01633 262 881                        

To: The Branch Secretary

Dear Colleague

Membership Records: Online Access to Membership Details

Branches are advised that access went live at 5pm on Friday 15^th January.

Already over 400 members have amended their records, providing the union with over 350 new email addresses. In addition a number of Branch Officials have logged on and amended members’ details.

The service was planned to go live prior to members receiving their log in details with the Voice. Unfortunately, despite all our preparations being complete, a small amount of work on the Head Office server was needed and the company concerned (not connected to the Membership project) took far longer than could have been foreseen to commence the 10 minutes work required. It is regrettable that we could not launch as planned, but from the number of members accessing their records it is clear that the service is working successfully.

Branches are asked to publicise the service to their members.

Branches are reminded that in addition to members using it, the facility for Branches to make certain changes to membership details exist. All Branch Secretaries have access to their members’ records, and should Branches wish, the Secretary can apply for additional Officers to become “Designated OLS Users” which will give them the same rights of access.

Branch Officials are able to amend individual records, export either individual records, or the entire membership database, or send members’ emails via a mail merge facility – for those unfamiliar with this, it sends all selected members an individual personalised email at the touch of one button after you have composed the message.

Branches should refer to LTB 1109/09 (Below) for further information.

Enquiries re this LTB should be addressed to the National Organising Dept for the attention of Matt Edwards medwards@cwu.org Tel 020 8971 7260.

Yours sincerely                                  

John East                                                  

National Organising Secretary

To: The Branch Secretary

Dear Colleague

Membership Records: Online Access to Membership Details

Branches are advised that the next issue of the Voice due to be posted on 4^th January will include personal login details for each member so that they will be able to view and amend their membership details held on the HQ Membership Records system. Branch Secretaries will additionally have the facility to view, amend and export details for mail merging/label production by use of a csv file similar to that obtained via email at present.

The “go live” date for this service is expected to be in w/c 11^th January. Members who attempt to log on immediately after receiving the Voice will be greeted with a “service temporarily unavailable” notice.

As advised in LTB 1108 issued earlier today, the Cover of the Voice will be opaque and clearly identify the contents. Branches are asked to ensure this is brought to the attention of members.

To access either their own record, or in the case of the Branch Secretary, the whole Branch’s records, the member will need to log onto the CWU website using their Membership No and the unique password contained on the letter enclosed with the Voice magazine. Should a member have joined recently, they may not have been issued with a password, and will need to register on the website to be allocated one. All members will need to provide an email address following log on. Passwords can be changed once the member has logged on.

Members will be able to amend personal information, plus add additional personal information. They will additionally have visibility of some information which we do not want them to amend themselves (e.g. They will not be able to amend Workplace information directly, since we need to ensure consistency with information received from the employer). Should they see inaccuracies in this visible information, the facility exists to email membership records direct from the viewed record to ask for a change to be made.

When Branch Secretary’s log in using their personal login details, they will have two choices, to view/amend their personal details, or to view the whole Branch membership details. If they choose the latter option, the site loads the Branch membership list in alphabetical order, with each member having a “edit” button next to their name. The members details can be edited, or Branch Secretary’s can export the data to a csv file, by either ticking each name they want to export (a radio button to the right of the name), or by ticking “all records” at the bottom.

All amendments to records automatically show up the name of the person making the amendment, and the time it was done. Branch Secretaries need to understand that the Branch Secretary is responsible for any amendments made in their name. Should the Branch wish to nominate an additional official to be a “designated OLS user” responsible for Membership records, they should email Matt Edwards as below.

Currently it is our intention to “vet” and upload the previous days changes on a delayed basis each morning, but once we are clear that the system is running successfully, we will review the need for this delay/verification process.

Because of the sheer size of some Branches, it is possible that the webpage will “time out” before loading the entire Branch list of members. This will be dependent on the speed of internet connection being used by Branches, and of the “Browser” being used. Internet Explorer takes longer to load than either “Firefox” or Google “Chrome” for example. Until we go live we have no way of knowing how many Branches will be impacted by this – since we do not know what connections/browsers Branches use. Further developments in system access later in the year should bring firstly greater functionality to Branches and direct access via a dedicated server.

It is intended that the same web based process will finally enable on-line joining in the near future.

Enquiries re this LTB should be addressed to the National Organising Dept for the attention of Matt Edwards medwards@cwu.org Tel 020 8971 7260.

Yours sincerely

John East                                                  

National Organising Secretary

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

The issue of Performance Management is one that is of great concern to members across all lines of business.

The matter has been the subject of discussion with the Company and in particular the way in which our members are

being continually pressurised, harassed and intimidated all in the supposed name of performance management.

It is unacceptable that this abuse of the the agreed process is taking place and it must stop. The CWU are trying to raise the profile of this issue as identified in the letter below and the associated letter to Tom Keeney.

