Union Registers Formal Disagreement on redundancies 

Dear Colleagues

The union has registered a formal disagreement to BT’s plans to begin the first stage of a process that could lead to compulsory redundancy notices being issued early in the New Year to members in Enterprise Service.

It is a fact that management has failed to supply the union with adequate and in some instances any information that is required under agreements and the law.  At a meeting earlier in the week, we asked Enterprise management to suspend the individual consultation process.  They point blank refused.

Now that the disagreement has been registered the status quo ante should prevail, which means no further Individual Consultation letters threatening redundancy should be issued and no further interviews should take place until the disagreement is resolved.

We have agreements with the company that have succeeded in redeploying thousands of individuals.  Why are these not being used in this situation?

As we have previously advised individuals that are in-scope, if you wish to leave the company through voluntary redundancy, the union will not stand in your way.  As important if not more so, are those that do not wish to leave and will be going through a trauma that has been imposed on them through no fault of their own.  This union has an obligation to protect those people and that is what we will do.

What management are doing fails to pass any test of necessity; it is a choice they have made.  Their cavalier approach and blatant disregard for what they are putting individuals through, is shocking, unacceptable and will be resisted by all means at our disposal.

BT has spent millions and millions on sprucing up the company brand.  This is money that would be better spent developing new innovations that really serve BT’s customers and create jobs. Instead, BT’s approach is to slash and burn and attack real people with real families at the worst possible time of the year.

BT hoardings tell us that the Future Can be Taught.  In this case it will also be fought.

All members should ensure that their current contact details are up to date, including home email addresses.

The CWU Enterprise National Team