IN THIS ISSUE: P3 STRENGTH & NUMBERS IN EE P5 NEW BEGINNING AT AIRWAVE P7 BANKING DEALS IN SANTANDER Membership on the rise as the process Hopes rise that pay deal under Motorola Pay up across the board as groundbreaking of integration takes its first tentative steps ownership signals end of unsettling period new parental leave arrangements kick in

VOICETELECOMS & FINANCIAL SERVICES EDITION|MARCH & APRIL 2016|WWW.CWU.ORG FIGHTING THE TU BILL PAGE 11 CWU delivers unmissable message to Parliament as protest spotlights hypocrisy

INSIDE:

P3 FUJITSU BLOW P8 NO BREAK-UP! P12 PROPORTIONALITY P14 HOUSING CRISIS P16 NATIONALISATION Closure annoucement Stark warning that the CWU sets ambitious goal for Spiralling prices, ever more The steel crisis has sparked at Antrim triggers CWU structural separation of inclusivity as former Chelsea unaffordable rents and calls for public demands for more Openreach from BT footballer Paul Canoville tells a chronic shortage ownership of the redeployment would risk UK competitivity union activists of his own bitter of social housing lays industry. How about opportunities and better and increase performance experience of prejudice and bare a massive policy nationalising other redundancy terms management woes concerns about exclusion failure for all to see sectors as well? Tweet us using WELCOME GENERAL SECRETARY’S COLUMN @CWUnews INDUSTRY NEWS AND CAMPAIGNS NEWS

ContactUs REDESIGNING THE UNION CWU HQ - all enquiries Fast gaining strength and numbers in EE 150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1RX This edition of Voice is what needs to change. their ability to influence T: 020 8971 7200 going out on the eve of I will make it clear at the local working RECRUITING AND NEGOTIATING Harrassment Helpline 0800 107 1909 Conference, where we Conference that environment. Another big recruitment push was Have you changed your address? will have important everything is in scope. As the redesign in full flow at EE as Voice went to Please inform CWU about any changes to your debates about your key We have already started project unfolds, we want press, with the union determined to membership details. There are three different ensure that the company’s new ways to update your membership details: workplace issues, our the process of taking a an inclusive debate status as a wholly owned BT n Option 1 – Log into the members’ only section of the CWU website (www.cwu.org), industrial priorities and hard look at CWU across the whole union subsidiary proves a decisive using the username and password you have turning point for trade union previously been sent, and change your own wider political debates headquarters and are and we will introduce representation in the mobile giant. details. from the EU referendum Hot on the heels of the last series n Option 2 – Contact your branch secretary taking significant steps ways of directly of CWU profile-raising leafleting with your new details. DAVE WARD to campaigning against to deal with costs, engaging frontline n Option 3 – Contact CWU HQ on 020 8971 days which netted hundreds of 7447 or email your new details to GENERAL SECRETARY Ofcom. create better alignment members in shaping our new members in January and [email protected] and we will make the February, CWU organisers have necessary changes. Conference will also of resources and future. Please help us help you – keep your details receive a presentation on once again been out in force in the up to date develop strategies for Our aim is to improve foyers of all of EE’s big call centres the future of our the future. the overall effectiveness this month (April). organisation and why Starting in Doxford and For regular updates on breaking CWU of our union in the Greenock on April 4-5 the CWU news, follow Dave on social media. this is the right time to Inclusive debate workplace and in the ‘roadshow’ moved on to Merthyr Facebook: facebook.com/davewardcwu redesign our union. Soon after Conference, boardroom of companies Tydfil and North Tyneside on April Twitter: @DaveWardGS 11-12 and, at the time of printing, As I have said here we will also start the where we organise, CWU Legal Services: UNIONLINE visits to Plymouth and Darlington 0300 333 0303 before, some of this is a process of looking at our extend our presence in on April 18-19 were imminent. UNIONLINE is the CWU’s very own law firm necessary response to As well as handing out hundreds offering members and their families a fast branch and field new businesses, of recruitment packs and route to free, comprehensive legal advice. the financial and structures and the roles connect with answering questions about the Images from the latest recruitment events at EE sites across the country Benefits of CWU membership include: union, the CWU has been actively n Personal injury claims for members and organisational pressures and responsibilities of all communities and deliver family making the point that EE’s take- n Employment law advice (members only) we face from of our representatives. socially progressive over by a company with a long fourth time we’ve been welcomed individuals who want to become EE/BT marriage takes first people from BT and the same number n Free legal advice helpline membership decline and The CWU already has political change. track record of positive onto the Darlington and Plymouth actively involved in the life of the honeymoon steps from EE, but more are likely to follow. n Free will writing service The CWU has been in discussions CWU assistant secretary Allan n engagement with trade unions has sites. union,” he said. New free motor claims service the pace of change in the structures that mean we The redesign project about bringing EE staff across to work Eldred told Voice: “This is undoubtedly n No legal costs the potential to cement a sea- “On each occasion the number “We obviously believe there world of work – problems organise closer to our is underway and, as part change in the union’s relationship joining has increased, and, what’s would be massive advantages for alongside colleagues in BT Business, just the beginning of a lengthy process To register a claim or for any legal advice we share with pretty membership than of this, we will revamp with EE. particularly encouraging is the way EE employees in having the CWU as the two companies take the first between EE and BT that will accelerate call UNIONLINE on 0300 333 0303 Prior to last June, when the CWU in which an increasing number of able to negotiate on their behalf - steps in moving ever closer together. over the coming months and years. The integration of the BT Group and “At this time of major and continuing More information at www.unionline.co.uk much the whole trade virtually any other all of our was first granted unimpeded access our EE members are wanting to get and clearly to do that we’d need union movement. union. But, in communications, to the Plymouth and Darlington actively involved in the life of the people working in that line of the mobile phone network EE was change, it is important for EE staff to site foyers, union leafleters had union.” business to be at the heart of the given final clearance by the join the CWU, so that the union can do In most cases your branch should be But it also represents your first point of contact. Details redesigning the CWU, including this magazine. only been able to approach John stressed that ultimately it team doing the negotiations - but Competition and Markets Authority in all it can to ensure employees receive are on your membership card. an opportunity to have we must strengthen the You can read more employees at the site entrances, will be down to EE employees we won’t be going down the route January this year. The £12.5bn deal the best possible protection during this brought together the UK's largest time of transition.” Publication Editor an honest debate about support for our local about this in the article sometimes having to play a game themselves to determine the extent towards seeking formal negotiating Simon Alford of ‘cat and mouse’ with security of the role that the CWU can play on rights until we are certain that is fixed-line business and the biggest what we do well, where representatives and from our new head of guards! their behalf. what EE employees want. mobile telecoms business. Voice Journalist Assistant secretary John East told “As a trade union the CWU has “As such, our message to anyone BT Business is now setting up a Karl Stewart we can improve and members to increase communications below. the Voice: “This month’s always believed you need a strong who works for EE is simple: If you new customer service centre in “This is undoubtedly Contributors recruitment activities mark the membership base in order to think trade union representation Newcastle where a number of people just the beginning of a Helen Oswald and Paul Donovan third time we’ve been allowed negotiate successfully, so the aim at would improve your working lives, from EE have begun working directly lengthy process that direct access to employees at EE’s the moment is to build up our join the CWU and convince your alongside BT employees, selling each will accelerate” Voice stories and Communications other’s products. There are initially 10 Allan Eldred department main call centres nationally, and the membership and to encourage colleagues to do likewise.” 020 8971 7497 ENGAGING WITH YOU! Published on behalf of CWU by Century One Publishing Ltd. T: 01727 893 894 Huawei pay W: www.centuryonepublishing.uk am writing this column to introduce myself as Head We will be looking at changes across all areas – I of Communications, Engagement and Media. including day-to-day communications; social media; Fujitsu announces Antrim closure Advertising enquiries talks begin Felipe Dellinger Going forward, it is not my intention to have a regular the introduction of a new and revamped Voice; the T: 01727 739 183 feature in any of our publications. That space is best language we use; working with high profile media work to the Birmingham site, saving “Fujitsu has confirmed that the should move as many staff as the company more than £300,000 a decision is entirely cost driven, with possible to a new facility in Belfast – E: [email protected] used by other officials and most importantly, CWU figures on our campaigns; hosting more major events SIGNIFICANT RISE SOUGHT year. no complaints whatsoever about which we believe can accommodate

Designed and art edited by members. such as the People’s Post rally in Manchester last Fujitsu has been in the throes of quality or productivity at Antrim. the vast majority of those who would At the time of Voice going to press, Heena Gudka and Sarah Ryan

