Romec pay ballot

Romec pay deal ballot


27th August 2010

Engineers and cleaners in Romec will get a basic wage increase of 2.75 per cent if they accept an improved pay and allowances package negotiated by the CWU. Engineers will also receive an additional £680 on basic rates from April 2011 while cleaners will have 15 per cent of total bonus money consolidated into pay from January 2011.
  National officers Ray Ellis and Bob Gibson are calling on members to back the draft deal, after talks with the company saw bosses increase their initial offer.
  If the agreement is endorsed, hard-working Romec staff will receive an immediate 2.25 percent pay increase - backdated to April - with a further 0.5 per cent to come in October.
  The main engineering bonus scheme will be "bought out" with a lump sum payment of £800. A new scheme will be introduced from 1st January 2011. CWU has secured the potential for a leave purchase scheme for cleaning grades with effect from April 2011 and also a full review of the cleaners' bonus scheme. Next year's pay review date will come forward to January.
  Bob Gibson described the draft deal as "reasonable in the current circumstances and certainly much improved on the opening offer from the company." Ray Ellis agreed, adding: "That we have been able to consolidate a significant proportion of bonus earnings."
  Ballot papers went out to Romec members yesterday. The poll closes on Tuesday September 14 and the CWU is urging a big Yes vote.
  "We have no hesitation in recommending that members vote Yes in favour of the deal," said Bob & Ray.

Barrow DQ latest

This is the latest development in he fight to save jobs at Barrow DQ. Congratulations and best wishes to my colleague Sally Bridge for all the work she is doing on the members behalf. I hope the outcome is beneficial to all our members there. Please show your support by visiting Barrow DQ's Facebook site.

31 August 10

CWU CAMPAIGN - BT Jobs for Barrow

Dear Colleague,
                       BT has advised the Union that they are arranging visits to Liberata which is an outsource company that deals with a revenues and benefits helpline for the local council tax. It is our further understanding that there are jobs available both full and part-time. Starting pay £13,969 rising to £19,979.
  The CWU fully understands why individuals, particularly the Manpower employees, would want to go and have a look at the Liberata call centre during working hours as this is an option that BT has identified.  However, the CWU does not believe that working for Liberata is a reasonable alternative to a BT job.
  Individuals will need to make their decision based on the terms and conditions of employment and pension provision up against those that they currently enjoy as a BT employee, and they will also need to take into consideration the job security working for an outsource company.
  The Union’s campaign is totally focussed on securing BT jobs for Barrow; a total solution that will provide a coherent unit and structure for the 52 BT employees that are affected by the recent announcement to close the DQ centre.
  We do not believe it is in your interest at this point to make any decisions regarding your future, least of all taking a job with an outsource company.
  As you are aware the Union are seeking a formal review with BT w/e 8 October in order that we can work together to identify suitable alternative work for Barrow and at this point all our efforts are focused in this direction, and in this direction alone.
  The CWU will continue to keep you updated as developments occur.

Sally Bridge
CWU Assistant Secretary

Labour condemns UK 'opt out' from EU directive against sex trafficking

This is an absolute disgrace Labour condemns UK 'opt out' from EU directive against sex trafficking World news The Guardian

Come tot he CWU Disability Advisory Committee Conference

CWU Disability Conference. Saturday 23rd October 2010 The CWU Disability Advisory Committee have decided to hold this year’s Disability Conference in London.
on Saturday 23rd October 2010. The Conference will take place at CWU Headquarters, 150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1RX
  All those attending the Conference are invited to a social event and further details will be circulated to delegates nearer the time.
  Delegates might find it easier to book a hotel close to the mainline London stations, Victoria or Waterloo and from there travel into either Wimbledon or South Wimbledon (District or Northern Line Tubes). Both Wimbledon stations are within 10 minutes walk from Headquarters.
  Alternatively, below are details of hotels that are located within the Wimbledon area, for information.

