We know that a fair number of members are frustrated by the fact they will not know the result of the ballot for industrial action, which has lead to a lot of rumour and speculation as to the true reason for the cancellation.

The branch believes that it would have been far better to announce the ballot results and withdrawn the notice for industrial action after that result, if BT’s threatened injunction had a reasonable chance of success. We would have all been clear of the fact that it was BT that had silenced the democratic voice of our members, as a result of their legal intervention.  The speed of the revised offer and the T&FSE recommendation to accept, left many wondering if the democratic process was somewhat lacking?

However, once the ballot had been stopped we are not critical of our executive in attempting to reach an acceptable settlement. The question is; is this the fantastic deal that DGST Andy Kerr portrays it to be?

The proposed settlement is a three year deal but looking at the element for this year on its own, a 3% deal is below the 4.4% claimed by the CWU as the level to keep pace with inflation. While some have portrayed it to be equivalent to 4.5% and therefore above inflation it still doesn’t change the fact that 3% is 3%. The fact that you shift forward the date of the increase by 3 months and increase the amount earned in that period doesn’t change the fact that you have received a 3% pay increasing and therefore a cut in real terms.

Turning to the multi-year element of the deal you may recall it was unacceptable to the Telecoms and Financial Executive in June to base the claim on an undetermined and unknown figure, as shown in paragraph in the letter to you in June from Andy Kerr:

“The 3 per cent proposed pay rise from January 2011 was rejected on the basis that we do not know what inflation will be at that time, and it could represent a further pay cut for members.  The CWU made clear we are open to a two year pay deal, but that the award for the second year would have to be an inflation plus formula to maintain the value of your pay in real terms.”

It is difficult following this to comprehend why this should be acceptable now. How can it change from unacceptable to a fantastic deal?

With the known fact that VAT is due to rise from 17.5% to 20% in January next year, the 3% claim for the second year will probably not keep up with inflation. And two years ahead – who knows? So our pay ‘rise’ amounts to a cut in real terms not only for this year but also looks likely as a cut for next year as well. The third year is that far ahead that it is not possible to give any realistic indication and may be re opened to discussion.

It is also worth noting that this deal means the CWU will not ask for a pay increase until March 2013 so this deal is over 39 months not the three years it is being sold to you as. Also worth noting is that since you didn’t have a pay rise last year the so called 9.3% being peddled is for 51 months and not three years

Not only does this deal affect your pay now, but has a knock on effect to pensions. Thanks to the 2008 pension agreement, it also effects pension contributions; for BTPS members it cuts the annual revaluation, while for BTSSS members it means a lower contribution than inflation from BT. And don’t forget, when you get that pension, the government is cutting the rate at which it will be increased each year. So building it up now is even more important than it was previously.

So we ask is this such a fantastic deal for CWU members or does it have Ian Livingston and his Co board members laughing all the way to the bank. We know what the city thought of the deal the moment it was announced since BT Group Shares rose 4.2p to close at 140.2p

Do not waste the opportunity to let your voice be heard, use you vote in this ballot. BT cannot silence this vote. Your Branch recommends you VOTE NO in this consultative ballot on BT Pay.

BT PAY – VOTE NO

The CWU’s cancelation of the industrial action ballot and the latest offer from BT with regard to pay was fully discussed at a properly constituted branch meeting on Tuesday 13th July 10. Following the discussions a proposition was passed unanimously, that the branch should actively encourage members to vote no in the forthcoming consultative ballot.

Please use your vote in this consultative ballot so that your voice is clearly heard and not silenced as it was by the cancelation of the industrial action ballot.

The Branch recommends that you; -  VOTE NO IN THE BT PAY BALLOT.