Over the last three months, as a department, we year; redesigning the CWU website and – most “Proposals for staff to reorganisation since April 2015, The two sites made a combined like to stay on, and many more than the CWU had opened discussions Telecoms cover image have been making changes to the way the CWU importantly – engaging with our representatives and relocate to Birmingham firstly when the Birmingham and profit of just over £100,000 last year. the small number currently on the 2016 Pay Review which CWU communicates. Some highlights include increasing members in every workplace and locality. We will are utterly unrealistic” Antrim Plants were brought under ~ suggested by Fujitsu. covers all ex-Telefónica grades that John East one management, then under new “Furthermore, those that are transferred to Huawei in 2012. Postal cover images Chris Webb Head our media profile, hosting a hugely successful day of make progress with new, modern forms of CWU action against the Trade Union Bill – culminating in a communication, but the most effective tool this union management. The company now says The statutory unable to make the move to Belfast The union was looking for a of Communication, that, by closing Antrim, the firm should get far better than the paltry significant pay rise that is fully giant projection onto the Houses of Parliament – and will ever have is face-to-face dialogue in the UNION FIGHTS FOR MEMBERS VOLUME 23 NUMBER 2 Engagement and would not only save the site costs, redundancy statutory redundancy being offered, consolidated and which at least © CWU 2016 Media bringing our video services in-house so that we can workplace. Everything we do must support this. CWU is battling hard to save jobs but also transport costs to Ireland, being offered is paltry which for many amounts to a matches the recent pay rise of get them online more quickly. This is just the start. I am excited by the opportunity to work for the CWU and get the best possible terms for since most of the equipment miserable four weeks’ money at low 2.35% in Telefónica recommended John East At CWU Conference we will start to set out some and, having spent many years as a member and members at Fujitsu who were requiring repair originates in Great CWU assistant secretary wage rates. We have pointed out to by the union and ratified by radical changes in our approach. Following representative, I can assure everyone that my focus is suddenly told in March that the Britain. the company that there is a precedent members. Conference, we will engage our members in a survey on working with the officers to deliver a strategy that company had decided to begin a At the time Voice went to press, for a far better offer, somewhat As this magazine was printed it that will offer everyone the chance to input into the supports you on the ground. That is where this union consultation on closing its Antrim CWU negotiators were in tense talks, “The union has pointed out to ironically dating back to was hoped that discussions would Repair Plant in Northern Ireland. aiming to ensure that the effects of management that proposals for redundancies at the Birmingham be concluded by the end of April. direction of the union’s communications. is at its strongest. 40 workers are affected by the this blow on the Antrim-based people to relocate across the Irish Sea plant in 2009.” An update on the outcome of proposal to shut down the plant by employees are minimised. to Birmingham are utterly The outcome of the talks will be negotiations will be reported in the the end of August and move the Assistant secretary John East said: unrealistic. Instead, the company reported in the next issue of Voice. next issue of Voice.

2 VOICE MARCH | APRIL 2016 MARCH | APRIL 2016 VOICE 3 NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS AND CAMPAIGNS