Antoinette Hotel Tel: 0844 567 8955
Premier Travel Inn Tel: 0870 990 6342
Travelodge Tel: 0871 984 6196
Express by Holiday Inn Tel: 020 8545 7300

If anyone requires a crèche, could you please let the Equal Opportunities Department know as quickly as possible and no later than Friday 1st October.
  Please let the Equal Opportunities Department know as quickly as possible and no later than Friday 1st October if anyone requires a prayer room, so that we can arrange a quiet room for this.
  If anyone needs a signer, please contact the Equal Opportunities Department as soon as possible and no later than Monday 27th September. Please note: The request might not be acceded to if notification is received after this date.
  Please see LTB 702/10, which has been sent out from the SDGS Department and gives detailed information, including registration forms for the Conference and other disability requirements.

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

English Defence League march banned by home secretary | UK news | The Guardian

The EDL march planned for Bradford on the 28th of Augsut has been banned by the Home Secretary. As have all demonstrations in the city. Read more here English Defence League march banned by home secretary UK news The Guardian

Disability Discrimination law update

I am indebted to Daniel Barnett Employment law barrister for the following update.

The Court of Appeal has handed down its decision in Aylott v Stockton on Tees Borough Council, which provides useful guidance in relation to disability discrimination claims following the case of Lewisham Borough Council v Malcolm [2008] 1 AC 1399.


Following Malcolm, Mummery L.J. confirmed that the proper comparator in cases of disability-related discrimination is currently 'someone who had behaved in the same way as the person concerned, but [who] did not suffer from that person's disability'. Thus the old comparator - someone who had not acted in the way that led to the dismissal or detriment - used in the case of Clark v Novacold [1999] ICR 951 no longer applies. To reduce unnecessary complexity, the Court of Appeal then made the following 3 points:

• Since Malcolm, expert advisors have correctly shifted their target to the failure of the duty to make reasonable adjustments, which imposes a form of positive discrimination. This was described as a 'positive' change of perspective.
• It is not sensible or legally correct simply to carry across from the longer established fields of discrimination law (race and gender) their principles and precedents, particularly as the 'disability-related' discrimination and requirement to make 'reasonable adjustments' do not even appear in that context.
• Justification is no defence to direct discrimination on the grounds of disability nor any failure to comply with the duty to make reasonable adjustments but remains a defence to disability-related and indirect discrimination cases.

In issuing this guidance, however, the Court of Appeal recognised that Malcolm will no longer be applicable to discrimination in employment in any event once s.15 of the Equality Act 2010 is in force; assuming that the provision remains unaltered.

For more details click here

BT engineers read this

BT engineer claims for tinnitus and deafness


10th August 2010
CWU Legal Services is encouraging any BT engineers who suffer from tinnitus and deafness and who have used oscillators and amplifier tone sets supplied by BT to contact the union. It appears that many BT engineers have been negligently exposed to high noise whilst using this equipment and may be eligible for compensation.
  Compensation claims tend to be successful where the engineer used the green or a combination of the green and yellow tone sets, whereas BT dispute liability where the engineer used only the yellow or blue sets. If you have used the green and/or yellow and/or blue tone sets and now suffer from tinnitus or are hard of hearing you may well be entitled to claim compensation. The average award is in the region of £7,000.but can be significantly higher in certain cases.
  A number of these claims are currently being litigated in the Cardiff County Court and the Court has asked the solicitors concerned to consider whether a Group Litigation Order would be appropriate.
  If a Group Litigation Order is imposed there would be a cut off date for registering new claims. CWU is therefore encouraging any members who are potentially affected to register a claim via the freephone CWU helpline: 0800 8046674 (lines open Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm. One of our solicitors will contact you within 48 hours).
  Tony Rupa, Head of CWU Legal Services, said: "It is important that you register a claim today so that we can ensure that your claim is dealt with now and within any time limits that may be set by the Court.
  "If you have any questions about your eligibility to make a claim, please contact the helpline directly and one of our advisers will help you."
  CWU Legal Services Scheme is a benefit of membership and you are entitled to free legal help if you or a member of your family has suffered injury due to someone else's fault, whether the accident happened in or out of work.

Legal services helpline: 0800 8046674 Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm.

You say no to the abolition of the retirement age

My latest poll has now closed. The result was 40% for and 60% against the abolition of the default retirement age. The people have spoken.

Closure of Barrow DQ

Please read this from my colleague Sally Bridge and support our members in Barrow.

