11th April 2013
No.6
CWU REJECTS FURTHER BELOW INFLATION OFFER
Following CWU’s rejection of BT’s offer of 2.25% on base pay plus a £100 non
consolidated lump sum (dependant on individual performance), BT tabled an
improved offer of 2.5%, plus a guaranteed £100 non consolidated lump sum
(regardless of individual performance).
Whilst emphasising that the offer did not meet the union’s claim for a fully
consolidated, above RPI inflation rise with a consolidated flat rate element, the CWU
negotiating team agreed to take the offer back to the union’s BT Committee for
discussion.
The CWU’s BT Committee has firmly rejected the offer on the basis that it falls below
the rise in RPI inflation (currently running at 3.2%), and it does not properly reflect the
contribution of CWU members to BT’s ongoing success. The BT Committee also
rejected the one off payment as inadequate in quantum and insufficient in meeting
rising living costs, because lump sum payments are short-lived whilst price rises are
here to stay.
Instead of joining the race to the bottom on pay, which will see the squeeze on
incomes continue to hold back the British economy, BT should take a lead in
increasing the value of pay in real terms. This will help to increase consumer
spending power and inject some much needed life back into the UK economy. It will
also ensure BT retains the skilled, motivated and committed workforce it needs to
retain its leading market position and outperform the competition.
A further pay meeting is planned for next week and we will keep members informed of
progress. The BT Committee remains hopeful that a negotiated settlement can be
reached but is in no doubt that this task presents an enormous challenge given the
differences between the Company and ourselves.
In the interim, please send us your views and questions to [email protected] and also
inform your local branch of your views.
*Source: Labour Research Department
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Andy Kerr, Deputy General Secretary, Telecoms & Financial Services