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WEEKLY INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
SUMMARY

Attachments or LTB's can be emailed or downloaded from the National Site
Volume 10 Issue 9 Paragraphs 146-166 04 March 2005

SUMMARY
GENERAL
146 Liaison Meetings with CWU Group
147 Headquarters Printing and Reprographic Services
148 Conference Guide - CWU 11th Annual Conference - 12-17 June 2005
149 Equality & Diversity Mandatory Training for Branch Officials (I)
150 Equality & Diversity Mandatory Training for Branch Officials (II)
151 Obituary - Garth (Mac) Hugh Hobley
152 Procedures for Considering Requests for Bucket Collections and Document Distribution etc. at Annual Conference 2005
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
No items this week
HEALTH AND SAFETY
153 BT's OHS/BMI - Proposition 65 and Members Questionnaire
154 Health and Safety (Directors Duties) Bill - Private Members Bill Promoted by Stephen Hepburn MP
155 £650,000 Fines Following the Death of a Woman Employee
156 Royal Mail Engineering Health & Safety
TELECOMS
157 Launch of IT Executive and One IT Update
158 Network Build Wayleave Trial
159 NDI: Implementation and Roll-Out of the Automated Attendance Management (AAM) System
160 BT Wholesale - Automated Attendance Management (AAM) System
161 BT Wholesale Operations - Integrated Network Management (INM)
162 Telewest - Pay & Reward Update
FINANCIAL SERVICES
163 Financial Services News
POSTAL
164 Road Traffic Accidents - Insurance Implications
165 Bullying and Harassment Procedure Review
166 Wand Migration Plan
LETTERS TO BRANCHES
93 23/02/05 Grievance Procedure - Grace Mitchell
94 24/02/05 H & S Directors Duties Private Members Bill - Dave Joyce
95 24/02/05 National Audit Office Report into Financial Support for Post Offices - Andy Furey
96 24/02/05 Timing of Rural Collections - Parliamentary Lobby - Bob Gibson
97 24/02/05 Improved Performance Standards - Bob Gibson
98 15/02/05 POL Pay Negotiations - Andy Furey
99 28/02/05 Hays Pay Review- Brentwood, Warrington, Doncaster - Sally Bridge
100 28/02/05 Newstart - Re-employment in BT - Bill McClory
101 28/02/05 Manpower UK - Proposition 44-46 CWU Contact Details - Sally Bridge
102 28/02/05 BT Payphones - Resourcing - Ian Cuthbert
103 28/02/05 Drivers Changes to Seatbelt Law Tuesday 2 March 2005 - Dave Ward
104 28/02/05 Royal Mail Engineering Health And Safety - Dave Joyce
105 28/02/05 Romec Cleaners' Bonus ref 120.02 - Bob Gibson
106 28/02/05 Warranty Bonus 2004 (Errata) - Ray Ellis
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GENERAL
146
Liaison Meetings with CWU Group MPs
Meetings with CWU supported MPs have now been arranged for 2005 and, for your information, I list below the dates of the meetings and those nominated to attend:
15 March
John Holmes, Joe Malone, Andy Kerr, Karen Rose and a South West Region representative.
19 April
John Holmes, Steve Fishwick,
Manny Blake, Graham Colk and a North West Region representative.
Billy Hayes
General Secretary

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147
Headquarters Printing and Reprographic Services
Branches and Representatives will wish to know that CWU Headquarters have recently acquired new reprographics equipment. The purpose of broadcasting this information is to inform you that we are now able to offer a print service to branches that we believe will be within a price range that you will find competitive. Amongst the services we can provide are colour or black & white posters, leaflets, booklets etc. It is not possible to produce a price list as prices will vary dependent on each individual job based on quantity, timescale, delivery requirements etc. If you would like more information about this service or wish to receive a quote for a particular piece of work then please ring or email Jacquie Winter, Acting Head of Post & Reprographics. 020 8971 7218
jwinter@cwu.org.