State pension Win for Capita changes... New jobs promise becomes reality Equinix pay up amidst upheaval redeployees BT CONSUMER across the UK.” Thanking members for their our members being TUPE’d into that going concern that will provide long- IMPACT ON BTPS INVESTIGATED The new attendance patterns overwhelming support for the 1% organisation,” explains Davie. term and secure jobs for the future.” Hundreds of new jobs are being associated with the Transformation plus £565 consolidated payment deal Meanwhile, talks on the With that in mind, the CWU has On April 6 the Government created at BT Consumer, as the Agreement continue to be rolled out “The pay rises are that the union secured in tough talks, forthcoming TUPE have been already broached the issue of introduced a Single Tier Pension (STP) groundbreaking Transformation and so far about 85% of Advisors better than those in assistant secretary Davie Bowman progressing well, with Equinix extending the CWU bargaining unit to replace the existing Basic State Agreement sees call centre work have got their first preferences. The non-unionised parts of pointed out that the package agreeing that all terms and in the soon to be divested part of the Company reaffirms its Pension (BSP) and State Second flood back to the UK from overseas CWU is keen to ensure that this the company” delivered more for those in the conditions will transfer over company to include not just the four commitment to earlier Pension (S2P). The impact of the and agency staff brought in-house. number is pushed up as high as Davie Bowman unionised part of Equinix on the unchanged. ex-Telecity London data centres in redeployment deal changes for BT members across the BT Consumer recently announced possible. same pay rates as those in the non- The CWU has also been keeping which the union has recognition but Sally Bridge different BT pensions will vary. Some 25 jobs in Cardiff and 100 in The main reason Advisors have DEAL IN PLACE BEFORE TUPE unionised centres – a great reason for close tabs on the arrangements that also one in West Drayton that are likely to see improvements in their Doncaster, on top of 80 new posts in not been offered their first choice those not currently members to join will be followed for the sale itself, Equinix is also being forced to sell. MORE SECURITY IN GLASGOW State pensions, but a significant Warrington and 36 in Aberdeen, all has been due to the number that Members in Equinix – the data centre the CWU and expand the union’s and has been pleasantly reassured by Davie concludes. “That’s another number are likely to receive lower of which will be directly recruited opted for a four-day or a three-day company that recently purchased collective influence! the diligence of the European reason why we’re pleased that the Capita has committed to finding pensions from the State than under over the coming few months. A week, which require long days, and TelecityGroup and is now in the The deal applies to all CWU grade Commission with regards to CWU-negotiated pay rises that have full-time, permanent current arrangements. further 125 jobs have also been this has led to discussions about midst of a major restructuring prior former TelecityGroup employees ensuring that the acquiring company been overwhelmingly endorsed by redeployment opportunities at The CWU is working hard to clarify announced across the Glasgow, rest break arrangements. to the forthcoming divestment of five now in Equinix, including those who will be a stable entity – not a cowboy members are better than those their Skypark call centre in and deal with the implications of these South Shields, Exeter, Swansea and “I am pleased that the CWU has data centres in the UK at the behest are in the process of being placed in outfit looking for short-term profits received by people conducting Glasgow, for all Capita employees changes. The consequences for Liverpool sites. now reached agreement with BT of competition watchdogs – have the part of the company that will be or asset-stripping. similar work in non-unionised parts on the O2 account wanting to stay members of Sections B and C of the BT Earlier this year, the company also over the issue of breaks. This voted by 98% to 2% in favour of a sold on to fulfill the conditions “It’s clear that the EU’s monitoring of the company on similar pay on with Capita after their work Pension Scheme, which ‘contracted in’ unveiled up to 100 apprenticeships, focuses on splitting lunch breaks for CWU-negotiated pay deal which will placed on Equinix’s acquisition by trustee that is overseeing the process rates.” stream transferred at the end of to the S2P in April 2009, are which will be recruited into attendances including days longer see 80% receive rises of 3% or more. the European Commission. is determined to ensure that March. particularly complex. This is because, Accrington, Cardiff, Dundee, Exeter, than eight paid hours. At the same The percentage/flat-rate hybrid “Given the upheaval that is whoever buys the divested business This agreement comes at the end since 2009, members in these sections Liverpool, Newcastle and Swansea. time, we have protected the two deal brokered by CWU negotiators currently underway, it was will provide real competition to of a long process which has seen have been directly linked to the This is all in addition to the 500 hour and 45 minute maximum ‘sit secures an inflation-busting 4.1% for particularly important for the CWU Equinix for years to come,” stresses many former O2 members in Bury operation of the S2P. agency staff that were offered a BT time’ as well as existing paid the lowest paid workers and a full negotiating team to secure a good Davie. “That’s important to us, as we and Glasgow, who were TUPE’d As part of the 2009 agreement contract in the latest conversion breaks. This agreement will enable percentage point above the current settlement for all of our members want to be certain that whatever over from Telefónica to Capita between BT and the CWU to exercise. more four- and three-day weeks to RPI of 1.3% for top earners receiving prior to the creation of the new organisation takes on part of our some years ago, choose to take safeguard the future of the BTPS, at Assistant secretary Nigel Cotgrove be offered and more members to get just shy of £45,000. divested business and a number of former Telecity membership is a voluntary redundancy. state retirement age Section B/C said: “Since we reported 1,000 new their first choice,” concluded Nigel. CWU assistant secretary Sally pensions are reduced by an ‘offset’ jobs in the last Voice, we can now see Bridge said: “The CWU expressed l As Voice went to press a further 40 jobs had been amount equal to an individual’s S2P. A monster tamed: Image from the CWU’s 2003 ‘Pink Elephant’ campaign against offshoring the promise becoming a reality as concern that, for those who did As the new STP is different from the more and more posts are created announced in Swansea. not want to take redundancy in continuing S2P offset, members’ total Glasgow, there was no offer of pension benefits from April 2016 will Looking to the future at Airwave full-time, permanent roles on the not necessarily be the same as before continuing John Lewis or Scottish the change. The CWU understands Power customer service accounts. that, for the majority of BTPS “We argued strongly that our members, they will be lower. Pay rise a ‘step in the right direction’ members needed to be reassured Assistant secretary Nigel Cotgrove “Not long ago it looked that Capita is committed to the told the Voice: “We’re currently AGENCY INJUSTICE CONTINUES in the right direction and will be The increases are as follows: lives. Mostly it is younger members as if the whole terms of the redeployment reviewing the existing arrangements very much welcomed by our n South Shields/Truro/Lancaster – who are affected and this will help workforce would be agreement and to finding long- with BT. This is not an easy task as the CWU members on ‘pay between Manpower members. increase to £7.20 from 27 March them a lot, especially in their home vulnerable” term, alternative roles. We have n impact will be different for almost assignment’ (PBA) contracts at “However, it will still not mean Dundee – Service & Sales – lives. John East finally received~ that assurance.” everyone, and it will depend on a Manpower are finally to see an that they achieve parity with their increase to £7.20 and further “Some of them were having to top range of factors including age, income increase in their pay after years of BT counterparts and we will increase to £8 from 1 June up with benefits and that can’t be ACQUISITION SPELLS STABILITY and length of BTPS membership. languishing on lower rates than continue to pressure Manpower and n Canterbury/Newcastle Sales – right. The union will “The Government has introduced their fellow BT workers. BT to end this unfair situation.” increase to £8 from 1 May. “As a branch, we were in the Members at Airwave have not cease to some transitional arrangements. We The members affected are agency Pauline Rourke, Retail Secretary forefront of the CWU campaign to overwhelmingly accepted a 2% believe this means that, provided workers working on BT The new hourly rate of CWU Edinburgh Dundee & secure a fair deal for agency across-the-board CWU-negotiated press the company to individuals reach State retirement age assignments who, because of a that will come into Borders branch, said: “This is great workers, so it’s something to pay rise, which the union hopes meet its commitment effect in Canterbury will draw a line under an by 2020, there won’t be a detrimental loophole in the EU Temporary £8 and Newcastle on May 1 news for this site. The increase will celebrate – and it does credit to the Sally Bridge effect from the changes. We will report Agency Workers Directive (TAWD) make a huge difference to people’s union for pushing on this.” unsettling period at the company. CWU assistant secretary further on the review in due course.” that is being exploited by Talks commenced just after For large numbers of CWU Manpower, are exempted from the Airwave’s acquisition by Motorola members in the BT Retirement Saving right to pay equal to that of their Solutions – a development which Capita has also agreed that, in Scheme (BTRSS) too, the Single Tier directly employed counterparts that itself followed months of the meantime, new offline roles on Pension will, over time, be lower than the Directive secured for longer- speculation about the long-term the O2 account will be available to the current combination of Basic State serving agency workers on zero- future of the secure all redeployees at Glasgow on a Pension and S2P. Nigel commented: hour contracts. Most of those who communications provider seconded basis from April to “This is concerning for BTRSS originally benefit ed from the 'equal following the Government’s September (to assist with members. The union has a treatment' aims of the TAWD have decision to serve notice on its major New beginning: The CWU hopes a line has been drawn under an unsettling period at Airwave Knowledge Base). If an alternative longstanding commitment to secure now been ‘converted’ to permanent contract. permanent role becomes available improvements to the BTRSS, on top of BT roles. Yet despite the tense backdrop, during that time, a person would those we achieved in 2009. These CWU assistant secretary Sally the deal thrashed out represents a “On top of that, our members at more secure future, which itself John continues: “We’ve be released from secondment. changes will increase our Bridge said: “The union has real-term pay increase for a Airwave now know they are part of starts with a real-term pay rise. continually raised the problems Sally concluded: “This is only determination to secure them.” constantly pressed the company to workforce that can now look a much larger company which has “I’m pleased to say that the CWU and unfairness caused by the Cover the first wave of members leaving Section A of the BTPS has always address the fact that these people forward to a more stable future. many other contracts, providing negotiating team has ensured that Allowance only being available for on redundancy at Glasgow, there been ‘contracted out’ of the S2P. As a typically get paid below their Assistant secretary John East other potential workstreams down everyone receives 2% – regardless of those people who cover a higher will be other workers on the O2 result of the Government changes, directly-employed BT counterparts explains: “Motorola have already the line. whether they are paid within their banded post for periods of a week account that are expected to stay members will start to pay the higher doing exactly the same jobs, and gone to the Government and have “Not so long ago it was looking as sub-range or above it – and that all or more. The company has now on until June. rate NI contributions (as will BT) and that they are, unfairly, not subject to renegotiated the Emergency if the whole workforce would be allowances also rise by 2% as well. agreed to our request that it will be “It is the priority of the union to build up an entitlement to the Single the same yearly pay reviews and Services Network contract – vulnerable after the formal expiry of This is a good deal.” paid on a daily basis. ensure that all those seeking Tier Pension. Nigel said: “If Section A rises – but Manpower’s typical securing an extension for Airwave the current contract in 2017 – yet n On top of the pay offer, which “We believe this is good news for redeployment have the maximum members have a full NI history since response has been that they pay the until 2019. After that, Motorola is now staff can look forward to a far became effective on April 1, the all members that will allow them to opportunities and options made 1978, it is expected the State pension ‘market rate’. one of the three companies that will CWU has also secured the be properly rewarded for working available. will be greater, under the new system, “BT’s response has been to deliver the new contract to provide company’s agreement to address a at a higher level. We also think this “The union will not cease to by a modest amount.” distance themselves from these secure communications for the The across-the- long-standing bugbear regarding will aid career development since press the company to meet its ➤ SEE SALLY’S VIDEO HERE board settlement employees and claim no emergency services, meaning that the cover allowances paid to people are much more likely to commitment until every one of l See more information in Letter to Branches No. % flows through to responsibility. there will still be work for staff to individuals covering higher-paid acquire new skills if they are these redeployees has a full-time, 150/2016 which can be viewed at www.cwu.org Still seeking pay parity: The CWU’s ongoing ‘Closing the Loopholes’ campaign aims to address the fundamental unfairness of unequal agency pay 2 allowances “This increase is definitely a step do. roles. rewarded for doing so.” permanent role.”

MARCH | APRIL 2016 VOICE 5 4 VOICE MARCH | APRIL 2016 NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS SANTANDER GROUP FOCUS FEATURE

