The latest Investing Matters Podcast with Jean Roche, Co-Manager of Schroder UK Mid Cap Investment Trust has just been released. Listen here.
Well said Expat , to many people going off-piste on here
Blimey that share price is flatter than a #foodbankphil Whoopi cushion
Any way enough of that nonsense, just like to say thanks to the many CWU members (on this chat site)
For supporting the recent strike action, you are all heroes
Unlike Jansen, who when he sees a problem, he just runs away from it
Looking forward to the next stage of strike action, lets strike like fury
(apologies to handman, this is costing you a fortune in incontinence pants, your far too easily triggered, clench your buttocks and grow a pair handman)
(((((((((((((BREAKING NEWS))))))))))))))))
(I hope handman is wearing his rubber incontinence pants!!!)
From the CWU just now
We have today served notice on BT Group and Openreach for further strike action on Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st August #FoodBankPhil
Latest union update
The Communication Workers Union
15 mins ·
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL BT AND OPENREACH MEMBERS - PLEASE SHARE.
Let’s keep the pressure up!
It is one week since our BT and Openreach members took strike action in such huge numbers across the UK.
Have no doubt this support has hit the company hard. Our door remains open for negotiations but it is important we do not lose momentum and pressure.
On this basis, we want to push a number of initiatives this week:
1. We need every member as well as your friends and families to write to your local MP. We have had some excellent replies and this is shining the spotlight on the company. Use this simple form to join the thousands of members who have already helped our political campaigning. Use this link: https://www.cwu.org/.../write-to.../bt-openreach-support
2. We are setting up a meeting with major shareholders of BT Group to present our case for the pay rise you’ve earned and deserve.
3. We are drafting a major national newspaper advert which will be published prior to any further strike action.
If BT Group do not respond positively, we will, announce further action- expect further communications from us, by the end of this week.
Your continued support is creating the pressure to win this dispute – please keep this up!
Andy Kerr Deputy General Secretary (T&FS)
Dave Ward General Secretary
Resolution 24. The board agreed that priority number one , was to keep the trough topped up. Even if it meant the workers had to accept an effective pay cut
Get your snout in the trough "food bank Phil" - The race to the bottom has begun
Just in from the CWU
BT Group CEO Philip Jansen has turned down our offer of talks to avoid the first national dispute since 1987.
We will now prepare to serve notice for strike action.
Keep an eye on our channels for a formal announcement.
Stand by your union.
From Sky news , just now (looks like no further talks)
BT urges union leaders to commit to 999 services during strikes
Company executives are seeking clarification from the CWU about the provision of "life and limb" services during BT workers’ first strikes for 35 years, Sky News learns.
BT Group has urged trade union bosses to commit to maintaining 999 emergency call-handling services as they prepare to announce dates for the company's first strike action in more than three decades.
Sky News understands that executives from the company have written to the CWU in recent days to seek clarification over whether it would guarantee staffing for its so-called life and limb contract.
Dave Ward, the CWU general secretary, refused to rule out disruption to 999 services when asked about it last month, with the union said to be ready to unveil strike dates as early as Wednesday.
BT staff voted last month to go on strike for the first time in 35 years, with union bosses arguing that a £1,500 pay rise proposed by the company was inadequate to help staff deal with the cost of living crisis.
The former state-owned monopoly is responsible for answering all 999 calls and is drawing up contingency plans to manage disruption if CWU members trained to provide the service go on strike.
A CWU spokesperson said: "The CWU has not yet called any industrial action, so any discussion over potential disruption is pure speculation at this stage."
Executives at the telecoms company are said to be confident about their ability to manage mobile and broadband networks during the strikes after extensive stress-testing during the pandemic.
BT declined to comment on discussions about the life and limb contract, but said: "BT Group awarded its highest pay rise for frontline colleagues in more than 20 years - an average 5% increase and up to 8% for those on the lowest salaries.
"Our job is to balance the competing demands of BT Group's stakeholders and that requires careful management, especially in a challenging economic environment."
It said it would "work to keep our customers and the country connected."
The Communication Workers Union
27 mins ·
UPDATE FOR OPENREACH & BT MEMBERS
Congratulations on delivering last week’s outstanding national strike ballot results. Here is a quick update for you.
As we set out on the day of the ballot result, we have now written to the CEO of BT Group, Philip Jansen setting out our approach to any further negotiations. We have committed to talks with the company but only if they are willing to improve their offer, agree to no further imposition on pay and agree that it would be subject to a CWU consultative ballot of all affected members.
We have given BT Group until Wednesday 13th July to respond.
We clearly hope BT Group see sense and the ballot result wakes them up but we have to be prepared to use the ballot result.
On this basis, we have called a branch forum of representatives from across the UK on Wednesday 13th July. This forum will discuss potential dates for the first Group wide strike action since 1987. We will further communicate with you following the forum.
In short, next week we will either enter into serious negotiations with the company or we will announce strike action. The ball is firmly in the company’s court.
Once again, well done on the great ballot results, let’s stay united to win this fight– unity is strength.
The CWU have just announced
LIVE - Press Conference to announce the results of the BT Group strike ballots including almost 30,000 Openreach workers and the biggest Call Centre Ballot Ever. Today at 16.00
Solidarity Brothers
Oh dear , all the capitalist fat cats flapping like a flag in a hurricane , just because a union legally ballots for strike action
Here is something to cheer you up boys
Clause 4 - To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry or service.
Even many of the managers are backing us , i can confirm this is actually happening
https://www.cwu.org/news/pay-defiance-at-one-braham-as-cwu-gears-up-for-the-biggest-union-meeting-ever/?fbclid=IwAR1tNPSivVx-N_Bxfn4WfF8laREPHaDNsdaWw1iujs9Fi6gI2L3Mmcw5p3s
Unions are not just about strikes , BT has only ever had 1 national strike since its creation . I have seen many people over the years , whos jobs have been saved , with union assistance , when rogue managers over step the mark.
Solidarity Brothers (and sisters)
You are very much mistaken Wetherboy , the EE call centre workers are on less then 20k/annum. And it looks like the BT call centre people will eventually earn a similar wage , as they will , in the future work for EE (corporate division)