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148
Conference Guide - CWU 11th Annual Conference - 12-17 June 2005
The union will once again be producing a conference guide which will give details of events taking place at Annual Conference.
Please send information concerning any fringe meetings or social events for inclusion in the guide to Peter Dodd by no later than 15 April 2005.
Branches and Regions are once again invited to insert fraternal greetings adverts in the guide. For further details contact Peter Dodd on 020 8971 7331.

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149
Equality & Diversity Mandatory Training for Branch Officials (I)
In line with Conference policy, we now require branches to submit applications for the following mandatory Equality & Diversity courses.
This course is being held in the North East Region:
Thursday 14th April - Lincoln
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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150
Equality & Diversity Mandatory Training for Branch Officials (II)
In line with Conference policy, we now require branches to submit applications for the following mandatory Equality & Diversity courses.
This course is being held in the Scotland Region:
Tuesday, 26th April - Fife College
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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151
Obituary - Garth (Mac) Hugh Hobley
On the early hours of Sunday 16th January 2005, we said goodbye to a branch member, a friend, a colleague, an honourable man and a model citizen; Garth (Mac) Hugh Hobley, of Bletchley, Milton Keynes. Mac lived only to the age of 64, and although ill for some time, he battled through his illness very bravely and carried on with life as normally as possible, yet at the same time not wishing to tell anyone that he was unwell. Mac was a member of the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Branch, the Oxon & Bucks Branch the Milton Keynes Branch and the Bletchley Branch of the CWU, NCU and POEU. Over the years, in fact since 1974 through to 2004, Mac held various positions in the POEU, NCU & CWU: Chairman, Assistant Secretary, Vice-Chairman, Branch Auditor, Bletchley Park H Block Representative, Welfare Liaison Officer, Welfare Fund Trustee, Conference 'A' Delegate, Internal Delegate, Reserve Internal Delegate, Conference Observer, and of course Conference Steward. Mac was also awarded the Union's highest honour, the Gold Badge.
Mac started his working life with BT as an engineer, and then later during 1967 went on to become an engineering Trainer at BT's Bletchley Park. Amongst other things, Mac trained students on Strowger relay adjustment, which caused many students to tear their hair out, but not Mac, as he said, 'it's easy, just like that - perfect'. Mac really enjoyed helping people, and if a student failed a course, he always felt it was his fault, even though Mac had given the students a 100% of his time. Whilst at Bletchley Park, Mac was involved in strike action on a few occasions, he was very good at organising pickets, and as for those who crossed the picket line; well Mac never spoke to them again - as far as he was concerned they had let him and the Branch down - he took these matters very seriously. Over the years we knew Mac, he gave us good advice, he made us laugh, and above all he was dependable and hard working. Mac really was one of those mates who never let you down, and you could always rely on his support no matter what time of day. In his Union work, Mac was one of those people who stayed in the background, he never wanted the limelight, but he always knew what was going on and he was spot on with his paperwork.