Online joining a big success Pay deal and more talks at Telefónica a significant increase on the initial fundamental failings in the complex proposals we received from the ‘Academy’ system. business at the start of our “Frankly the jury is still out on discussions, and I’m absolutely this point,” stresses Sally. “From the “This is long overdue convinced we pushed the business as CWU’s perspective, the fact that only and a significant far as we could. a handful of our members have so improvement on the “The deal is well above inflation far successfully made it through the old system” and, as such, reflects the huge ‘Academy’ system to reach the Tony Kearns contribution that hard-working staff ‘advanced’ pay point is simply have made to the company’s unacceptable, because we only RECRUITMENT commercial success.” agreed to the new reward structure As part of the deal, pay in 2014 on the basis that the third Since it was launched last month, progression payments were also pay point would be real and almost 300 new members have joined agreed for Tech Spec, Business achievable – not pie in the sky. CWU through the online joining Support and T&E grade employees “On that basis we’ve asked procedure. who are not at the maximum of their Telefónica for a root and branch “It’s clear this has been a significant pay range. review - but the company has n addition to our recruitment tools,” Sally Bridge outside an O2 store, where the union is pressing for answers on pay progression Detailed discussions are responded that a review would be reports CWU senior deputy general continuing with regards to a premature because it’s satisfied that secretary Tony Kearns, who has particular pay progression problem significant numbers are going spearheaded the introduction of the became effective on April 1. that the CWU believes exists in the though the ‘Academy’ and are about O2 PAY & PAY PROGRESSION new system. CWU assistant secretary Sally O2 Stores. to achieve accreditation. BANKING THE DEALS... All postal, telecommunications and Members at Telefónica have Bridge, who led the union’s Tensions there relate to a “We’ve asked to see the evidence financial services workers can now overwhelmingly accepted an negotiating team, expressed her widespread perception amongst and the company has committed to Across Santander Group,members have overwhelmingly ratified a series of CWU-brokered pay rises - with ballot returns access immediate union membership inflation-beating 2.35% pay increase. delight at the level of support employees that the ‘Academy’ skills provide it at our next meeting through the new online joining The one-year CWU-negotiated received for a package which, she accreditation system is failing to (scheduled to take place on April 20, indicating enormous support for the negotiating agenda the union adopted and the real-term increases it secured. As a by- procedure. Following successful deal provides for a fully said, “stacks up well against recent allow even highly experienced staff just after Voice went to press) – so product, employees are also benefiting from groundbreaking new parental leave arrangements. Simon Alford reports… internal testing and live trials at three consolidated rise that flows through pay settlements and is certainly members to progress to the top of the onus is now firmly on Telefónica branches, the new system officially to all salary-related allowances and above average.” their pay scale. to prove that the CWU’s concerns are ‘went live’ nationwide on March 14. will apply to general population Sally added: “Talks took place over For some time CWU concerns misplaced. he CWU has applauded most enlightened employers on employee, they will allow a grandparent commitment to family-friendly policies.” “People can now join in five clicks,” grade employees in contact centres, several months, this offer represented have been mounting that the tiny “The only meaningful Santander Group’s progressive maternity issues. to use the shared parental leave so long While the extension of shared parental says Tony. “That makes it faster for engineering roles and high street number of people who have so far demonstration of that would be a big approach to shared parental “Come the end of July, both as that grandparent is also a Santander leave to include grandparents employed reps to recruit and quicker for workers shops across the UK. Support for the managed to reach the third increase in the numbers graduating leave following the company’s maternity and adoptive leave will go up Group employee. by Santander was originally scheduled to to access the first-class representation Accepted by an impressive 94% of CWU-brokered deal ‘advanced’ pay point, since the through the ‘Academy’ and reaching decision to press ahead from 14 weeks at full pay to 16 weeks, “This means that a Santander employee come into force at the end of July, the % could scarcely T the CWU offers. members in a consultative ballot that 94 have been higher introduction of a new reward the ‘advanced’ pay point, so we’re immediately with plans to broaden the which is obviously very welcome going on maternity leave can now choose company has now decided to implement “Under the old system, a closed on March 23, the increase structure in 2014, is indicative of waiting with bated breath!” provision to include grandparents in indeed, but it is in respect to shared to share her parental leave with either her it with immediate effect after receiving its membership application could take up certain circumstances. parental leave that Santander is really partner or her mother or father, or the first application from an employee keen to several weeks to process, but now Assistant secretary John East, who blazing a trail that we hope other baby’s paternal grandmother or to benefit from the new provision. an applicant will receive an immediate John East leads the CWU’s negotiations with companies decide to follow. grandfather, so long as the individual in John East concludes: “We’re obviously confirmation email and a national Santander, explains: “As part of the “Not only is it increasing shared question works for Santander. delighted that Santander has decided to membership number as soon as she or recent pay deal we agreed new enhanced parental leave from 14 weeks at “This is a truly enlightened move that bring forward the new scheme to allow he has pushed the ‘send’ button.” Calling young workers across the UK maternity, adoptive and shared parental statutory pay to 16 weeks at full pay – goes well beyond the current this particular family to benefit from a Within a week, new members are leave – the latter of which places but Santander has agreed that, where requirements of UK legislation and new provision which the company can be now receiving full details of the branch NEW FOCUS ON YOUTH Santander in the vanguard of Britain’s the mother is a Santander Group demonstrates an industry-leading justifiably proud of.” to which they have been allocated, and the contact details for their nearest The CWU’s first ever ‘Young Workers CWU rep and branch officer. Action Week’ took place last month, “Online joining is now being used comprising five days of activity GROUP-WIDE PAY RISES Meanwhile, workers across Santander Group are reaping the benefit of a series of CWU-negotiated pay rises… by our reps and organisers who carry across the telecoms and financial out recruitment activities and also will services sectors to promote the be a part of the CWU induction importance of trade union Santander & Geoban Produban took part in the vote “ said John. salaries backdated to March 1, 2016. sessions which take place within the membership to the under 35s. Santander workers and their colleagues Meanwhile, members in Produban have “I think it’s safe to say that the result provides CWU assistant secretary John East said: major businesses that employ the Across the country T&FS branches employed by the company’s customer support overwhelmingly accepted a CWU-negotiated pay a pretty clear indication that the vast majority of “Negotiations with Isban on pay were majority of CWU members,” Tony mounted a wide range of initiatives service provider Geoban have received pay deal which increased wages by a minimum of 2% members think their negotiators have done a complicated by the company’s desire to continued, adding that the union’s designed to reach out to young increases above the rate of inflation following from March 1 in all but a handful of cases. pretty good job. 2% is well above the current harmonise the grading structure within the industrial executives have received a members and non-members alike – two overwhelming ballot endorsements by On an 80% ballot turnout a staggering 92% of rate of inflation, and while the deal is company. The legacy grading structure, full ‘online joining’ presentation and a the intention being not just to raise CWU members. those casting their vote heeded the advice of performance related in Produban – unlike in inherited from Alliance & Leicester under TUPE, letter has gone out to all branches awareness of what trade union Majorities in favour, of 94% and 98% CWU negotiators and voted in favour of the one- Santander and Geoban – the net result in has led to members of different A&L grades briefing about the new system. membership offers young workers respectively, indicated huge support for the year performance related deal. people’s pockets is at least as good as that performing the same work but being paid at “Of course this won’t, of itself, solve but to encourage active involvement three-year deals, which were negotiated at The settlement gives the vast majority of CWU- achieved for our members in Santander itself. differing points on the salary scale. all of the challenges and difficulties we in the CWU by a generation that is each business by committees of lay reps led by represented grades a fully consolidated increase “Crucially, the rise is fully consolidated in all “A key part of our claim was that all members face, but the early signs are that it is having it tough in a host of ways. CWU assistant secretary John East. of 2% and those in the top two performance cases, including for individuals who are already receive a pay rise this year no matter what their proving to be a swift and Young workers, after all, rank Responding to the voting results, John said: bands 2.1% and 2.2% respectively. paid above the maximum of their pay band. position in scale. The negotiations stalled on this straightforward method that people amongst some of the most likely to “It’s extremely pleasing to see members Just two CWU members with lower than “Just as is the case for CWU members who point and were in the process of being escalated are finding easy to use. be struggling with spiralling housing support our recommendations to accept these average performance ratings will receive an have already accepted similar pay settlements when a compromise proposal was agreed that, “Online joining is long overdue and costs, insecure and exploitative pay deals, both of which mean rises above the increase of less than 2% – but the union has for 2016 in Santander and Geoban, the deal we subject to the CWU claim being met, talks on it’s a significant improvement on the employment and indebtedness – all rate of inflation for this year and substantial, secured Produban’s agreement that, should their secured is above that offered by any of the other pay harmonisation would begin with the aim of old system,” Tony concluded. of which are issues on which the consolidated increases in years two and three. ratings improve by mid-year, they will qualify for major high street banks to date.” reaching agreement before next year. Since we Deputy general secretary Andy CWU is actively campaigning – in Images from some of the many ‘Young Workers Action Week’ initiatives that took place across the Telecoms & Financial Services sectors And it was pleasing that the turnout to vote was the appropriate rise to be backdated to July 1. have no in principle opposition to harmonisation Kerr told Voice: “This is an excellent addition to the workplace issues that so high – 78% in Geoban.” Thanking members at the wholly owned CWU digs in to win pay victory at Isban – it is on what basis it is done – we readily new system, which is really making a are common to all workers, whatever The agreements also set in place Living Santander subsidiary for their solid support, The CWU has won through following tense agreed. We’re delighted Isban employees have positive difference to our reps and their age. responses will form the basis of a Contact Centre Action initiatives that protection of trade unions wherever Wage and London Living Wage adjustments assistant secretary John East pointed out that, negotiations at Isban, securing a salary increase accepted the deal by such a decisive margin.” organisers out in the field. In order to help the CWU’s T&FS reinvigorated drive to make the are now a well established part of the they work. that will mean rises of 5% for the lowest paid even taking into account those who had not cast for all team members, roundly accepted in a In an electronic ballot which secured a “We’re also looking to make some department to prioritise its CWU as relevant and responsive as T&FS recruitment and organising “A big thank you to all those workers, as well as the consolidation of the a vote, virtually three quarters of the entire decisive ballot. remarkable 88% turnout, no fewer than 91% of improvements that will assist branch campaigning and negotiating possible to young workers, wherever landscape. branches who pulled out the stops to “You Choose” allowance worth up to £315 per workforce had positively ratified the deal. Employees will receive at least 2% no matter members voted in favour of the deal. secretaries in response to their agenda, a special electronic survey they work in the T&FS sectors. “What we wanted to try to do was make our first Young Workers Action year and improvements to salary-band “As with the other Santander Group whether their current salary is within their legacy The union is now set to begin talks to secure feedback.” was sent out to more than 13,000 Deputy general secretary Andy emulate the success of these events in Week a success on which I hope we’ll progression, maternity, adoption and shared companies in which we’ve recently had pay grade scale, or above it, rising to 3% based on harmonised salary bands across Isban before members who are under the age of Kerr told the Voice: “The idea for the call centre environment in other be able to build in the future.” parental leave. ballots, its really pleasing that so many people performance. The payment will be made in April next year’s salary negotiations. l Please contact your branch secretary or the SDGS 35. Young Workers Action Week workplaces – conscious of the fact department at CWUHQ with any queries. l Once they have been analysed, the stemmed from the success of the that young people need the Full story at www.cwu.org/voice/

