local campaigns are doing for
European Health and Safety Week.
www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/tuc-8698-f0.cfm
Construction Information Sheets
The TUC has produced a series of information sheets on safety in the
construction industry for European Health and Safety Week, which runs
between October 18th-24th
www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/tuc-8709-f0.cfm
The West Midlands and Worcester Branch has produced the attached
excellent Newsletter and card for members. Many other Branches are
following this initiative.
BT Retail has their own intranet site for employees to check out
what's happening at:
http://btretail.intra.bt.com/health/eu-week
A London CWU initiative has led to an Asbestos information card being
issued to all BT Employees in an A5 envelope along with October
copies of BT Today.
A more extensive explanation is contained on the CWU website at URL:
www.cwu.org/default.asp?Step=4&pid=515
Also visit the Europeans Agency's European Week website.
http://osha.eu.int/ew2004/
Download the HSE campaign material in PDF format here:
http://osha.eu.int/ew2004/static/campmaterials/index_en.htm
Support our colleagues in the construction industry: sign the
European week campaign charter!
Are you concerned by the alarming occupational health and safety
statistics in construction? Do you wish to contribute to a
European-wide campaign aimed at risk reduction and prevention
awareness?
If yes, then you might be interested to know more about the European
Agency's current health and safety campaign, and the European Week
found at this website:
http://osha.eu.int/ew2004/static/signthecharter/index_enhtm
Any enquiries and updates from Safety Reps and Branches on activities
for the week are welcomed and should be referred to Dave Joyce,
Assistant Secretary quoting reference NS 124.
Att:
G53 & G54.
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TELECOMS
651
Network Build: DSLAM Trial
As reported in previous Branch Officials Bulletins, the detail and
Terms of Reference were not to hand. Network Build are finding it
hard to finalise the list of trial sites as this is dependant on
Fujitsu's programme, the availability of Network Build C3 personnel
and availability of IPS resource.
As such, they cannot predict definitively where the installations are
to take place. They are looking to start the first installation
(Thursday 7th October) at Birmingham Halesowen Exchange. Beyond that,
the shortlist (which is subject to change) presently consists of:
Stratford upon Avon
Hoo Kent
London Albert Dock
London Richmond Kew
Canvey Island
London Baynard House
London Ealing
London Hounslow
I ask Branches that may have the potential trial sites; to ensure our
members are fully briefed on the trial and that there is strict
adherence to the Terms of Reference.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
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652
Network Build: Roding and Tubing
Network Build has advised that in keeping with the discussions
previously reported in Branch Officials Bulletin No.35 paragraph 577,
that it will switch Test Rod and Tube work between Contractor and
Direct Labour in the following areas:
1 cabling gang - Luton
2 cabling gangs - Cambridge
1 cabling gang - Ipswich
The only geography not included is Bedford,which Network Build's
Contract Management team will review in the short term.This area is
within Skanksa's remit and it is likely that if Network Build does
take work away from them in this area then Skanska may have to lay
off contractors and thereby BT losing the flexibility of this
resource. However, Network Build advises that if its Direct Labour
gang is still struggling with a fully effective loading then it will
review this decision and if needs be, switch this work to Network Build.
Branches with any other evidence of under utilization should advise
Head Office immediately, so that this can be exposed to national management.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
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653
Network Operations - Resourcing
Branches will have seen a number of reports describing the volatile
situation with particular regard to provision activities on
frames.The position continues to change but the resourcing
requirements for Network Operations both in the short term and long
term currently for direct labour is as follows and is in advance of
further discussions were the Executive team is seeking permanent recruitment.
Due to the additional resource required to maintain QOS and drive up
customer satisfaction in all areas, Network Operations have been
given the authority to retain 300 FTE, within this financial year,
against efficiency savings expected to be made across 04/05.These
efficiency savings will now not be realised in terms of FTE
reductions which were reported to Branches as part of the Operational
Efficiency Programme. It will to all intents and purpose do away with
any need for further consideration of a Newstart window for this
financial year.
Additionally a contingency task force is currently in place to
maximise all available internal resource on this critical
workstack.The numbers are changing on a week by week basis the
current position is shown in Table 1:
With regard to the need for additional external resource to meet the
needs of the business the following lays out the criteria and
requirements against the identified work areas.
Table 1
Resource Gains North & Scotland MWW HC London Total
NLG Contingency 15 19 12 14 60
NLG1 Capital 34 24 38 39 135
Network Build 6 7 11 4 28
Location Manager team 8 1 4 0 13
BT Retail 36 2 0 0 38
Total 99 53 65 57 274
Frames/Private Circuits & Switch
During the Newstart process a number of posts were requested as
authorised with backfill. Following the closure of the Newstart
period, and receipt of form 2s the T3s indicated which posts they
needed to backfill. Of these 55 have been authorised for the
permanent recruitment. The predominant skill for these roles is
Frames (35) with the remainder being predominantly Private Circuit
and Switch.
