Union Office, British Telecom, Becket House, New Dover Road,
Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3BB
Tel: 020 3251 8542 e-mail: cwumeridian@btconnect.com
MERIDIAN BRANCH STATEMENT
PLEASE NOTE THAT IT HAS COME TO OUR ATTENTION THAT THERE ARE CONCERNS FROM BRANCH MEMBERS THAT THE BRANCH NAME HAS BEEN LINKED TO STATEMENTS MADE BY INDIVIDUALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
WE WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT WHATEVER INDIVIDUAL BRANCH MEMBERS POST ON THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA HAS NOT BEEN ENDORSED BY THE BRANCH UNLESS IT IS A DIRECT SHARE FROM OUR OWN PAGE.
ANY STATEMENTS MADE BY INDIVIDUALS IS ENTIRELY THEIR OWN OPINIONS AND NOT THE POLICY OR THOUGHTS OF MERIDIAN BRANCH.
ONLY POSTS ON OUR FACEBOOK AND TWITTER PAGE ARE TO BE CONSIDERED THE OPINIONS OF MERIDIAN BRANCH.
***Coronavirus Outbreak - Update & Advice***
Latest information for T&FS please click here
Lastest information for Royal Mail please click here
***Your Pay***
The CWU has officially commenced negotiations on your pay for 2022. Last year, BT gave their commitment that you would receive a consolidated pay rise this year and they have confirmed that they will honour this commitment.
More>
***Count Me In Update***
The Campaign goes on - but the fight back is working
The CWU has been in discussions with BT, Openreach
and EE to try and make progress on the wide range of issues affecting your future.
See Video and Briefing below:
*Count Me In campaign makes waves on Social Media*
Unprecedented numbers of members from across all parts of BT Group have been taking to social media to demonstrate their support for the union’s ‘Count Me In’ campaign.
***European Working Time Directive ***
**Not an ‘optional extra’**
Outrageous instances of some Openreach managers leaning on Service Delivery (SD) engineers to sign away their legal right to not be forced to work for more than 48 hours a week have prompted a furious response from the CWU.
***CWU Count Me In***
BT members, prepare to ballot – now is the time to fight!
We will be setting out the aims of the campaign as well as clearly laying out the role of our branches and members in making it a success.
More>
***Patch Lead Grading & Pay Snub***
The worsening industrial relations climate in Openreach took a new dive yesterday (Thursday) with an inflammatory management decision to unilaterally impose an unagreed grade and pay point for recently employed Patch Leads in both Fibre Network (FND) and Service Delivery (SD).
More>
***’Perfect storm’ brewing in Technology***
With tensions rising in BT Technology amid management stonewalling on redeployment associated with the division’s ongoing transformation programme – even before the full impact of an unprecedented site rationalisation programme really becomes clear – the CWU is urging members to prepare for tumultuous times ahead.
More>
***No-one safe from compulsory redundancy***
The latest manifestation of the belligerent new management approach sweeping across BT Group has prompted CWU warnings of a looming bloodbath of desk-based members in Openreach.
More>
***Anger as BT Consumer embarks on career*** **progression ‘road to nowhere’**
The CWU has responded furiously to the roll-out of a new operating model in BT Consumer that will slash opportunities for offline work and effectively kibosh non-managerial promotion chances in the Service operation.
***Industrial relations outlook darkens in BT***
Unprecedented threats to job security and hard won terms and conditions across BT Group must be met with a steely and united show of resistance, branches representing members across the company have agreed.
More>
***BT Pay - Ballot Begins from Today***
Meridian Branch acknowledges the fact that this is a poor offer. Were we in normal circumstances and not being attacked on all fronts we would be recommending rejection.
More>
***SE Region Retired Members June Newsletter***
The latest edition of the Retired Members Newsletter with topics such as social care, declining transport services, calls to scrap pension triple lock & Digital working party - being online to combat lockdown loneliness.
More>
***CWU Anger at ‘Provocative’ BT move***
**to attack reduncency terms**
The CWU has expressed its shock and dismay at BT’s unilateral move to ‘review’ redundancy and paid leaver terms by serving notice on the 2018 Pension Agreement.