VOICE 6 VOICE MARCH | APRIL 2016 MARCH | APRIL 2016 7 FEATURE WARNING TO OFCOM

overcome to provide truly universal From the CWU’s perspective any form n FACT: As a result, 90% of UK premises working days the following year ultra-fast broadband coverage. of separation, could have massive can access fibre optic connections which n Openreach must fix at least 94% of “We simply don’t believe there’s any implications for job security, terms and will soon climb to 95% as BT extends its faults on its leased line network within credible rationale or logic in thinking that conditions and the pension scheme, not superfast broadband network to tens of five hours BT BREAK-UP WOULD BE A breaking up BT is the answer to poor only for the 32,000 employees of thousands more premises a week. n Openreach will have to give competitors broadband in parts of the UK. In fact, the Openreach but potentially for those in n FACT: BT has not been handed £1.7bn physical access to its fibre-optic cables opposite is the case – it would jeopardise other parts of BT as well. of tax payers’ money to roll out from October 1, 2017. BT has been told it future network investment, especially in Greater structural separation of broadband as was recently claimed in a must come up with detailed answers as to “WRECKERS’ CHARTER” rural and remote areas. Openreach, by way of it being converted report by Conservative MP Grant Shapps. how this will work in practice by the end “Whilst Ofcom appear to be backing into a wholly owned BT Group subsidiary, In fact, BT has so far received around of this year. New demands imposed With speculation rife about the future of Openreach in BT Group – and the company’s competitors pressurising the regulator away from full structural separation of could, the union argues: £700m in public subsidy to support its by the regulator could The CWU has various concerns about Openreach from BT – although it’s not n Jeopardise much needed investment in own £3bn investment in hard to reach easily exacerbate these developments, and one of the to make far-reaching decisions that would benefit them commercially – the CWU is highlighting the massive risks that any entirely off the table – the suggestion that the UK’s network infrastructure areas, and has handed back £129m where existing performance biggest worries is the potential for an Openreach should be largely separated n Kill off private sector funding for customer take-up is higher than expected. management pressures increase in pressure on members in form of structural separation could spell for not just workers but the whole of UK plc. Voice reports on the implications... in Openreach from the rest of BT by turning it into a remote and economically disadvantaged The truth is that no other company has Openreach’s Business & Corporate wholly owned subsidiary could well communities, leaving taxpayers to fund an been prepared to invest in the Delivery (B&CD) division that the tougher involve most of the risk associated with even greater shortfall Government’s BDUK scheme, which service levels being imposed by the oes Britain want to be masters, will have to make – and, at trounced as factually flawed and plain on from the regulator’s decision that full separation. It would be extremely n Threaten job security and terms and requires match funding and making regulator are likely to bring. in the international present, it’s by no means certain that the wrong in multiple areas by respected Openreach had to be ‘functionally complex, time-consuming and expensive conditions of work in both Openreach and network assets available to other CWU national officer for Openreach super-league of high- answer they come up with will chime industry experts – and the CWU calling separated’ from BT, Ofcom now appears – diverting money and effort away from BT operators, because they cannot see a Davie Bowman told the Voice: “Actions speed broadband with the generally accepted truism that for a “dangerous fog of misinformation, to be confirming earlier media reports Openreach’s ability to modernise the n Undermine Openreach’s quality of business case for funding expensive inevitably have consequences and, when connectivity? Or the UK’s future prosperity relies on conjecture and blatant commercial bias to that it doesn’t see the status quo as being network and make it available for every service improvements networks in uneconomic areas. companies are forced to do more, faster, should the very world-class broadband provision. be blown away before key decisions are allowed to continue unchanged. customer – and do nothing to improve n Slow down the pace of broadband “Virgin Media, Sky and TalkTalk have and for less, it’s inevitable that pressure company that is In January the risk of a potentially made on the future landscape of Britain’s CWU deputy general secretary Andy customer service. delivery across the UK and leave the never demonstrated any desire to invest ultimately flows down to those who are investing the most to perverse decision being made was telecommunications industry” – Kerr told the Voice: “This is obviously “An independent Openreach would nation trailing behind its global in rolling out and improving networks in actually conducting the tasks in question. Dupgrade the UK’s network infrastructure highlighted by the shock publication of a subsequent developments have not been extremely concerning – especially coming not benefit from the stability and access competitors. remote parts of the UK because the “That can easily result in additional Andy Kerr be deliberately hampered in its Parliamentary report that quoted highly entirely encouraging. in the wake of January’s badly researched to capital that comes with being part of Andy added: “It’s hard to overstate the business case simply isn’t there, especially performance management (PM) pressures endeavours in order to boost the profit- questionable statistics and assumptions to In February Ofcom published its Parliamentary British Infrastructure the BT Group. And with pressure from enormity of what the greater structural in the short term,” stresses CWU deputy being placed on staff – and, while it has to making potential of its competitors? justify demands for BT and Openreach to ‘Initial Conclusions’ to a ‘ten-year review’ Group report that showed zero investors for dividends, it would not be separation of Openreach would mean to general secretary Andy Kerr. be said that the field staff in B&CD is one In a nutshell, that’s the choice that be split up. it has been conducting into understanding of the physical and able to sustain anything like the level of our members, even if it was to remain a “BT has been able to do this, with the part of Openreach where PM has not been Ofcom, and ultimately its political Despite that report being immediately communications markets – and a decade geographical challenges that need to be BT’s current network investment.” part of BT Group. If Openreach was to help of some public funding, because it a particular problem to date, this has to be become a wholly owned subsidiary, that has the size and scale to be able to justify a worry.” would probably result in Openreach a big long-term investment commitment. Elsewhere in Openreach, after all, the employees having to be TUPE’d over into If BT was broken up, this commitment PM situation has been far from rosy – as the new entity. would no longer be viable.” reported in recent issues of Voice. Against “What’s really hard to stomach, Other myths include: £20bn this backdrop, the CWU is naturally however, is that all of this turmoil would n Claims by some competitors that BT The investment BT has concerned that additional pressures being Davie Bowman made in its networks essentially be needless and counter- discriminates in favour of its own Retail over the past decade imposed by the regulator could result in a productive, because it would do nothing arm, despite the functional separation of couldn’t be maintained new wave of PM problems when the to speed up the rollout of high-speed Openreach. The truth, however, is that post-BT break-up union is still wading through a raft of broadband provision that this exercise is current regulation requires Openreach to personal cases in a bid to resolve the ostensibly all about. In fact, it would provide equal access to its services for all horrific fallout from the last big surge. almost certainly slow it down, as apart operators, and there is no evidence of any Davie said: “We’re now in the latter from diverting attention from the really discrimination taking place. % stages of a blanket review of hundreds of n 95 important broadband challenge at hand, Claims that BT is too dominant in the PM case that Openreach finally agreed to Contrary to the picture legally separating Openreach from BT UK broadband market. In fact it holds just painted by competitors, after emergency talks with the CWU just would cost many millions of pounds and 33% of the retail broadband market. 90% of premises have after Christmas. Members can rest assured ultimately there is only one pot of cash.” That’s a lower market share for fixed superfast broadband and that the wholly unacceptable way in Most painful of all, Andy insists, is that broadband than the incumbent operator this will soon hit 95% which Service Delivery and NOTV, in the whole spurious agenda of there being of any of the other five largest European particular, deviated from the principles of any ‘advantage’ to consumers in BT being economies. The truth is that the UK has the Group-wide ‘Two-way Deal’ on broken up is primarily being driven by the one of the most competitive broadband performance management in the latter commercial interests of the company’s markets in the world, with the highest £700m part of last year is under close scrutiny broadband rivals. level of choice and the lowest prices Claims BT has received and branches are in the process of £1.7bn of BDUK money “It’s these companies, more than against a number of measures. are crazy. Just £700m reviewing many cases. anyone else, that are lobbying Ofcom to Andy concludes: “The risk is that the has been paid to bolster “But while we’ve clearly got the attack Openreach – even though they myths being put in the public arena by BT’s £3bn investment in company to accept that something went ironically rely heavily on its network to those who have a vested interest in seeing hard to reach areas seriously wrong last year – and some really deliver their services – but really they’re BT broken up could end up swaying the important procedural safeguards are now only interested in getting more broadband argument – and, as such, all CWU in place to hopefully prevent a recurrence – customers and greater access to BT’s members have a part to play when it % it’s still far too early to say that we’re out network at a lower price,” Andy comes to challenging this misinformation. 33 of the woods on the PM issue. concludes. “The fact is that BT Group is facing a Competitors’ claims “What’s needed first is a fundamental “They don’t care if BT goes down the profound threat, and we need to speak that BT dominates the change of culture that redefines the tube and, while they’re ostensibly having out because the outcome could be bad for UK retail broadband relationship between the first line manager a go at Openreach in this instance, what our members, bad for anyone living in an market simply don’t and individual team members as one reflect its market share they’re really going for is the 33% of the area with poor broadband provision and based on trust and mutual respect – and UK broadband market held by BT bad for the future of UK plc.” the worry has to be that new pressures Consumer. being placed on Openreach by the “The CWU believes this is a case of PM fears heightened regulator will make this transition even narrow commercial interests putting the In a separate move, last month Ofcom harder than it was always going to be.” whole of the UK’s broadband published its ‘Business Connectivity The extent to which PM is still very infrastructure at risk.” Market Review’, in which the regulator much a ‘live’ issue across BT, and in sets out tough new requirements on BT to Openreach in particular, is reflected in the Tackling myths improve its performance in installing large number of associated motions that Apart from contributing forcefully to high-speed business lines. have been tabled for debate at next week’s Ofcom’s various consultations, the CWU Following hot on the heels of a recent CWU Annual Conference in has been working hard to debunk the debate in Parliament on BT’s services to Bournemouth. myths that those promoting the break-up local businesses, the report concludes that Davie concludes: “It is clear from the of BT are pedalling. Openreach is taking too long to install content of the motions submitted, One of the biggest falsehoods doing the leased lines and charging too much. specifically referring to Openreach issues, rounds is that BT is under-investing and As a result, the communications that the company still has a long way to go not doing enough with taxpayers’ money. regulator is proposing that: to convince our members and branches Both these assertions are demonstrably n By the end of March 2017, Openreach that they are willing to change. The wrong: must complete 80% of leased line orders strength of feeling is clear and, no doubt, n FACT: BT has invested £20bn over the by the date it promises customers, rising the contributions in the debates will reflect past 10 years in its networks. This to 90% from April 2018 that. Openreach must accept that a new includes £3bn for hard to reach areas n BT must reduce the time between order approach is needed and that the culture of A devastating and needless fissure that must be avoided: The CWU believes that any form of structural separation of BT and Openreach imposed by OFCOM would be a dangerous thunderbolt for not just the union’s pan-BT Group mbershipmem but also for the UK’s international competitivity through the Government’s Broadband and the line going live to 46 working days fear, micro-management and isolation of Delivery UK (BDUK) scheme. by the end of March 2017, and to 40 our members must cease.” V