We have heard from members expressing their concerns over this constant monitoring and the stress and anxiety that it leads to, and these

members that are not currently under any form of performance management plan, informal or formal.

We would ask that any member that is subject to a coaching plan, informal PiP, Managing Under Performance (MUP) or formal plan that has not yet informed the CWU to get in touch with their local branch. We understand that there is an associated level of self consciousness that prevents members from being identified with what they see as a personal failure. There is nothing further from the truth, it is not the individual that has failed, more often than not it is the systems and the way that they are used that have identified a supposed failure, this is then compounded by the inability of those who are supposed to give the necessary support, coaching and guidance, to provide it in the manner that it should be used.

Therefore, we need the evidence to combat this abuse at the early stages otherwise this will continue as a ever increasing problem. So please come forward and let us know of your experience.

To Branches with BT Members

Dear Colleague

BT Project Holborn – Managing Changing Capabilities

Please find attached an overarching letter from John McGee on behalf of BT Group, together with the new Managing Changing Capabilities Policy, the processes and flowchart and a presentation to HR people in advance of the launch.  A separate LTB has been sent out regarding the appeals procedures.  These documents have been agreed by the TFSE and are being launched by BT on the 15^th October 2009.

The new policy is much improved on the previous policy and has at its core the intent that the policy is about retaining people in their existing role first and foremost.  There are safeguards with the introduction of MCC leads in each line of business and more realistic timescales for job searches.

In addition we have agreed with BT Group that every person who is currently being dealt with under the MCC procedure will have their case reviewed to ensure that the handling meets the new policy requirements.

This policy has taken significantly longer to finalise and agree than initially hoped but the TFSE does believe the policy and the processes have been given a thorough overhaul and that the new procedure is a vast improvement on the existing arrangements.  Crucially, managers can no longer decide to conduct a MCC review out of the blue and advise our members that they ‘have 3 months and they are out’ if they don’t find another job.

It is important that branches do still flag up personal cases at an early stage if you believe they are not being handled correctly, as the escalation and review of personal cases remains in place.

There will be a monthly conference call every month for 6 months with BT to monitor how the new policy and processes are working in practice.  It is therefore important that branches do flag any difficulties with the policy that they are encountering.

Reference will be made to the new policy at the branch forum on October 22^nd but in the meantime if branches have any queries, please contact my office.

Yours sincerely,

Grace Mitchell

Assistant Secretary 

To:  All BT Branches

Dear Colleagues

Use of Remotely Operated Stop and Go Boards in BT

The CWU have raised concerns as to the current practice of using remotely operated stop and go boards (Robo boards) and following detailed discussions with Openreach a review is now being undertaken to look at the manner in which the equipment is being deployed. 

Although some training was delivered to users by the RoBo Board manufacturer; it was principally aimed at use of the equipment and the evidence to date would suggest that there are some fundamental problems with the RoBo Boards not being deployed in accordance with the Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice. During the CWU investigations it has become clear that some of the signs used in the roadwork’s guarding set up, have been procured locally and are too small, being deployed in the wrong place, and do not meet the requirements of the 'Traffic Signs Regulations and General Direction'. It should also be noted that failure to comply with the Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice is a criminal offence.

At present BT have temporarily suspended the deployment of RoBo Boards to allow time for reconsideration of the manner in which this equipment is transported and used at site and these discussions are continuing to ensure that:

·         A Safe System of Work is put in place where remotely operated boards are used.                  

·         A Training Package is developed to ensure that the Code of Practice specific    requirements are understood.                                                                              

·         A review is undertaken of the equipment requirements and impact on vehicle loadings

·         Operators of RoBo Boards have Unit 2 Accreditation to use the traffic control

Further details will be issued upon completion of the discussions.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

 To Branches with BT Members

Dear Colleague

BT Managing Performance

Please find attached an electronic bulletin to members regarding Performance Management.

The document highlights the key issues of concern that we have identified and invites members to report bad practice.  However, actual cases should continue to be dealt with by branches and we have tried to ensure within the document that members understand they should seek advice from their branch.

The email address is therefore only a reporting mechanism for members.  Cases will not be taken up as a result of the emails but will be referred to the appropriate branch if any action is required.

Please circulate this bulletin as widely as possible amongst your BT members and also print some for notice boards etc.

The TFSE see this both as an important step in raising awareness of the problems and advising members on what they should expect to happen; and to collect evidence and identify ‘hot-spots’ in our discussions with BT.

Any enquiries regarding either the contents of this LTB or the attached electronic bulletin should be made to my office at iholmes@cwu.org or on 020879717242.

Yours sincerely,

Grace Mitchell

Assistant Secretary 

Click here for the CWU advice on Performance Management.

For the managers guide on PIPs click here.

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Members wanting to know more about a particular briefing can contact the Branch Office to receive

a copy of specific letters.