Mac was a very socially responsible person, and was very passionate about everything he was involved with. Aside from his Union work he was a local Magistrate for 24 years in Bletchley, and then Milton Keynes. He became Chairman of the bench in 1995, and was very proud of this achievement, and used to say he was the first Labour chairman of the bench in Milton Keynes. Mac excelled at this role, encouraging younger members of the bench and taking an active role in the community. Mac was also a member of the Thames Valley Police Authority and he was involved locally with MIND (the leading mental health charity in the UK). He became a guide at Bletchley Park Museum and Mac and his wife Ann, also raised money for the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, which gave them both a lot of pleasure.
Unbeknown to many, Mac also played in a local musical band called 'The Greenhill Boys', who specialise in bluegrass and country and western style music. The Greenhill Boys played at Mac's funeral at Christ the Cornerstone Church in Central Milton Keynes. The service was conducted by the Reverend Steve Barnes, the Chaplain from Willen Hospice, and the speakers at the service were Di Payne, a leading local magistrate, and Mick Page, Assistant Chief Constable, Thames Valley Police. There were approximately 350 people at Mac's funeral, which is a mark of the high regard and utmost respect that people had for the man. Mac has been laid to rest at Olney Green Burial Ground in Bedfordshire. On the way to the burial ground, we almost thought we could hear Mac laughing at one point, as the Police Motorcycle Escort ensured that all the traffic slowed to a very sedentary pace up the hill to Olney. He would have loved making other people wait!
Although Mac had been a delegate to Union Conference for many years, in later years he became a Conference Steward. His big claim to fame was not allowing ex General Secretary, Derek Hodgson, into the conference when the doors were closed during a card vote. It could have caused a riot, but Mac's attitude was that if members were not allowed in, then neither were Officers. When someone asked him about it he said 'those are the rules'. Anyone who knew Mac will tell you that he certainly knew how to make people laugh, but always with a totally deadpan delivery, so sometimes you never quite knew if he was serious or not. For many years he was our companion at CWU Conference, where he used to join us for breakfast, keep us entertained, and sharpen his tongue in readiness for the day's proceedings.
During Mac's time as a member and officer of the Union, he really helped a lot of members with their problems and fought for a better future for all members of the CWU. He really did have an off the wall sense of humour sometimes, like the occasion when ex-NEC member, Pete Burrage, was at home recovering from having some teeth removed - Mac took him a get well soon present - peanut brittle! The time that the Enigma Machine was stolen from Bletchley Park, and subsequently returned, via Jeremy Paxman, to the Police in Milton Keynes. Mac took a very avid interest in the story, but couldn't understand why the Police didn't seem very close to finding the culprits. In exasperation he said to the Assistant Chief Constable, 'don't you know what the Enigma machine is?', 'of course', said the Assistant Chief Constable, 'well then', said Mac, 'if you really want to find the thieves', 'why don't you type in the words "who stole me"'! Mac always reminded us, if we were on a long call to him, 'do you realise I am paying for this call?', or he would say, 'speak very quickly as I am paying for this call!'.
Mac was a great mate, and will be sadly missed by all of use who had the pleasure to have known him, We still cannot believe he has passed away. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the staff at the Milton Keynes Hospice for the care and attention they gave Mac during his illness. Mac is survived by his wife Ann, and his sons Mark and Peter, Mark's partner Bethan and their son Brenig, and not forgetting his beloved AJS Motorcycle.
Andy Bushrod & Pete Burrage, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Branch CWU.

