Barrow DQ latest

Dear Colleague,


The CWU has continued to press BT for a statement regarding the technical and infrastructure issues which has been instrumental in why the BTCS leadership team agreed to announce the closure of Barrow DQ.
  The statement that BT has now provided the union is that Barrow was always included as one of the possible call centre options as CS had been initially advised by BT technical experts that connectivity to Barrow was feasible. However, at the order stage with 21CN delivery, CS was told that Barrow was actually not feasible as 21CN infrastructure had not been delivered to that part of the North West.
  The rest of BT infrastructure is all based on 21C and if Barrow remains as an operator site CS will be forced into a two tier network. Barrow’s location has always been problematic in that full diversity of routing is not possible whatever the infrastructure.
  Despite this statement and the technical problems the CWU believes that alternative work should have been identified prior to any announcement being made and will continue to apply maximum pressure to senior BT management to provide a ‘total solution’ which involves BT bringing suitable alternative work to Barrow, either online or offline for all of the advisors affected by this announcement.
  I am pleased to advise you that as a direct result of the campaign and representations that have been made, BT are seeking to meet with the union and our first formal meeting has been arranged for 24 August at BT Centre, London.
  It has been brought to my attention that a number of members are scared that they will have no job with BT after 28 January 2011. I would like to reassure all members that the CWU has a policy of no compulsory redundancy in BT which to-date has been upheld by the company. The CWU will not under any circumstances accept any compulsory redundancies and has therefore written to BT seeking that they honour this commitment.
  The CWU will fight to protect the jobs in Barrow. Furthermore, at this stage nobody should be opting for leaver payments or making any decisions until all the options have been identified.
  As a result of our representation and following the HR sessions this week, BT has agreed that in the next few weeks open sessions will be arranged for you to meet BT and the CWU in order that you can have direct access to both BT managers and senior union officials to raise your concerns and understand the support that has been put in place. I will of course update you when these sessions are confirmed.
  Finally, the CWU has been liaising with prominent members of the Barrow community who are keen to support our campaign to secure jobs for Barrow. It is essential that local organisations, businesses and politicians are aware of what is happening and that they are proactive in their support to secure BT jobs in Barrow.
  The CWU will continue to keep you updated as developments occur.
Yours sincerely,

Sally Bridge
CWU Assistant Secretary