CWU ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2022

SECRETARY'S TELECOMS & FINANCIAL SERVICES REPORT

Motion 10: Seeking an agreed process with BT to allow branches to report or raise issues relating to managers. Agreement would cover a reporting process the action after this and any possible outcomes.

This was carried and instructs the T&FSE to carry out the motion set to them.

Motion 11: Looks to enter a discussion with the recruiting lines of business. To set out benchmarks for standards in training in new recruits. This should include a review of current training and education and a pedagogically competent buddying system of support afterwards. 

This was carried and sets out the instructions to the T&FSE to enter discussion.

Motion 13: Looks at the “You Say Survey” and how it has a negative Impact on our members. Also reports of members being pressured to fill in surveys to allegedly boost their manager’s bonus. Including the likes of filling it in front of management, tracking who has completed the survey, people being told to fill it in on personal time and the possibility that results can be viewed in real time all this causing concern from our members. 

This Was carried instructing the T&FSE to engage with the company to make the correct technical and policy changes necessary to ensure concerns raised are appropriately addressed. Otherwise, they should issue advice to members not complete the survey.

Motion 18: Negotiate with BT Group that those suffering with long COVID are given full recognition of the condition. Also, imperative that adequate support and help at work given whether it is physical or psychological.

Carried and instructs the T&FSE to carry out negotiates.

Motion 23&24: Looks at the poor state of buildings in the BT estate heating and boilers (23) and invisible disabilities for toilet use and signage (24). Looking to negotiate about repairing broken boilers so members can work comfortably while working inside and if not possible make sure any temporary heating provide is sufficient enough to heat office, welfare and other large areas like MDF’s. Also approach BT group to support the CWU with a campaign to raise awareness and replace their current disabled toilet signs with “Not every Disability is Visible” Signage.

These both carried and instructs the T&FSE to carry out discussions.

Motion 35: Lines of business (LOB) within BT Group are using Assisted job search (AJS) to terminate team members who are no longer able to fulfil their full contractual roles due to ill health. The motion looks to re-affirm with BT Group that the process is to be used to support and enable team members to find alternative job roles. Setting out clear responsibilities of both managers and team members to find alternative job roles.

This was carried and to confirm with the company is being used correctly.

Motion 37: To establish a framework agreement which sets out how flex centres operate. A national and local consultative structure, a clear and fair grading structure. Requirement for the job descriptions to set out clearly what the role details and where the boundaries are between different grades and roles. Consultation and agreement on all new products and workstreams prior to the work being placed in the flex centres. Job security guarantees for those in non-flex centre location who are impacted by the transfer of work/functions. 

This motion passed with branch sectary Anton speaking in support of this motion. With this motion passing and instructing the T&FSE to work with Openreach to achieve what has been set out. Motion 40 fell due to this motion passing as motion 37 covers 40 in more detail and covers its points around pay and grades.

Motion 51&52: Motion 51 looks to ensure Openreach’s location and transformation strategy maintains as many desk-based location as possible utilising smart and home working to maximize job security. Motion 52 looks to maintain any jobs moved due to the better workplace location is advertised at the same grade as the work carried out at the previous location.

Both these motions carried instructing the T&FSE to engage with BT and Openreach about these motions.

Motion 77: This motion was re admitted back to the agenda on the day of conference after a vote. It looks to grow PlusNet membership in the union by copying the EE model to try and achieve recognition in PlusNet with new joiners given a period of 12 months exemption on membership fees.

This motion was carried.

Emergency Motion 1: Was carried around BTs failure to consult or seek an acceptable agreement to the 2022 pay review. Information at later date.

Emergency Motion 2: Was carried around the BT Supply chain announcement in early April 2022. Information at later date.

Emergency Motion 3: This motion was around BT Groups recent reassessments of the Repayments Planners (RPE Role) and the unsatisfactory outcome of placing the role as an E Grade within the People Framework. The Openreach NT and wider CWU believe this role should be a team member role. The Openreach National Team have formally escalated this to the DGST and T&FSE chair. 

With this motion passing it now instructs the T&FSE to use all means to maintain this role within the team member structure. It is worth noting our Branch Secretary Anton spoke on behalf of this motion in support.

Emergency Motion 4: Was around Virgin media O2 (VM02) announcement of imposing a un agreed final pay offer to ex Telefonica O2 members in the CWU. The CWU VMO2 national team unanimously rejected VMO2’s final offer of a two-year deal. With a consultative ballot showing in favour of the national team’s rejection with a 95.7% yes to reject on a 72.5% turnout.

This motion carried resulting in the T&FSE being asked to use all means to achieve a negotiated settlement 

Emergency Motion 6: Was on the TUPE of BT Consumer members into EE. This Motion was carried and instructs the T&FSE to negotiate all current terms and conditions including agreements to be carried over with affected members and future employment protected under the BT terms and conditions. That current union representation arrangements and engagement at local levels are maintained. Branches are invited to future announcements / sessions so that we can support members through this change. Members are kept updated and fully informed and involved throughout.

T&FSE = Telecom & Financial Services executive. 

Motions can either be Carried, Fall or remitted. If a motion is carried it instructs those in the motion to carry out a duty but no time scale of when or what order it will get done unless stated.

Section 6 was a closed session.