Who Is Voting 'YES'? We Are! |
Count Me In - Facebook Link |
| Here is a link to Facebook where David Bowman, Julia Upton and Chris Web put out a 'Live' (obviously now recorded) message to Openreach Members. Access it at https://www.facebook.com/ThecommunicationsUnion/videos/2540107779619643/ Also there is a Rally for a 'YES' vote on Wednesday 18th November at 7pm. This is on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Details will/have been distributed widely. |
Vote Yes - Count Me In |
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Count Me In Ballot - Vote YES! |
Count Me In Ballot - Vote YES! |
OPENREACH – PTT, Flex and Unagreed Incentive Scheme Trial |
| TO CWU MEMBERS IN OPENREACH SD FIELD OPENREACH – PTT, Flex and Unagreed Incentive Scheme Trial You may have received (or heard about) a briefing and invitation to participate in an Incentive Scheme Trial called “My Team Incentive Pilot” being run by Service Delivery in a number of Patches. To be clear this has NOT been agreed with the CWU despite what you may be told to the contrary. While the CWU Openreach National Team have been discussing this issue with the company it was in the context of a “Basket of Measures” with the purpose of removing the use of PTT, for those who have joined the company since 2012, and aligning with the Parking at Home policy. The 3 strands to the discussions were around PTT, Incentives and flex changes. PTT was the main strand and the driver from the CWU but we accepted that the incentives and flex could create an overall package beneficial to both the company and our members, but only as a package. What became clear was that Openreach were focused on the incentive part of the “Basket of Measures”. This was confirmed when their proposal was to trial in 5 patches across the UK; all 5 patches would trial Incentives with 1 patch also trialing PTT and another of the 5 patches also trialing Flex. No patch would trial all 3 strands of the package simultaneously at the beginning but COULD possibly be trialed later in December. This is clearly outwith the principles of what we set out to achieve as a “Basket of Measures” which was made very clear to the company. Discussions continued up to last week where the NT raised a number of questions which have yet to be fully answered. A further meeting was arranged but was cancelled with 20 minutes notice with no explanation as to why. It subsequently came to our attention, via our Regional Co-ordinators, that the company intended to go ahead with their proposal on the Incentive Scheme part without any further discussions with the CWU. “Why” you may ask would the company act in such a way without concluding the discussions with the CWU? Perhaps because there would be less constraint on how the trial was conducted and any changes that they may want to make. Already on the briefing that the company has prepared there are changes to what was discussed with the CWU. For example, the original proposals did not include a measure on the SAM Delivery V Plan potentially reducing reward. We would ask that you consider very carefully whether to participate in this unagreed trial; in fact one of our requests for TMs participating in the trial was for it to be voluntary on an OPT IN basis. That also seems to have changed in the briefing pack. While this may look attractive to some at the moment, without CWU involvement what cost to you in the future as the company seek to drive down costs at every opportunity. It took us many years to get rid of the scourge of Openreach’s previous Performance Management Culture, and UNAGREED schemes like this could lead us back to that place. Members will appreciate why the removal of PTT formed such a key part of these trial negotiations for the CWU, given the importance to our members of this outstanding objective. It is for this reason, that we need to relay our bitter disappointment that Openreach SD management have chosen to proceed in the manner described above. Whilst the CWU are not opposed to Team Based Incentives for our members, as long as they are agreed and fair, unless the Openreach NT reaches agreement on this Trial/Pilot, we would ask you to seriously consider whether you should take part. THE CWU OPENREACH NATIONAL TEAM |
The Newcomer |
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Pensions Triple Lock |
| British workers contribute from their monthly pay so that when they retire they will get a pension. For many years pensions did not keep up with inflation and their quality of life suffered. In recent years this was addressed and the State Pension is slowly returning towards what it should be. It is still well below Minimum Wage levels. BUT THIS IS UNDER THREAT! All workers, young and old, will be disadvantaged if the plans to cut the Triple Lock are allowed to happen. And pensioners will be punished once again. Sign the online petition at https://www.change.org/p/uk-government-protect-the-state-pension to protect everyone's future.   |
Operating Model - Albert |
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Have Your Say |
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Covid-19 Q and A |
 This is a Questions and Answers service from CWU Head Office. Please check regularly as it will be updated when new information is available. |
Accident Reporting |
| There can be times when your employer fails to notify the CWU when members have an accident or a 'Near Miss'. If you are involved in a Safety Related incident, please contact the Branch Safety Co-ordinator immediately. The number is 07968 758072. Your action NOW could save somebody's life! |
Our Hours |
| The latest information about Our Hours (PTT) in BT. Click/Tap the image below to see more. Updated 23 December 2019  |
Policy change for vehicle speed restrictions |
| This year a change was made to the company policy on vehicle speed restrictions which introduced a 60 mph speed limiter on our car derived vehicles. At that time, you told us your concerns about this specific change, and since then we've been working with BT Fleet, the other lines of business, BT Group and the CWU to review the policy. A whole range of safety, environment, service and people factors, have been taken into account during the review and as a result we're going to introduce some changes. Our car derived vehicles - the Corsa's and Fiesta's - will be returned to the previous 70 mph limit. We'll need to make adjustments to the vehicles and this will be done by BT Fleet. We're agreeing the timescales and a programme of work to do this, so as soon as we have more details we'll let you know how it's going to be managed. The restriction on vehicles greater than 500kg (i.e. the Doblo transit type) will remain as they are restricted to 60mph by law to all but motorways already, although we'll be monitoring any issues via the commercial vehicle forum channel. I wanted to tell you this news as soon as the decision was made, as I know it's a topic many of you feel strongly about. I have to admit, after driving a Corsa hire car during a site visit this year I experienced the speed challenge first-hand, and found it a particular issue when driving on the motorway, so I do understand your concerns. It's important to note that we recognise that as a driver you will always have the scope and opportunity to be able to drive in a safe and fuel efficient way where possible, and by making this change we're giving that responsibility back to you. I hope you agree that we've listened and acted on your feedback to make this change, it goes without saying that I expect everyone in EES to drive with care and attention at all times. Please drive safely. Mark BW |
Women |
Wow! That was close. |
If you've just had a Near Miss then get it reported. Next time, you may not be so lucky. Or a workmate may suffer just because of your inaction. Download a FLYER and hang it in your van or office. |
The Voice |
If you put your CWU Voice down and can't find it, read it online |