More>
***CWU Opposes Cuts in T&C’s for Lowest Paid***
In the middle of the Covid crisis BT Consumer has decided to cut the terms and conditions for new hires into the lowest paid grades. The changes have not been agreed and are totally opposed by the CWU.
More>
***BT Pay Brief***
The CWU are disappointed with BT’s latest offer, we believe you are worth more! You are the invisible group of key workers who have shown your unrivalled commitment to your work by being courageous and flexible to keep businesses and families connected, ensuring the population stay safe in their homes during these unprecedented times.
More>
***Local Industrial Action Ballot Requests***
Further to LTB 059/20 dated 4th February 2020 that contained the timetable for the national industrial action ballot, I am writing to advise Branches on the current situation concerning local ballot requests.
***BT Enterprise***
*Proposed Changes - Headcount Reduction*
Please read urgent briefing below re BT Enterprise and proposed changes including headcount reduction. Be very clear that the CWU has a long held policy of No Compulsory Redundancies. If this is allowed to happen in BT Enterprise, who then will be next?
More>
***Royal Mail Group***
*National Industrial Action Ballot Result*
Please find attached a copy of the declaration of the result for the recent industrial action ballot of CWU members employed by the Royal Mail Group (excluding members working in Royal Mail Property and Facility Solutions, and Parcelforce Worldwide).
***New Deal For Workers Campaign***
The purpose of this LTB is to update branches and representatives on progress with our New Deal for Workers Campaign and set out our next steps as we move towards the Trades Union Congress in September.
More>
***East Kent Housing Failures***
We need your help - Please sign our petition.
More>
***MEP Reports Back July 2019***
John Howarth’s first newsletter update since the European Election results in May.
***No place for Antisemitism in our movement***
Read the Labour Party’s statement on how they are addressing Antisemitism within the Labour Party.
More>
***Communications Workers Union Statement***
Please see statement for the Communications Workers Union Statement required by Section 32A of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992
***Our Job Centre - Hastings & Rye Campaign***
Since a local drop-in job centre closed, people in Rye have been forced to travel up to 21 miles to claim job seekers allowance every week – but we’ve got a plan to change that.
***Vote for Steve Jones CWU NEC & PEC (PTS)***
CWU Meridian branch is supporting Steve Jones for CWU NEC & PEC (PTS) and we would like to be able to count on your vote.
***Industrial Executives & Regional Secretary***
*Elections 2019 - Change of Closing Date of Ballot*
As you will all be aware, there has been a delay with the ballot papers being posted by the company ERS. We have made further representations to ERS to secure an extension of the closing date from 24th July 2019 to 29th July 2019 to allow those members affected by the delay to have a greater opportunity to cast their votes.
***Switched Off: Save free TV for older people***
The BBC has announced they plan to means test TV licences for the over 75s. That means they'll only be free for people receiving Pension Credit. We believe this change will harm millions of older people who rely on their TV. Together, we must demand the Government takes back responsibility for funding free TV licences.
More>
***Openreach Service Delivery Patch Lead***
*(formerly Team Supervisor) Role*
The National Team (NT) have been in dialogue with the company in relation to the grading and pay rate for the new Patch Lead role. Branches will be aware from the contents of LTB 279/2019 that the company published an unagreed grade and pay rate as part of the Q&A documentation they issued. In our view this was outside both the spirit and letter of the agreements we have relating to grading matters.
The wording of the revised Q&A documentation, a copy of which is attached, has been amended to make clear that the process is not complete and the grade and rate of pay will be agreed with the CWU (see below).
***The NPC’s Monthly Bulletin May 2019***
The Lords attack pensioner benefits.
A new report from the House of Lords has proposed scrapping the triple lock on state pensions, removing the bus pass and winter fuel allowance, meanstesting the TV licence and making universal benefits subject to tax.
***Regional Retired Members Spring Newsletter***
Last year saw the Union go through a process of Redesigning the Union at all levels. There were a few changes to the rules covering the Retired members of the Union.