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152
Procedures for Considering Requests for Bucket Collections and Document Distribution etc. at Annual Conference 2005
Bucket Collections

Distribution of Documents at General Conference

Any queries on this paragraph should be referred to Carmel McCudden, at cmccudden@cwu.org or by phone on 0208 971 7260

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HEALTH AND SAFETY
153
BT's OHS/BMI - Proposition 65 and Members Questionnaire
Proposition 65 Stated:
"This Conference is appalled at theapparent poor standard of many of thedoctors employed by BMI on BT's OHS. We believe that many doctors do nothave a proper understanding of theDisability Discrimination Act, which is paramount when examining workers.
Conference instructs the CWU to conducta members survey, possibly through Branches, to uncover any problems encountered by members. The CWU should then make strong representations to BT in order to improve the service".
Can I ask Branches to continue to send in members' experiences with the service provided by BT's OHS/BMI so that we can monitor the service and address issues as they arise.
Also, can I ask Branches to make available the attached questionnaire (G3) to members who have used BT's OHS/BMI since June 2004. Can I ask that completed responses be returned to me by the end of April 2005.
Any enquiries on this issue should be addressed to Dave Joyce, National Health, Safety & Environment Officer, quoting reference NS140.
Att: G3

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154
Health and Safety (Directors Duties) Bill - Private Members Bill Promoted by Stephen Hepburn MP
Further to my previous reports on the subject of Corporate Accountability and the new Corporate Killing Law, the above Private Members Bill designed to give directors new health and safety responsibilities will receive its second reading in the House of Commons on 4th March. Labour MP Stephen Hepburn's Bill will require large companies to make a director at board level responsible for health and safety. In addition directors would face imprisonment in cases where serious breaches of safety law result in death.
In the past year workplace deaths rose by 4% with 235 workers killed including BT and Royal Mail workers and the HSE estimates that some 70% of workplace fatalities are as a result of management failures. The number of workers injured at work has also risen by 9% on the previous year with 30,666 workers suffering major injuries. It is clear that the existing law has failed to inspire a culture of accident prevention in industry. It is the view of the CWU that this will remain the case unless and until the safety of workers and the public are specified as boardroom priorities in law.
Stephen Hepburn's Bill seeks to achieve this, not by imposing onerous burdens on directors but by requiring that all company directors do what many responsible company directors will already be doing - that is taking all reasonable steps to ensure that their company is complying with health and safety law. It is important to recognise that the draft Bills on Corporate Manslaughter and company law announced in the Queen's Speech, while welcome will not introduce an obligation of this kind and on its own will not motivate senior managers and Directors. If the Government's impending law reform on Corporate Killing is to be targeted only holding corporations to account who commit "exceptionally grave offences" with a "high threshold" and as government does not propose to invoke individual liability against directors and senior managers within that legislation, then effective accountability and improved standards of work related health and safety will not be achieved via the introduction of such legislation alone.
The CWU strongly supports the proposal for making corporate leadership personally responsible for serious breaches of health and safety law within their organisations as our Union believes the the key to motivating directors and senior managers in companies is to make real the threat of personal liability upon directors and senior managers.
The Government and HSC gave a commitment in the "Revitalising Health & Safety" Strategy in 2000 to introduce new positive statutory health and safety responsibilities on directors and senior managers which currently doesn't exist. Action Point 11 of the Revitalising Strategy Statement stated that: The Health and Safety Commission will develop a code of practice on directors' responsibilities for health and safety, in conjunction with stakeholders. It is intended that the code of practice will, in particular, stipulate that organisations should appoint an individual director for health and safety, or responsible person of similar status (for example in organisations where there is no board of directors). The Health and Safety Commission will also advise Ministers on how the law would need to be changed to make these responsibilities statutory so that directors and responsible persons of similar status are clear about what is expected of them in their management of health and safety. It is the intention of Ministers, to introduce legislation on these responsibilities. This has never been implemented.
Voluntary codes and programmes just do not work! The HSC/E have produced some excellent guidance, leaflets and research about the savings to industry of good health and safety. However it is apparent that industry does not take notice of this advice, information and findings and it is therefore clear to our Union that the "advise more and enforce less" proposal would do nothing to make British workers and workplaces safer. If the HSC/E are going to do more to persuade industry, employers and their representative bodies such as the CBI and Institute of Directors to take more notice then the resources of HSC/E and LAs must continue to be primarily directed towards core activities of traditional enforcement and action is urgently needed in respect of substantially increasing such activities.
At present directors and senior managers can legally insulate themselves from what is going on in the company despite those individuals being the people with the most power. This is bad for Safety and bad for accountability. In view of the fact that the proposed new Corporate Manslaughter Offence will exclude personal liability and in view of the issues raised in this CD, is vitally important, that government acts to introduce new positive statutory health and safety responsibilities on directors and senior managers without further delay.
On behalf of CWU I have indicated our full support for Stephen Hepburn's Bill and have briefed CWU supported MPs requesting that they register their support for the Bill. I would also request that Branches, Safety Reps and Union Political activists contact local MPs similarly requesting that they give their personal support for the bill.
All enquires concerning the above should be addressed to Dave Joyce National, Health, Safety & Environment Officer quoting ref: EX13.