VOICE 9 8 VOICE MARCH | APRIL 2016 MARCH | APRIL 2016 LETTERS VOICEMAIL TRADE UNION BILL FEATURE

A crisis in housing received, and whilst lying there I got Can anyone explain to me what thinking about the people bringing exactly a ‘key worker’ is? As an ill- me meals, my drinks, clean linen, TU BILL: THE FIGHT GOES ON! health retired postman, I’d have those taking the rubbish away, thought that postal workers could cleaning the ward, the porters and so Despite passing the Commons, the Trade Union Bill has been subject to several Amendments in the House of Lords possibly qualify – but, having said on. that, what about everyone else? As far as I am concerned, every and a concession on ballot time limits. Voice asked our general secretary where this leaves our campaign … I ask the question because there’s a single one of them is a ‘key worker’. massive housing shortage and I keep None of the above are the best-paid CWU IR rep Steve Clarke, CWU hearing about housing for key jobs in the world but every single one member Nasar Anwar, area distribution rep Ian Barnes workers. Over the years I saw many of them is ‘key’ in that – just like my he most important concession of my colleagues move further and excellent consultant and the that the Government has made, further out of London so they could hospital’s chief executive – if any of is in relation to its original Justice prevails afford to live. I’ve seen people get them don’t play their part the whole proposal for a four-month time We recently had a case in Sheffield into debt, forced to claim benefits and thing collapses. Tlimit for taking industrial action where one of our colleagues, Nasar have little or nothing left over once As far as I’m concerned, it’s decent after a ‘Yes’ vote, which it has now Anwar, was suspended for seven they have paid their housing bills. affordable housing for everyone, that increased to six months. months, then dismissed, as a result So what is a key worker? In is needed – because we all contribute March also saw three defeats for the of an RTC (road traffic collision) he October 2014 I had a total right hip in different ways and everyone is key Government in the House of Lords, had in the yard. This was his first replacement at UCL hospital and, to a decent society. which passed Amendments proposing to RTC in 11 years of service. because of various other health David James Scanlon, London remove the Bill’s requirement for union Some of the details of the case are problems, what should have been a members to ‘opt-in’ to their union’s truly shocking and the way he was two to four-day stay ended being • See pages 14 & 15: CWU demands political fund every five years, and apply treated was totally unacceptable. more than two weeks. I cannot fault decisive action to tackle a national the ‘opt-in’ process only to new union National agreements were the excellent care and attention I housing scandal members, to remove the cap on public- disregarded and we could not reach sector union reps’ facility time, and an agreement on the correct review e-balloting for industrial action. application of the RTC Procedure. “On each of these points it’s clear that CWU member ‘climbs’ Big Ben South East Parcelforce members show their support As a result, we called a members’ RETIRED MEMBERSHIP the Government has lost the argument meeting to get a mandate for that the Bill is anything other than a industrial action, should our political attack on the union and wider member not be reinstated at appeal. Did you know that the CWU has labour movement,” Dave explains. This was unanimous and gave us a thriving retired members' “The Amendments on these are again the collective strength required to section that campaigns on the the result of the work done by unions to Misplaced loyalty seek justice. issues that matter to lobby the House of Lords, the work of the Through the hard work of the pensioners? Labour Lords team and the wider local CWU IR team, H&S team, campaigning against the Bill.” branch secretary, area reps and Barring workplace representation, While the trade union campaign has After reading Graeme Mcleod's letter about the way Royal Mail national officers, our colleague won retired members enjoy all the benefits of ordinary shifted the Government’s position on the treated him because of his disabilities, I was enraged to read that these his appeal and was reinstated back four-month ballot mandate, it remains nasty aggressive managers still exist within our workplaces. to his role. membership including free expert legal advice if required. opposed to the Lords’ Amendments. It reminded me of my own plight after having a serious motorcycle The collective strength of our “It is therefore important,” Dave urged, accident in 1982, whilst travelling to work to Birmingham as a BT members is one we are all extremely Subs, which (from January 1, 2016) stand at £1.34 per week or “that we all continue to do whatever we telephone engineer. I too was a conscientious worker who had my proud of in Sheffield and this case £5.80 per month for those contributing to the political fund can to lobby MPs about the Bill in the enthusiasm for work knocked out of me by my first line manager. has showed Royal Mail that we will (£1.14 weekly or £4.93 monthly for those contracted-out), also forthcoming weeks and urge them to After the accident he rang me at home on the pretext of asking how I take any steps necessary to protect mean you'll continue to receive the Voice in addition to a support the Lords’ Amendments.” Flying the flag during a special T&FS organising forum in York All aboard the CWU ‘battle bus’ was and then asked me if I could get into work to conduct light duties our members when national designated magazine for retired members – The Link. some 10 miles from my home. I said it was impossible with my leg in agreements are disregarded. Unity Our spring campaigning plaster. He asked me if my wife would drive me there, something that really is strength. Welcome back For more information please call 0800 731 7434 or email Activists in all the UK’s unions have would have necessitated two round trips per day, and again I said that Naz! [email protected]@cwu.org been campaigning against this Bill ever secretary Ian Murphy praised branch the Bill will impact their lives,” Paul opposed to this and there is a particular was impossible, as my wife had to take two under-7-year-olds to Steve Clarke since it was first unveiled last summer, members in the capital for their Moffatt told Voice, and added: “Branches, worry over the inclusion of workplace school. He then asked if I could get into work by bus - two buses each CWU IR rep, Sheffield Collection and February saw the TUC’s Week of “excellent response on the day. workplaces and local trades councils took safety reps within these regulations. way to be precise! I then realised that my manager was an unfeeling Action, during which every union was “The bus was a great way of attracting an active part in the week of action, letting “The time granted to union safety nasty man. urged to display opposition to the Bill. attention as we bellowed out the message fellow workers, colleagues and the public representatives is not ‘facility time’ as After coming close to losing my right leg, which I might add I am “The CWU introduced our own that trade unions are for the millions not know about the great work unions do, and such,” Dave Joyce points out, and still suffering the consequences from, when I was able to return to hashtag, CWUandProud, which we asked the millionaires,” he said. the great work undertaken by our reps. explains: “It’s a separate legal time-off work I had to fight to get put on light duties. Fortunately the BT nurse members to use and share on social And this was the message that the “All of this is in line to be eroded by the requirement to perform legal functions. was supportive and I was issued with a BT disability pink card. My Tuesday 26 April 2016 – the CWU proudly hosts: media around the country on our own CWU projected onto Big Ben late in the Bill unless we fight it and challenge it.” “This is the first attack on safety reps in manager didn't like this , however, and I became ‘the enemy within’. Action Day during that week,” said Dave. night, with a giant image of one of our “It was a great day here in the 40 years by a government of any colour,” At every opportunity he found fault so he could give me a poor “And from Penzance to Perth, from members hard at work. Midlands,” reflected Kate Hudson, who he said, adding: “Not even Thatcher yearly appraisal which stopped any promotional prospect. I even Belfast to Birmingham and across every From the South East, Paul Carpenter said that there had been “some fantastic attacked safety reps.” asked for an interview with a level 4 manager accompanied with my AT: constituency of our union, we were all reported branch activities in Portsmouth, activities from our CWU members” local branch secretary hoping to get the issue sorted. As usual, *CWUandProud.” Gillingham, Chatham, Brighton, including leafleting with other union Where next for the campaign? however, managers closed ranks and this resulted in even worse BOURNEMOUTH In a show of opposition to the Bill, the Canterbury, Medway and elsewhere. members at train stations and marking the Dave Ward told us: “The concessions and treatment. All the line managers I had over the next 10 years gave the CWU took over the internet from the “These actions included workplace event in various ways at workplaces. amendments are a small step forward – same annual appraisals with the same vindictiveness. INTERNATIONAL early hours and never let it go. There events and CWU recruitment drives, “It’s been brilliant to make new friends but it’s still a blatantly anti-worker Bill. Finally, in 1992, redundancies were available and – feeling I could were thousands of pictures from regions, along with public leafleting in high and contacts with members of other “Unions will still be forced to navigate a no longer tolerate the pressures I was being put under – I left BT, aged CONFERENCE branches and members, and events took streets and at railway stations in unions in the region,” she said, “and our legal minefield of bureaucratic restrictions 45, with 26 years of hard work and loyal service behind me. It was the place right across the country. solidarity with members of other thanks and appreciation goes to every and red tape before they can take action in best thing I’ve ever done, but I still feel I was pushed into leaving by CENTRE “I want to thank every branch, region unions,” he explained. single trade unionist who’s participated. defence of members, while employers will these vile people and it appears from Graeme Mcleod's letter things and member for being *CWUandProud An equally busy Kevin Beazer also Unity is our strength. The power of what still be given the legal right to hire have not changed much over the years. A TOUR FOR today and every day,” said Dave, who thanked branch activists across the South we can do when we come together is what strikebreakers – even after a union has Under this Government things are getting worse and worse for reminds Voice readers to “please take a West for “enthusiastically embracing” makes the difference; this brings change.” complied with every aspect of the law. disabled and working class people. Cameron and his cronies are a JEREMY CORBYN look at *CWUandProud to see the sheer the union’s campaign. There is also a worrying health and “And employers are still under zero nasty lot who were elected into power by not just selfish capitalists enthusiasm and engagement from all. “The South West is the birth place safety aspect to the new laws, as CWU obligation to comply with Court Orders to FEATURING STELLAR Hundreds of but also by a large number of working class people. That’s why, at the “We also organised two public workers have of the Trade Union movement, and national health, safety and environment reinstate sacked workers,” Dave said. next General Election, we all need to remember that a Tory NAMES FROM MUSIC, ...but you must register for a ticket at: meetings – in Nuneaton and Croydon – joined unions the actions of solidarity by the officer Dave Joyce highlighted in a recent “If this Bill does become an Act, the government will never look after people like us. COMEDY, POETRY https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/jc4pm-hosted-by-the-cwu-tickets-24314055996 where our senior deputy general for the first Tolpuddle Martyrs are a lesson to letter to the union’s branches. situation will shift to a more difficult Tony Brunn (now fully retired) secretary Tony Kearns and I respectively time all workers that we must stick The key concerns, which have also been phase, but there are also some signs that Bromsgrove, Worcester & POLITICS spoke alongside politicians and activists together against this voiced by the All-Party Parliamentary this Government is becoming vulnerable about our opposition to the Bill.” ruthless anti-trade union Group on Occupational Safety and Health, and could even be starting to unravel.” A double-decker bus toured London’s legislation,” said Kevin. relate to clauses in the Bill that regulate Dave concluded: “In the workplaces mainline stations, the Mount Pleasant site “Members across and restrict public sector workplace union around the country, we’ll organise, recruit SEND YOUR LETTERS TO: The Editor, CWU VOICE, 150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1RX OR EMAIL: [email protected] and Parliament Square, with our Eastern Region were very reps’ facility time. and strengthen our movement. We won’t CWU reserves the right to edit letters and will withhold names and addresses if asked. Anonymous letters will not be used. Please try to keep letters under 300 words. Views expressed here are not necessarily those of the editor or the CWU “CWUandProud” message and regional interested to hear how The union movement is staunchly be defeated by this legislation.” V