More>
***Understanding Women’s Pension Inequality***
Pensions remain one of the key battlegrounds in the fight for equality. Growing older may be something we prefer not to think about, particularly if we are worried about the state of our finances and how we can survive on a pension. Did you know that around two thirds of all pensioners living in poverty are women.
***National Pensioners Convention***
Catch up with the latest March bulletin for the National Pensioners Convention (Greater London Region)
More>
***The Launch of ‘Our Hours’ Campaign***
On the 14th February we launched our new "Our Hours" campaign for all our members in Openreach. Removing the 60 minute personal travel time commitment is our top priority, contact the branch and get involved #CWUOurHours
More>
***TUPE OF BT FACILITIES TO CBRE AND ISS***
The CWU National Team intend to hold a series of conference calls to consult with our members that are transferring to ISS on the outcome of the formal consultation meetings which will cover proposed terms and conditions.
***TUPE OF BT FACILITIES TO CBRE AND ISS***
Formal Consultation - ISS
The formal consultation meetings with ISS have now concluded and I am therefore able to provide more detailed information regarding the terms and conditions as well as the changes that will be applicable from 01 April 2019.
More>
***NPC’s Campaign - January 2019 Issue***
News - Sixth delay for social care Green Paper.
Mp’s line up to claim their free TV licences.
Pensioner poverty increases.
***Branch Nominations***
Branch Nomination forms are required to be completed and received into the branch by close of play close of play Friday 14th February 2019.
***Launch of CWU Campaign #ENDGAME***
The CWU launched the #ENDGAME campaign yesterday at the National Branch Briefing held to discuss the recently announced news that BTPFS intend to outsource all of the Facilities Services to CBRE and ISS from April 2019.
*** BT Facilities Outsourcing Announcement***
The CWU has reacted furiously to BT’s announcement that it intends to outsource its Facilities Services division – pledging to vigorously fight a move that poses huge risks to the terms & conditions and job security of more than 1,700 CWU represented grade employees.
***Retired Members Newsletters***
Spring Newsletter
Summer Newsletter
Autumn Newsletter
***Consultation On Transfer To Openreach Ltd***
The CWU and BT have concluded discussions on the TUPE consultation, to transfer all Openreach people into a new company called Openreach Limited.
More>
***BT Consumer Contact Center Transformation***
(Impact On Manpower Employees)
A number of queries have been received regarding the impact on the Manpower Employees in Consumer regarding BT's intention to create a permanent workforce and offer Manpower advisors a BT contract.
***BT Consumer Contact Centre Transformation***
We have been in discussions with BT regarding their operating models in contact centres across the company for a number of months. As a result of our agreement BT Consumer will create 600 new direct labour jobs in BT UK Contact Centres and in addition will offer all current Manpower employees a permanent role over the next few months across the Consumer Customer Care operation.
***BT’s Social Media Policy***
The purpose of this LTB is to ask Branches to raise awareness amongst members on how the company’s Social Media procedure can be applied to employees, and try to prevent as many potential disciplinary cases as possible. Social media is the term used for internet-based tools used on computers, tablets, and smart phones to help people keep in touch and enable them to interact. It is also in response to Motion 30 passed at this year’s Conference, a copy of which is attached.
More>
***BTPFS Pay Review 2018 - Final Offer***
This year the discussions have been particularly lengthy due to a number of elements that were outstanding from 2017 Pay Review
as well as the aim of the CWU BTPFS National Team to achieve a meaningful pay increase.
More>
***CWU Member Benefits***
Check out the latest member benefits from Advice, Lifestyle to Travel.
More>
***Manpower Employee Assistance Programme***
At this year’s TFS conference motion 78 & 79 were debated that called for Manpower employees to have access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
***BT Consumer Site Standards***
Following consultation with the CWU we have now received confirmation that the Consumer Site Standards document will be amended to include a section on safety when arriving or leaving work.