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155
£650,000 Fines Following the Death of a Woman Employee
Fines totalling £650,000 have been imposed on British Sugar plc following the death of a woman employee at their factory in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted British Sugar and a Plant contractor after the worker was run-over by a shoveling vehicle at the factory. They were found guilty of breaching Sections of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act (HSWA) 1974 for failing to ensure that workers were not exposed to safety risks and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 for failing to undertake risk assessments.
The Company failed to segregate pedestrians from areas where vehicles were in operation adequately such as marked pedestrian routes and fitting fixed mirrors to improve drivers' vision, to prevent the risk of pedestrians coming into contact with the moving vehicles and so failed to ensure that workplace transport was operated safely at the site. There was also inadequate safety training for vehicle operators.
Commenting on the judgment CWU National Health and Safety Officer Dave Joyce said British Sugar made massive profits of £175m last year thanks to support from UK consumers and taxpayers and a hugely protected market under Europe's Common Agriculture Policy (CAP). They monopolise of sugar beet production in the UK and their majority shareholders, the Weston Family, receive £27,000 a day from their British Sugar shares alone, while sugar cane cutters in Ethiopia earn £1 a day. This fine is less than half a percent of the companies annual profit and no senior manager or director has been held to account for the reckless management failures which brought about the loss of another worker's life. Dave added, this case is of particular interest and relevance to CWU Safety Representatives as CWU members employed in our Distribution Centres in particular face similar risks that require sufficient controls to be maintained as do yard areas in Mail Centres and Delivery Offices. Workplace transport (lift trucks, tugs and carriers etc) is the second biggest cause of fatal accidents in British workplaces, killing hundreds and injuring thousands of people every year. The vast majority of these accidents are preventable.
Dave Joyce, National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