In order to fill these vacancies and as reported in Branch Officials
Bulletin No.38, paragraph 616, Network Operations are currently
reviewing the redeployee list for Retail, Wholesale and Global,
identifying matches by location and then discussing with the
appropriate line manager their suitability for the Field Ops role.
Ideally management are looking for people at the right grade, however
if there are redeployees of a higher grade in the location,
management have agreed they would offer them the opportunity on Pay
& Pension Protection.
As an interim measure, whilst they are reviewing redeployees,
management have placed a number of frames roles with a recruitment
agency called IPS. The purpose of which is for them to source frames
skilled individuals to fill these positions on a temporary basis. As
they identify redeployees who can fill these posts they will
terminate the employment of the agency worker. Should they not be
able to fill a post internally, management would look to convert the
agency person to a permanent employee or look for an alternative
suitable external candidate.
In addition to these permanent posts, management had also intended to
inject a short term resource of 60 agency/contractors from Marconi
and Ericsson over an 11 week period to assist in clearing a backlog
of cease activities which stood at 131,465 jobs at that time. However
this was never implemented and has been overtaken by recent events
and reports to branches. This has now become an issue of both
customer service failures and for the Regulator.
ADSL Ceases
At present the current run rate for this activity runs at
approximately 15k ceases per week, and management havefully resourced
up to meet this pattern of work arrival (last week 15,283 ceases
completed, the week before 15,939 ceases). However there continues to
be a bow-wave of 5000 ADSL cease forward, week on week since the
beginning of June, and Network Operations continue to experience
regular QOS and Customer Satisfaction problems as a result of this backlog.
The manual cease process involves separate sequential cease and
provide orders and jumpering jobs from the losing and gaining ISPs.
The orders go through CSS and the cease has to be completed before
the provide order can be raised on the same directory number, and
also triggers the billing termination. Where the cease has not been
completed, the customer is likely to be billed twice which has
obvious customer satisfaction ramifications and an area of interest
for the Regulator.
Although a new process is being proposed to the ISPs where all
operations are automated, including the termination of the billing,
it however depends on both ISPs to be made aware that the customer is
migrating (so that orders can be grouped). In a lot of cases
customers will terminate their contracts without stating their
intentions to migrate to another ISP.
ISDN Ceases
Similar to ADSL ceases, the issue has arisen as a result of a
decision to leave the Home Highway ceases in order to allow the
engineers to concentrate on Broadband provision. Although when the
decision was made it was not realised that the customer was being
charged, this has subsequently come to light and is resulting in a
large number of customer complaints
Eradicating this backlog will not only improve customer satisfaction,
it will help reduce call handling, and lessen the offline workload.
PSTN/PS/CP Ceases
With respect to these ceases that do not create a billing impact,
these remain required cease activities where an automated decision
has been made not to leave the jumper in place as it does not meet
the criteria for "Left In Jumper" (which subsequently
triggers an automatic cancelling of a cease frame activity). The
current backlog of ceases continues to create a negative impact on
productivity as there are thousands of redundant jumpers currently
sitting on supposedly spare MDF and DDF terminations.
As well as the obvious efficiency and productivity gains that can be
made by clearing the frames of ceased jumpers, there is also a
requirement for HOAN "stop not cease" to work efficiently,
for BT Wholesale to have the right capacity in the right place and
properly recorded as such. BT Wholesale can only be confident that
the records are correct and as such can be confident of having the
right capacity in place once this backlog is cleared.
The detail of the current backlog volumes is as follows:
Scotland 11823
North 27277
MWW 43941
HC 31125
London 17299
NLG 131465
A meeting has been arranged for the 8 October at which a commitment
to further direct labour recruitment will be pressed.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
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654
Network Operations: Project Rubicon
Branches may have heard or get to hear of a Project entitled
'Rubicon'. This project is designed to improve provision times and
customer service for 2Mb Prime, SDHS and CCTV products.
Attached for the information of Branches is a very detailed
presentation on the background and nature of the project,
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
Attachment
(Powerpoint)
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655
BT Exact: One IT
Branches first received an indication of the activity being taken to
refocus the BT Exact organization, indeed the whole of the IT
activity in the BT Group on delivering on the top 40 programmes in a
report in Branch Officials Bulletin No.38, paragraph 623.
Management have issued the attached internal communication, a similar
message has been received by the union which is attached. This seeks
to provide the union with an overview of the strategy and a
commitment to consult with the union as its detailed plans become clearer.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
Attachment
1 Attachment
2
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656
BT Wholesale: Diversity Week 29 November - 3 December 2004
As part of the review of last year's theme "Diversity Involves
You", BT Wholesale intends this year's theme week to be more
interactive as opposed to the mere generation of emails to BT
Wholesale employees.