10 VOICE MARCH | APRIL 2016 MARCH | APRIL 2016 VOICE 11 GENERAL NATIONAL CWU NEWS

Former Chelsea winger Paul Canoville addressing the DAN LEWIS CWU Proportionality Forum Major event at CWU Conference! 26-YEAR-OLD CALL CENTRE WORKER CWU branch delegates from every October, this free event has been corner of the UK will converge on opened up for all CWU members and ELECTED NORTH WEST REGIONAL CHAIR Bournemouth this Sunday (April the wider public to attend - so if 24) for CWU Annual Conference. you’re able to make it along to all centre worker Dan Lewis, a Against Fascism Merseyside. As normal, the five days of debate Bournemouth on the evening of Cmember of the Bootle Financial Dan also helped manage several that will ensue will determine the Tuesday April 26, why not come Services branch, has been elected chair campaign events for the 2015 General union’s key policies and strategies along for a complimentary evening of of the CWU’s North West Region just five Election and the Labour leadership race for the year ahead on a wide range thought-provoking entertainment. years after joining the union as a new last summer, registering several hundred of social, industrial and political CWU Conference delegates need recruit at Santander in Bootle. members in Bootle to be eligible to vote. issues. only bring their Conference pass for Then aged 21, Dan quickly decided Congratulating Dan on his election as the As per usual, any CWU member is entry - but other members and their he wanted to get actively involved in the CWU’s North West Region chair, North welcome to attend Conference as an friends and family need to register for union and within months he’d become a West regional secretary Carl Webb paid observer (on presentation of their tickets that are available free via rep on the call centre floor. tribute to Dan’s impressive track record membership card) - but, for the first eventbrite (see link below). Involvement in CWU Youth quickly as a tireless campaigner. time ever, the union is hosting a General secretary Dave Ward told followed - in tandem with a burgeoning “Working within the region Dan has major Conference week event the Voice: “This high profile event is a interest in politics that saw Dan supported numerous events from the combining entertainment and politics major coup for the CWU - and I’d campaigning with his local Labour Party People’s Post rally in Manchester to local that is specifically targeted at the love to see as many of our rank and during the last European Elections, meetings to engage membership,” said wider membership and the public at file members who can make it to attending local meetings and actively Carl. large. Bournemouth that evening join promoting trade union values. “Just this year Dan’s motion to the On Tuesday April 26, commencing delegates at what promises to be a In the years that have followed Dan CWU’s Youth Conference - calling for a at 7.30pm at the Bournemouth fantastic evening of thought- has become a regular face at CWU Living Wage for all ages, not just the over International Centre (BIC), the CWU provoking entertainment.” events and Annual Conference - always 25’s - was passed unanimously. is laying on a night of music, comedy Alongside CWU speakers, the Grace Petrie, Shadow Chancellor and Francesca Martinez - with others championing improvements in the way "Dan is a hard-working campaigner and politics as part of the #JC4PM union has secured a star-studded John McDonnell, punk poet and folk yet to confirm as Voice went to press. l To register for free tickets, simply visit branches interact with members using for all of the trade union and Labour (Jeremy Corbyn for Prime Minister) line-up including the punk musician Attila the Stockbroker Just like the CWU’s People’s Post www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/jc4pm-hosted-by- new technology to keep the trade union movement, displaying his passion for tour. singer/songwriters Billy Bragg and and comedians Shappi Khorsandi rally at Manchester Cathedral last the-cwu-tickets-24314055996 movement message present online. equality in everything he does. Last May Dan was elected to Sefton Always campaigning: Dan at TUC Congress “He’s achieved so much in his 26 Metropolitan Borough Council (Labour, years - mainly down to his boundless Blundellsands Ward) and at last energy, passion for social justice and the autumn’s TUC Congress he was Services branch political officer was a support of his branch Bootle Financial ‘TIME FOR CHANGE’ ON Marathon challenge to lung cancer awarded the movement’s prestigious key speaker at the TUC Big Youth Services. Youth Award. Debate, featured in The Guardian, and “One thing’s for sure - it's going to be The 26-year-old Bootle Financial he is also a regular speaker for Unite one hell of a ride with Dan at the helm!” MENTAL HEALTHCARE What makes a 51-year-old with an arthritic knee want to run the TRUE PROPORTIONALITY London Marathon? A good The CWU has warmly welcomed the Representatives from both Royal Mail question indeed – and one which IS OUR GOAL! publication of a major new report into and BT were amongst the many Greater London Combined (GLC) n the state of the UK’s mental businesses represented at a Downing branch assistant secretary Jeff Till 26 EXTRA MILES FOR CWUHA healthcare provision – but the union is Street launch of the new strategy on has been asking himself almost CWU general secretary Dave managers in the Premiership. insisting that now is the time for mental health, at which Prime Minister daily when, come rain or shine, he Ward has declared that The guest speaker told his CWU Going the extra mile for refugees and two convoys to action, not words, to address a raft of David Cameron claimed the £1 billion sets off on his crack-of-dawn “proportionality must be put at audience: “We played and thought disadvantaged youngsters runs in Moldova. a damning failings identified by the annual investment will allow an extra training session in preparation for the centre of change” in the we’d be given a chance but we’re the genes for Greater Manchester “In Moldova we’ll be delivering report’s authors. million people with mental health the daunting 26-mile challenge he’ll union. not getting it. That’s upsetting us a branch member Chris Webb, who over 50 tonnes of aid direct to Formed a year ago in March 2015, the problems to access high quality care. face on April 24. Addressing a special lot – there is the question of how we hopes to raise £3,000 for CWU vulnerable children and families independent Mental Health Taskforce Commenting on the dramatic Yet, despite freely admitting he Proportionality Forum at Congress overcome barriers.” Humanitarian Aid this week by and to a run-down hospital that brought together health and care developments, CWU national health, won’t be sorry when his self- House in February, Dave set a goal Paul outlined one potential completing the London Marathon. has run out of basic medical leaders, people using services and safety and environment officer Dave inflicted torture is over, Jeff is a for the union to become far more solution that is being put to the test What doesn’t run in the genes, supplies,” explains CWUHA chair experts in the field to conduct a detailed Joyce said: "We welcome the man with a mission – to raise reflective of the ethnicity, diversity in the US National Football League however, is marathon running itself Carl Webb. analysis of the current state of mental Taskforce's report and desperately needed cash to help and gender of the membership over (NFL) whereby a BAME (black or as Chris - son of CWU North