SADLY, Guy Fawkes Night is pretty much banned across most of the UK this year, but industrial relations fireworks are heading in the direction of BT management, fireworks sparked by their treason and plot against their own workforce.

Today, we’re announcing a national ballot of over 40,000 CWU members working for BT Group, in which we’ll be consulting them over potential strike action against compulsory redundancies, outsourcing of our work abroad, and the downgrading of key terms and conditions.

CWU members have stepped up during this Covid pandemic, proud to be key workers, proud to be part of the army of essential frontline workers keeping this country running.

Our members in Royal Mail have kept our people posted and our BT members have kept our country connected – all have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

But how have BT management responded to this superb effort? How have they thanked our BT members for their hard work?
    
A bonus? No.
    
Extra time off to spend with their families? No.
    
BT management have decided to ‘reward’  BT workers with compulsory redundancies.

BT management have decided to ‘reward’ BT workers by destroying their jobs and sending their work to India.

Yes that’s right, British Telecom is getting rid of workers here in Britain and replacing them with cheap labour overseas!

And, to add insult to injury, they’ve served notice that they intend to significantly reduce redundancy payments in the future.

Our members across the country are furious at BT management’s attitude and that’s why we launched the ‘Count Me In’ campaign.

Our members’ anger is why we’re holding our second National Day of Action today.

And our members’ anger is why we’re announcing today, the first stage towards nationwide strike action.

Our members don’t want to strike. The tens of thousands of hard-working BT Group employees want to serve their communities to the best of their ability – and beyond.

As Covid restrictions and lockdown measures have returned, our members have stepped up once again, determinedly continuing their vital work.

But their message, our united message, to BT management could not be clearer: ‘Change your attitude and change it now – or there will be action’.

The CWU is a valuable friend and a constructive partner, but if we’re forced to fight, the CWU is a combative and determined opponent.

Sensible companies choose partnership and friendship.

To those reading this article, we say thank you for your time and please support our Day of Action. Please follow us on our social platforms, like, share, retweet us. 

Let’s make the 5th of November a day to remember.

Andy Kerr is CWU deputy general secretary (Telecoms & Financial Services)