***BT Press Speculation***
Branches may be aware that there has been press speculation this morning alleging 6500 job losses in BT. Please find attached the article in the Financial Times. The CWU has issued the following press statement to allay any fear, members may have:
***BTPFS Changes to Workplace Pension Contributions***
Further to Briefing 03/2018, please find attached Pension auto-enrolment FAQs.
***BT Pension and Pay: Consultative Ballot***
Confirmation for the arrangements for the consultative ballot on proposed Pension and Pay Agreement for CWU members in BT and BT Fleet.
More >
***NPC Campaign Bulletin***
Please use the link to read the latest edition of NPC Campaign Bulletin April 2018
More >
***BT Pension Review & Pay***
Following the consultation period in January on pensions,
the CWU has been in negotiations with BT and those talks have now concluded.
The CWU Executive is now able to recommend a revised proposal which constitutes a legally binding agreement between CWU and BT and also includes a two year pay agreement.
More>
***Four Pillars - Campaign Bulletin No# 33***
We are clearly at a critical and important point in this dispute, there is no room for complacency and we remain determined to secure the best possible deal for our members.
***Retired Members Conference***
Please see the Agenda for the Retired Members Conference witch will be held on the 31st January 2018.
More>
***BT Pension Review Facebook Q&A***
Another chance to view the Facebook Q&A with Dave Ward, Karen Rose, Andy Kerr & Nigel Cotgrove.
***Zero Suicide Alliance***
Bereaved families have joined with over 90 NHS trust, charities, politicians and suicide survivors to launch a new organisation and movement , the “Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA)” Please read the attachments for further information.
More>
***Bring Royal Mail back into public ownership***
Bringing Royal Mail back into public ownership would protect jobs, employees terms and conditions, pensions and protect a 500 year old legacy that should not be condemned into the history books to make profit for the few off of the backs of the many employees.
More>
***Royal Mail Ballot Result***
CWU and Royal Mails Ballot result and what it means to you, its members.
***Terry Pullinger - Industrial Action Ballot Video***
Hear Terry talk about the reasons for Industrial Action and why the CWU you are urged to vote “YES”.
More>
***NPC Annual Transport Conference***
This year’s popular annual NPC Transport Conference will be considering a number of important issues, including:
- The importance of accessible transport
- Keeping safe when travelling
- The next stages of campaigning
***Good Mental health in the Workplace***
Work not only takes up a large portion of our time, it is also linked to our feelings of status, security and stability. Its enduring presence in all our lives, means work is well placed to support efforts to improve our mental and Physical well-being.
More>
***Time For A New Kind Of Trade Unionism***
For workers across the UK the labour market is like the Wild West. Exploitation is exploitation whether it’s in a sweat shop or at the end of an iPhone, and the Taylor Review falls way short of addressing the problems workers face.
More>
***NPC Parliament Blackpool 6th 8th June 2017***
Pensioners defy the pouring rain and gale force wind to march through the streets of Blackpool to attend the 2017 Annual Pensioners Parliament in the Winter Gardens - Blackpool.
More>
***BTFS Final Pay Offer – Ballot Timetable***
Further to CWU Briefing 06/2017 dated 2nd June 2017 which detailed the final BTFS Pay offer please
see details of the pay ballot as follows;
- Electronic email Ballot opens - Monday 5 June 2017 at 12 noon
- Electronic email Ballot closes - Thursday 15 June 2017 at 12 noon
- Result of ballot – Thursday 15 June 2017
All CWU BTFS members are encouraged to vote and to Vote 'YES'
***Manpower Pay Increase***
Following a number of queries into the office regarding the delay in the pay uplift for those Manpower employees that are on equal treatment contracts (non PBA).
More>
***BT Pension Review***
BT has advised the CWU that it intends to review the current BT Pension Scheme (BTPS) arrangements. At the same time it has also given the CWU 12 months notice to terminate the 2008 Pension Agreement.
More>
***OPENREACH – `Our Performance in SD’***
Changes to performance management in Service Delivery Field (this includes Regional Field teams, National Operations and Frames).