Dear Colleague,

  The announcement by BT last week to close Barrow DQ has left many of you shocked and concerned regarding your future employment with BT.
  The CWU is angry with BT and does not believe that this announcement should have been made without reasonable alternative work being identified and we have written to Gavin Patterson, the CEO of BT Retail, expressing our outrage and seeking urgent talks.
  It will be our intention to campaign to apply maximum pressure on the company to ensure that work is brought to Barrow. BT has a responsibility not just to their employees but to the community of Barrow to do this. It is also our objective to ensure that the employment of the Manpower employers is included in our campaign.
  There is a dedicated web page at www.cwu.org to receive updates and a Facebook page has been set up to allow you to share your views and concerns with each other. This is an open forum it will also allow other BT employees to share their support and solidarity. The name of the Facebook page is CWU - BT Jobs for Barrow.
  Please remember that BT managers may also join this group and will have sight of all comments posted.
This is the first of regular newsletters that the CWU will be issuing and will keep you updated on developments while working with your local representatives to bring ‘BT jobs for Barrow’.
  Any questions to be addressed to:

Sally Bridge
CWU Assistant Secretary

New IVF fact sheet

The CWU Equality Department produces fact sheets on a range of work related issues. Our latest on IVF has now been uploaded to http://www.cwu.org/factsheets.html. If you have any questions or comments please let me know at lroy@cwu.org.

Come to the Chainmakers centenary event

On Saturday the 18th of September trade unionists from all over the UK will gather at the museum of the black country in Dudley to celebrate the centenary of the Cradley Heath women Chainmakers successful struggle for a fair days pay.    The CWU and other trade unions are sponsoring the event. Please come along and join us for a day of celebration, education, music and other entertainment. If you or your organisation would like to make a donation it would be much appreciated. Please contact me for further information at lroy@cwu.org
  The following outlines the story of the Chainmakers struggle. It can be found at htttp://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc/images/cradleyheath/
"During the 19th century the Black Country, in particular the Cradley Heath area, became the centre for chain making in Britain. Heavy to medium chains were produced by men in factories, however the smaller chains (often known as 'hand-hammered' or 'country-work' chains) were often hand-worked by women or children in small cramped forges in outbuildings next to the home. The work was hot, physically demanding and poorly paid. Like other homeworking, chainmaking was an example of a "sweated" trade, where workers (often women) were paid a pittance to produce cheap goods at home.
  At the start of the 20th century the campaign to end the exploitation of "sweated" labour gained increasing popular support. In 1909 the Liberal government passed the Trade Boards Act to set up regulatory boards to establish and enforce minimum rates of pay for workers in four of the most exploited industries - chain-making, box-making, lace-making and the production of ready-made clothing. In the Spring of 1910, the Chain Trade Board announced a minimum wage for hand-hammered chain-workers of two and a half pence an hour - for many women this was nearly double the existing rate. At the end of the Trade Board's consultation period in August 1910, many employers refused to pay the increase. In response, the women's union, the National Federation of Women Workers (NFWW), called a strike.
  The strike lasted 10 weeks and attracted immense popular support from all sections of society - nearly £4,000 of donations were received by the end of the dispute from individual workers, trade unions, politicians, members of the aristocracy, business community and the clergy. The founder of the NFWW, Mary Macarthur, used mass meetings and the media - including the new medium of cinema - to bring the situation of the striking women to a wider audience and the strike became an international cause célèbre. Within a month 60% of employers had signed the 'White List' and agreed to pay the minimum rate, the dispute finally ended on 22 October when the last employer signed the list."

Pride in Brighton & Hove 2010 - Pride and (No) Prejudice

Go to Brighton this Saturday and have a really great day out at the annual pride event. Read more and make a donation here Pride in Brighton & Hove 2010 - Pride and (No) Prejudice

Have you been a victim of a disability hate crime?

The Police currently have powers to get involved in matter where hate crimes cover race or LGBT issues but it seems to be a different story for disabled people.
  The Equality & Human Rights Commission are running a data gathering exercise and are asking for victims to come forward. If you want to find out more please click on the link below
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/legislative-framework/formal-inquiries/inquiry-into-disability-related-harassment/
  For more information you can contact the Equality Department in CWU HQ.