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156
Royal Mail Engineering Health & Safety
For the information of Branches with Royal Mail Processing Engineering members, reproduced below is the text of a letter that has been sent to Chris Portman the newly appointed Head Of Royal Mail Engineering Safety and copied to other senior RME managers, IR/HR managers, the Head of RMG Safety and the HSE. The content of the letter is self explanatory and Branches will be kept updated on developments:
"28 February 2005
Chris Portman
Head of Safety
Royal Mail Engineering
26 Golf Links Lane
Wellington
Telford TF1 2DT
Dear Chris
Royal Mail Engineering Health & Safety
We spoke some time ago, shortly after your appointment as Royal Mail Engineering Head of Safety. You rang me initially to inform me of your new position and we had a general discussion about current state of play, the issues and problems. As you know I very much welcome your appointment and pointed out that the CWU had been calling for action on Engineering Health and Safety issues for some time. In fact you are aware that this is a concern I had raised previously with Adrian Warren former Royal Mail Head of Safety, long before he left the Business who appeared not to give engineering health and safety issues any priority at all. I mentioned the problem to Alan St John Holt Royal Mail Group Head of Safety and spoke to Steve Catterall HSE Head of Utilities Group about it when we met at HWDC and later at Wolverhampton Mail Centre. Dave Marshall who was based at Swindon undertook a limited amount of Engineering Safety work but the Engineering Safety Handbook he produced years ago is now way out of date and was seen as inadequate by the HSE.
There has been a huge gap in Royal Mail regarding the organisation of health and safety for Engineers which has basically never existed in any centrally co-ordinated way with issues dealt with very piecemeal and haphazardly. Royal Mail have in fact been riding their luck and counting on the expertise, skills and common sense of engineers to get them by on safety, very much "flying by the seat of their pants" deciding a course of action as you go along, using Engineers own initiative and perceptions rather than a pre-determined safety policy, planning, risk assessments and safe systems of work. This couldn't have been demonstrated more vividly than with the issue regarding "Interlock Overrides" following a HSE inspection at Leeds Mail Centre a couple of years back. Following this came all the problems with the TOPS 2000 (Large Flats Sorting Machine) which was finally resolved with HSE involvement. You will recall the discussions we had previously when we met during your previous role at HWDC.
Following your appointment, you said you would firstly write to me - It never happened. You said you would secondly arrange a meeting between the head of Royal Mail Engineering, yourself and me - that unfortunately never happened either. I indicated to you that I wanted to set up an RME/CWU Joint Working Party to Review Engineering Health and Safety looking at Risk Assessments and Safe Systems of Work, using the Royal Mail Vehicle Services Model as a way forward. Additionally I said that I would nominate four of our senior Engineering Area Safety Reps to work with you and assist in the task. These would be Kenny Wright (Edinburgh), Steve Howlett (London), Brian Mordue (Newcastle) and Dave Curtis (Canterbury).
I have now received information regarding a recent accident at Glasgow Mail Centre where a member received a severe laceration to his hand while changing a paddle spring on the NP4000. The wound apparently required 5 stitches so I am told and will be reportable under RIDDOR. Our Processing Engineering Area Safety Rep attempted, with the local manager to locate a risk assessment or a safe system of work for this task only to find one wasn't available. Our Safety Rep has reiterated the view I put to you when we spoke before Christmas and before that when we spoke at HWDC with the HSE present and before that when I raised the issue with Adrian Warren. That is that a review of all Risk Assessments and Safe Systems of Work is required for Engineering tasks "urgently" to ensure the obvious deficiencies are rectified and legal compliance achieved.
Because of the disjointed and disorganised way Engineering has muddled its way along in the past we don't know if any local risk assessments have been completed either. There may have been some good work done in certain Mail Centres that warrants generic adoption but we just don't know and its just not good enough. Even if a Safe System Of Work does in fact exist for the NP4000 Paddle Change, then its not worth the paper its written on if the workforce are unaware of it through failures to inform, instruct, train and supervise them which is another requirement of the Health and Safety At Work Act and subordinate regulations that is not being complied with.
However I doubt very much if a Risk Assessment or Safe System Of Work does exist for the NP4000 task in question which will be typical of many such Engineering tasks. It would be interesting to know what is on the existing SSOW database if a database exists? I would be interested in what you have found since taking up your new position. As I said when we last spoke, RME and the CWU need to sit down and develop an agreed approach to Safe Systems Of Work for all equipment in general, firstly identifying the obvious high risk areas and hazardous tasks working down through the tasks on each piece of kit and possibly getting a number of JWPs set up for each machine, feeding back to a central joint body. This is what I am keen to organise and am willing to offer CWU support through the expertise of our Area Safety Reps in RME.
I understand Chris that you are to arrange a meeting some time in March to discuss LSM machine issues, that's news to me! bearing in mind that I reported to our Engineering Safety Reps and PTS Dept at CWU HQ that I was waiting to hear from you. LSM machines are not the only issue requiring debate. We really do need to get Engineering Health and Safety properly organised and I am amazed at the "shilly-shally".
On another linked subject, during the discussions on the new Royal Mail Group Health and Safety Representation and Training Agreement, I was informed by the Royal Mail negotiators that Royal Mail Engineering (RME) management had forced the negotiators to withdraw a Safety Representative structure previously agreed in the talks and I have written to Sandy Batho strongly expressing my displeasure with such an unacceptable move, setting out the legal obligations on Royal Mail Engineering in that respect. I was told that Royal Mail Engineering would be contacting me to discuss the issue - Again I have heard nothing.
I look forward to hearing from you on the above issues and hope we can get together shortly to organise a way forward in the best interests of Royal Mail, Royal Mail Engineering and the CWU.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer"
Any enquiries should be addressed to Dave Joyce, National Health, Safety & Environment Officer, quoting reference No. C1/05.

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TELECOMS
157
Launch of IT Executive and One IT Update
Attached for the information of Branches is a copy of an internal BT announcement on the creation of an IT Executive. The purpose and role of the IT Executive will be to determine BT's strategic IT priorities and the focus of internal resources to deliver the set priorities.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Attachment