***BT Consumer Summer Leave***
Dates for summer 2018 annual leave have been released. BT Consumer are staggering the release of them depending on which function you work in.
***BT Pay Result***
The Meridian Branch recommended a NO vote but as you can see from the result below, the membership have voted quite convincingly to accept.
***2017 Executive Elections***
Branch nominations and recommendations.
More>
***National Elections March/April 2017***
You will shortly be receiving a ballot paper in respect of the above elections. The branch committee recommends you vote for the following candidates in these elections:
***OFCOM Digital Communications Review***
BT and Ofcom have reached an agreement, on the future governance of Openreach. The settlement agreement will require Openreach to become a distinct, legally separate business within the BT Group.
***BT CONSUMER: MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS***
There have been an increasing number of reports of managers in BT Consumer operating outside Group policy on medical appointments. The CWU Consumer National Team has raised this with BT on a number of occasions and we are working to ensure that the Group policy is applied.
***BT Passport - New Document***
The Personnel Team were presented with a new BT Passport which brought together the separate documents that exists on the BT Intranet. The team secured some changes and the intent of the document still remains an important record for members covered by the criteria. Health, Disability and Caring responsibilities are now recorded within one document.
***Work Related Stress***
Work-related stress remains one of the top causes of sickness absence according to latest statistics.
Work-related stress, depression or anxiety is defined as a harmful reaction people have to undue pressures and demands placed on them at work.
***BT Quarter Three Results***
As a CWU member working for BT, you will no doubt be aware of the accounting fiasco in BT Italia reported in the press this week, alongside the challenges in BT Public Sector, which caused their share price to drop 21% and BT to announce that profits and revenues may flat-line over the next two years. This will have undoubtedly heightened concerns for you.
More>
***Terry Pullinger***
A Video message to members and activists.
***Royal Mail Pension Consultation***
For the latest information on the Royal Mail Pension Consultation, Click on the CWU-News picture above.
BT Smart Pensions: Inclusion from 1 Feb 2017
Most members of the BT Pension Scheme (BTPS) and BT Retirement Saving Scheme (BTRSS) who do not currently participate in Smart Pensions will be automatically enrolled into Smart by BT from 1st February 2017.
Pensions - Royal Mail’s Three Card Trick
Further to recent articles in the press concerning Royal Mail’s intention to close the Royal Mail Pension Plan from April 2018, this pamphlet is designed to alert CWU members to the implications of the closure of the Pension Plan and highlight the implications of the closure of the RMPP.
100% impartial free energy search engine has been set up specifically for trade union members, allowing you to compare the prices of all gas and electricity suppliers in the UK to find the very best deal for your home. You can compare by savings alone, C02...More>
Support the ‘Firefighters 100 Lottery’ which has recently been launched to help five key good causes. Every 50 pence from each ticket sold will go to their chosen causes.
BT – ANNUAL LEAVE ENTITLEMENTS
Last year it came to our attention that there is no single place where individual annual leave entitlements are held in BT. Therefore, there is no prompt from the Company when an individual’s annual leave entitlement increases in line with service. ..... More>
CWU Humanitarian Aid
Communication Workers Union Humanitarian Aid (CWUHA) is the union's national charity. It is supported by Royal Mail and BT as well as thousands of volunteers and donors who take part in a wide range of fundraising efforts to help vulnerable children in the UK, Ireland, Eastern Europe and beyond in war torn countries, orphanages or other places of need.
CWUHA on the CWU website. link>>
To make a one-off or regular donation. link>>
Are you facing an Informal or Formal Warning for Performance?
We would advise any member faced with an informal or formal performance procedure to... More>
Fact Finding Interviews and the Discipline Procedure
If you suddenly find yourself in a Fact Finding meeting with your or another manager then you almost certainly will not have been warned...... More>
Join Labour – build our victory together
http://www.cwu.org/news/archive/join-labour-build-our-victory-together.html
CWU Harassment Helpline 24/7
Call 0800 107 1909
More Information available on http://www.cwu.org/ in the Members Area. Once you are logged in you can find the information under 'Harassment'.