In the Executive team's discussions with BT Wholesale Diversity Team,
it was reported they would be running a wide range of themes,
Bullying and Harassment, Gender, Ethnicity, Religion, Sexual
Orientation, Mental Illness, and Pro-Enable. Whilst the Diversity
website received 6,000 hits last year as a result of the core message
emails, it is intended that the Diversity website will have a larger
focus this year. It is also the intention to have interactive
lunchtime workshops/seminars.
These events will take place at BT Wholesale major locations and have
been listed as Birmingham (Bridley Place), Croydon (Delta Point),
Edinburgh (Alexander Graham Bell), Walsall (B.O.U), Martlesham
(Adestral Park) and Gatwick (City Place).
The Union has queried the commitment of BT Wholesale in running the
workshops/seminars during the lunch period and whether this is run in
company or employee time and also why the political expedient appears
to have been taken with regard to not running a theme on Age
Discrimination. To date the Union has not received any answers on
specific questions as to whether attendance at the workshop/seminars
is paid or unpaid time.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
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657
Accenture HR Services - Salary Matrix 2004 - Ballot Arrangements
As previously advised to Branches, outlined below is the process and
timeframe for the email ballot.
On 11th October, the first email blast will go out from Popularis
with the PIN number arrangements. The ballot will open on 13th
October, so between 11th October and the opening of the ballot on
13th October, any issues regarding PIN numbers and passwords can be
resolved by contacting on email annehock@popularis.org.
The ballot will formally close on Friday 29 October.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
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658
Annual Holiday and Resourcing
The union has received yesterday a copy of an internal Network Build
communication which is attached. I would wish to make it clear that
we have been informed as the briefing states on the day before
publication and without the opportunity for prior consultation.
Branches will be aware of the union policy to oppose such initiatives
as it generates expectations for subsequent years. The union will be
following up with strong objections as to the policy and to the lack
of prior consultation.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
Attachment
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659
Accenture HR Services: BT Preference Supplier
BT Group has been looking at its arrangements and expenditure on
learning. Surprisingly, it has used recently or is using in some
shape or form in excess of 1,500 training suppliers, in some cases,
duplicating resource and costs to BT.
The review led BT to conclude that it must rationalise its third
party suppliers and in doing so reduce its cost base. It has followed
through on the conclusions and after an external tendering process,
it has determined that 35 training suppliers will go forward onto the
Preferred Supplier list.
It is known at this stage that Accenture HR Services are one of the
preferred suppliers. The full details and range of training being
supplied is being sought from BT.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
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660
NDI: Wideband Realignment
The Union has been advised that due to some concerns around a
potential realignment of work boundaries with regard to the planning
provision of wideband orders, that a proof of concept trial will take
place. Attached for the information of branches is a copy of an
internal NDI briefing giving further detail. No further information
has been provided with regard to how individuals will be aligned into
the new structure and this is being sought from management.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
Attachment
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POSTAL
661
Christmas Pay Arrangements - Motion 5.57
Branches are advised that a total of six reports were submitted to
the Indoor Department by the published closing date of the 27th
August 2004 in respect of the above.
The issues that have been raised in these reports will now form the
basis of discussions with Royal Mail on the pay arrangements for this
year. Whilst every effort will be made to address the concerns of our
members, Branches/Representatives will appreciate that it will be
difficult to conclude an agreement that meets everyone's
requirements. Information will be circulated to Branches in due
course and I would like to formally record my appreciation to those
Branches/Representatives who responded to my request for information.
All enquiries regarding the content of this paragraph should be
addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary, Indoor Department,
quoting reference number L.645.01(e).
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662
Interim Productivity Scheme - Progress Report - Week 27
We are monitoring the introduction of the new productivity schemes
nationally and within that process we have requested progress
reports. Please find attached the latest progress report I have
received on the deployment of the Mail Centre/Distribution schemes
for your information.
It should be noted that all of the Business' planned headcount
reduction figures are subject to agreements being concluded locally
on how the financial savings should be achieved. In addition, actual
headcount reductions stated include members who have resigned, etc.
All enquiries regarding the content of this paragraph should be
addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary Indoor Department,
quoting reference number L.300.42(a).
Att:
PE52
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663
Royal Mail Uniform Issues
Further to BOB No.27, paragraph 463, additional correspondence with
Royal Mail has recently been exchanged.
This is reproduced below. Branches are reminded that any member who
has not received their uniform within 8 weeks of commencing work is
entitled to a payment of £1.50 a week backdated to commencement
date (see attachment). If Royal Mail's recent policy has been
consistently carried out, it seems likely that this will apply to all
new entrants and it is therefore very important that they are made
aware of their rights in this matter.
Branches are invited to keep headquarters informed of all instances
of difficulties arising from the unagreed policies introduced by management.
Branches are also reminded that LTB 466/04 was circulated recently
asking for your current position on this matter. Please can you
ensure that you send a full response to this request.
Any enquiries to Bob Gibson's Department, Reference 500
Att:
PE53