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158
Network Build Wayleave Trial
Network Build have notified the Union of a trial taking place at the moment which is aimed at reducing the backlog of unprocessed Wayleave payment requests which currently sit within BT.
This work sits within ND&I however, due to the amount of backlog requests, a way to quickly clear the backlog has been sought. This is not only so that requests can be cleared promptly but also that thorough checks can be made ensuring that BT does not make any unnecessary payment. The Wayleave claim will be investigated by making a site visit to determine whether or not payment should be made (this means, in basic terms, a simple count of BT poles and duct/cables on private land). Appropriate training and support will be given by the Wayleave team. If more complex work is needed, this will be carried out by ND&I.
This project is short term only - just to clear the backlog of work (currently 5000 unprocessed Wayleave claims) - the normal requests will be dealt with in the usual way by ND&I.
The trial consists of a small number of people within Build including some who are currently unable to carry out a full range of duties or who are returning from long term sick together with existing Overhead Surveyors who would be given this work as infill, undertaken as part of their normal tour of duty. In response to the issues raised by the Union, management have given assurances that individuals' existing attendance patterns will be honoured. They will also ensure that where people are returning from long spells of sick absence or have restricted duties, appropriate measures and checks such as that which are currently undertaken will be used to ensure suitability.
The trial is being run nationally, involving around 50 people and is due to end on 16/3/05. There will be a review and discussion regarding a possible new work stream if the trial is successful. This would, of course, be discussed further with the Union
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary

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159
NDI: Implementation and Roll-Out of the Automated Attendance Management (AAM) System
NDI management have advised the Union of the proposed introduction of Automated Attendance Manager (AAM) to the ND&I planning arena. This is a standard system already in use in the Network Operations sector of BT for attendance management that enables auto-logging of absences, annual leave and overtime of team members and has links into NJR. In order to improve the management of attendance/leave and to fully optimise/maximise ND&I planning resources to meet Customer demand through key holiday and demand periods aligned with any geographical initiatives, it is proposed to introduce AAMv6 into the planning arena by the financial year end.
The following is a brief synopsis of the proposed next steps.
AAMv6 will be introduced into Broadband Wholelife Cost Solutions (One-Step), Customer Solutions (Netsolve), Wideband Cable Planning, Newsites, and eRecords and rolled out in a phased manner from mid-March 2005 with a projected completion target date of July 2005. (Note: Routing Solutions although involved are already on the system).
1. Roll-out
Following on from the successfully completed trials on the use of AAMv5 in the NRJA64 (West Midlands, Wideband) and its deployment within the Routing Solutions organisation it is proposed to roll-out AAMv6 into the ND&I planning teams encompassing approximately 2300 team members.
Roll-out will be phased from mid-March 2005 with a projected completion target date of July 2005 and will consist of 3 strategic phases:

System support will be provided by the existing Network Operations AMU in accordance with the initial agreements to increase the staffing levels to accommodate the increased workload, creating additional posts to service the ND&I planning requirements.
2. Training

3. Benefits for Team Members

4. Benefits for Managers

Further detail and assurances are being sought on the thresholds to apply, the creation of new leave groups and at what level consultation takes place to any proposed changes.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary

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160
BT Wholesale - Automated Attendance Management (AAM) System
The Union has been notified of an issue regarding a small number of annual leave errors which have been caused by a systems error on the Automated Attendance Management (AAM) System. The error impacts on 44 people in total - 37 people in Build, 4 people in Network Operations and 3 people in ND&I as follows:
16 people will have more leave than originally recorded on AAM
28 people will have less leave than originally recorded on AAM
BT Wholesale management propose that for those affected by the system error:

The error on the system having been identified has been corrected. Further information is being sought on the nature of the error and its duration.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary

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161
BT Wholesale Operations - Integrated Network Management (INM)
A number of factors have prevented BT management articulating its details as to the future and direction of the Integrated Network Management strategy. As an interim positioning of where BT Wholesale currently is with this project, an internal bulletin has been issued and is attached for the information of Branches.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary
Attachment

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162
Telewest - Pay & Reward Update
Further to Branch Officials Bulletin No.7/2005, paragraph 123, Telewest will be looking at the time performance of BBEs in relation to actual work carried out to calculate the accuracy of the current points matrix. This should provide more accurate data as it will be based on work carried out on a broad spectrum of homes, architecture, distance, and not just on the perceived laboratory condition installation.
There is now agreement that all Accomplished BBEs can have one Developing month and not be barred from going for Outstanding at the next panel review - as long as they achieve the current 4 out of 6 months rated at Outstanding.
In Quarter 4, BBE attainment of bonus was 50.34%. In the North Region (December over 65%) and South West, but South East was poor and this is subject to further investigation.
Brian Healy
Assistant Secretary

