Barrow DQ update

The following comes from my colleague Sally Bridge who is doing an excellent job on behalf of our members in Barrow DQ.

No. 10
3 November 2010
CWU CAMPAIGN - BT Jobs for Barrow

Dear Colleague
  Further discussions took place on the 1 November with BT to progress and gain more detail on the two main areas of opportunity for redeployment in BT’s Openreach and Consumer Sales.
Openreach
Dave Fitzgerald, Employee Relations Director reported that they are continuing their discussions with Openreach. However, at this point the Service Management roles are not a viable option on the basis that for the majority there is a skills gap between the existing DQ role and the more technical role of Service Management.
  The CWU stated they were disappointed with this response and challenged the requirement for field experience, as in the past DQ advisors have been able to make the transition successfully with little or no technical field experience. The CWU further stated that in our view given adequate support, training and encouragement that many of the Barrow DQ operators could make this transition.
  BT stated that this is not a grading issue as this is not the barrier and they were still continuing discussions which are far from concluded. They agreed they will continue to explore possibilities either within Service Management or other roles within the division.
  The CWU advised that we wanted to take this matter to the Deputy General Secretary (T) along with the CWU Officer who deals with the Openreach in order that further representations can be made directly to Openreach.
Consumer Sales
On the issue of Consumer Sales it was reported that a large level of interest has been shown in the Consumer Sales roles as a result of the visits to Lancaster. BT is now in the process of arranging and setting up assessments in order to ascertain whether individuals have the basic aptitude for the sales environment. BT also reported that they have a further meeting with Consumer Sales this week to progress matters and would report back as a result of that meeting.
  Individuals that have at this point not been able to visit Lancaster will be given that opportunity over the next week or so
Conclusion
It is the view of the CWU that both opportunities in Openreach and Consumer Sales still remain a tangible solution to alternative work being brought to Barrow and that we will be doing everything we can over the next few weeks to pursue both these areas. The CWU will continue to keep you updated as developments occur.

Sally Bridge
CWU Assistant Secretary