TOP NEWS: BT reaches deal with union on pay and redundancy

(Alliance News) - Telecommunications proviver BT PLC said Thursday it has reached an agreement ...

Alliance News 8 July, 2021 | 12:07PM
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(Alliance News) - Telecommunications proviver BT PLC said Thursday it has reached an agreement with its largest union on issues including pay and voluntary redundancies.

London-based BT said the agreement with the Communication Workers Union covers how it will push ahead with its modernisation plans over the coming years.

A statement said: "The new set of principles, covering areas such as pay and redundancy, will ensure our colleagues continue to be treated fairly and with respect as we focus on growth, simplifying customer journeys, reducing the number of systems we have and transforming our offices into future fit workplaces."

BT said it is committed to giving a pay increase next year, although the amount will be determined nearer the time.

The company said it has agreed to look at the timing and location of some of the sites it is proposing to close in order to minimise the impact on workers.

"During the next 12 months we'll only propose to close buildings where we anticipate colleagues can relocate to an alternative location," it said.

"Once our proposed modernisation programme is complete, we'll be a leaner, simpler and more agile organisation with fewer people.

"As much as possible, this will be achieved through natural attrition as around 10,000 colleagues choose to leave BT a year.

"In areas where we may need to look at reducing roles, we've made a commitment to consider steps to avoid compulsory redundancy where we reasonably can.

"Where appropriate we'll do this by seeking volunteers through the broader use of voluntary paid leaver schemes, supporting colleagues to move to new roles by retraining and reskilling, and helping them to move to new locations."

A CWU spokesman said: "We are pleased that BT Group have recognised the role of the CWU in this new agreement.

"Through the support of our representatives and members we have managed to secure several concessions from the employer.

"The true test of this settlement will be in the coming months. We are willing to play our part in the modernisation of the company – as we have always done – but that cannot be to the detriment of our members' terms and conditions."

By Alan Jones, PA Industrial Correspondent

source: PA

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Security Name Price Change (%) Morningstar
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BT Group PLC 104.70 GBX -0.52

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