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FINANCIAL SERVICES
163
Financial Services News
Information for branches and reps in the Alliance and Leicester, iPSL and Securicor takes place directly between HQ and the branches/reps concerned. Newsletters are also placed in the members only section of the website. This has been the practice for years and means that this section of the BOB is never utilised. Consequently, the section is being discontinued. If there is a need to circulate information on a wider basis it will be done via LTB, website or on an ad hoc basis via the BOB
Nigel Cotgrove
Assistant Secretary

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POSTAL
164
Road Traffic Accidents - Insurance Implications
Following information being supplied from a number of areas, we wrote to Royal Mail on 5th November last year concerning a document which was being produced by management and handed to drivers who had been involved in an accident while driving for the business indicating that it was the responsibility of the individual concerned to notify their private insurance provider.
We have not received the courtesy of a response from Royal Mail and a strong reminder has been sent.
In the meantime, Branches should note that we do not accept there is any necessity to do this, unless it is a specific requirement of the policy which our members have with their insurance company.
Any enquiries to Bob Gibson's Department, ref. 300.02

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165
Bullying and Harassment Procedure Review
Reproduced below for the information of branches and representatives is the content of LTB number 75 circulated to branches on the 14th February 2005. Branch Secretaries should ensure that the content of the above mentioned LTB and this BOB paragraph are circulated to all appropriate Area/Unit Representatives so they are able to participate in the consultation exercise.
My thanks in anticipation for your cooperation and assistance in respect to the above.
No. 75/2005
Ref: MA/DJ
Date: 14 February 2005
To all Branch Secretaries with Members in Royal Mail Members
Dear Colleagues
Bullying & Harassment Procedure Review
The review of the Bullying & Harassment Complaints Procedure introduced in 2004 is currently taking place.
It will be of the utmost importance that we have the views and opinions on all aspects of the agreement and how it is being implemented from all branches.
Could all branches please send these views to my department by Friday, 18 March 2005.
It will be our intention to keep all branches fully informed on the progress of the review.
All enquiries regarding the content of this paragraph should be addressed to Ray Ellis, Assistant Secretary quoting reference MA/DJ.

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166
Wand Migration Plan
Further to BOB 5 para 94, 4th February 2005 reproduced below is the latest communication that was issued recently to Branch Secretaries, Area/Unit Processing Representatives of Offices of Exchange (OEs) and Divisional Representatives responsible for processing issues, the content of which is self-explanatory.
Heathrow Worldwide Distribution Centre Update on Migration Schedule for Offices of Exchange
Purpose of brief:
To communicate the latest situation with the schedule for the migration of traffic from existing OEs to HWDC
Audience: Affected Employees
Timescales: Immediate: w/c 28th February 2005
Contact: Andy Pickering, HWDC project, 01753 484652, postline 5790 4652
As you know from the communication that went out at the end of January, the programme for the transfer of international traffic to HWDC is currently on hold while we re-assess the capacity and capability of HWDC to take on additional traffic.
We have made good progress with the detailed modelling work that will help us to identify when HWDC can handle additional mail. However, this is a major task, and it is clear that it will be several more weeks before we will be able to develop the new migration schedule.
During the past few weeks, we have continued our focus on driving up performance under the roof, so that we will be able to consistently clear to workplan and create the capacity to handle more traffic.
In particular, we are tackling three main areas of the automation system where under performance is restricting our ability to take on any additional mail:

There have, however, been a number of successes over the past month:

We will continue to update you on a monthly basis and to actively involve CWU and CMA in developing the revised programme.
All enquiries regarding the content of this paragraph should be addressed to Martin Collins, Assistant Secretary, Indoor Department, quoting reference number L.640.20 (o).

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