West “While we are out in Moldova healthcare provision and to come up recommendations and the CWU will be fund the British Lung Foundation’s the next two years. minority ethic) person has to be regional secretary and CWUHA this May we will also be with recommendations as to how it can pressing the Government and quest to save and improve the lives The GS challenged people to interviewed for major coaching chair Carl Webb - is the first to sponsoring a football tournament be improved. employers to live up to their of people with lung cancer. come forward to join a new positions. admit he isn’t exactly built for the for 11 to 13-year-olds from the Despite mounting suspicions that the commitments to accept and support the The motivation for Jeff is ‘mentoring’ programme that is The former footballer was also herculean challenge that awaits him surrounding villages - supplying current system is in chaos – and well- Strategy Report's 58 recommendations. personal because, in 2014, the intended to turn this aspiration into critical of the football authorities for this coming Sunday (April 24). Challenge: Chris admits Sunday will be tough kits, boots and equipment. documented individual case outcomes “We support the 'Time to Change' CWU’s London area Openreach Dreaming the dream: Jeff Till at London’s Olympic Stadium a reality. “I’ll put myself forward as a showing a lack of support for the Describing himself as “6ft 2, an “As ever, CWUHA is aiming to that have dramatically illustrated the cost initiative and – along with Royal Mail and SPOC (single point of contact) lost mentor,” said Dave - adding it is women’s game. ex-rugby league prop-forward and really make a difference by to mental health patients and society as BT – have signed the 'pledge' which his sister-in-law Ann – a life-long now essential that the CWU On a personal level, Paul recalled built for comfort and not for speed”, complete, and what keeps me delivering aid direct to those who a whole – the eagerly awaited report, commits employers to show non-smoker – to lung cancer. That there appears to be a general for every person who dies of breast seriously addresses the issue of the horrendous racist abuse he had the Manchester City Councillor going is the determination to reach need it most - but it all takes published in February, has still proved a commitment to challenge mental health family tragedy opened Jeff’s eyes underlying and unspoken opinion that cancer yet only £400 for every lung succession planning to ensure that received from his own side’s fans (Labour, Northenden) is presently in my target of £3,000 which will help money so, if you haven’t already, shocking eye-opener. stigma and discrimination and promote to the chronic underfunding of it is regretfully somehow self-inflicted cancer victim – despite the fact a new generation of reps comes when making his debut against hard training to ensure that his first keep CWUHA’s amazing Phoenix please sponsor my lad. Painting a picture of inadequate, positive well-being within the research into the biggest killing and therefore less worthy of research that more die from lung cancer through. Crystal Palace in 1982. “I was ever marathon doesn’t prove a Centre for disabled youngsters up “He’s paid the Marathon entry underfunded and often shambolic care, organisation. cancer in the UK. because of the mistaken view that it each year than from breast cancer, The GS also reiterated his call to warming up and there were the bridge too far! and running in Moldova and also fee out of his own pocket, as well leading to "thousands of tragic and “Workers need to feel more able to While new treatments have could be eradicated overnight if only bowel cancer and leukaemia bring equality into the mainstream of heckles and racist chants from our “This will be my first marathon, as help finish the brand new library as funding his own travel and unnecessary deaths", the taskforce - set speak openly about mental health and markedly improved average people stopped smoking. combined. the union. “I want to see us debate own fans. I didn’t expect it,” said I’ve only ever run a half marathon block that CWUHA is building at hotel, so every penny donated up by NHS England – said around one in to seek support when they need it.” survival rates associated with many “If only life was ever that simple. Jeff is determined to do his bit to equality in the whole union at Paul, recounting how, on returning 18 months ago for CWUHA,” the Kilima Hewa School in goes directly to CWUHA.” four UK adults experience at least one Singling out performance other cancer types in recent Research tells us that of the help improve that statistic – setting General Conference,” said Dave, to the dressing room, his team explains Chris. “At least this time I Tanzania. diagnosable mental health problem in management systems that are “more decades, the prognosis for lung approximately 44,000 lung cancer an ambitious target to raise £2,000 stressing that, in reconfiguring the mates had simply not known what won’t have to carry my Dad like I “With CWUHA celebrating 20 FIND OUT MORE AT cancer sufferers has stubbornly patients diagnosed every year in the in sponsorship for the British Lung did when we ran the Manchester years of helping the most any given year, and that three-quarters about stick than carrot” as one of the CWU over the coming months, he to say. [ WWW.CWUHA.ORG ] of people with mental health problems key areas that need addressing, Dave remained pretty much unchanged UK, at least 10-15% have never Foundation by completing the wants to see equality at the centre A keen Chelsea supporter, Dave 10k! vulnerable children across the currently receive no help at all. concluded: “Management behaviours in 40 years. smoked.” London Marathon. of change. Ward recalled his own memories of “After a year of working away a world I wanted to do something Ministers immediately agreed that that disengage staff and create distrust “It’s known as the ‘Cinderella’ The extent to which the quest to Reinforcing the importance of any the day and his particular revulsion lot, and over-indulging on beer and challenging to help with its 2016 more needs to be done, committing need to be eliminated.” cancer/ charity and not without find new ways of combatting lung organisation reflecting the diversity at the reception Paul received at the takeaways, another challenge is projects.” To sponsor Chris, good reason,” Jeff explains. cancer is lagging is illustrated by the See full story and of its menbership, former Chelsea losing over two stone in order to Apart from the school library and please visit £1bn extra a year by 2020 and link to Jeff’s ‘just Crystal Palace game. “I was there “Campaigns about lung cancer are fact that, in terms of death per case, footballer Paul Canoville raised the complete the 26-mile run. Phoenix Centre initiatives, this year https://mydonate.bt. accepting the Taskforce’s five-year FULL STORY AT giving’ page at on that day and was disgusted by i com/fundraisers/ strategy for mental health for the NHS too obviously linked to the £7,000 is spent on research for every i www.cwu.org/voice/ issue of black players not being the chants being directed at Paul,” “For me, this is the biggest the charity is setting out to deliver [ WWW.CWU.ORG/VOICE/] chriswebbcwuha in England. causative factor of smoking – and person who dies of leukaemia, £3,500 given a fair opportunity to become concluded Dave. challenge I’ve ever set out to much-needed aid to Syrian

VOICE 12 VOICE MARCH | APRIL 2016 MARCH | APRIL 2016 13 HOUSING IN CRISIS FEATURE

MORE ON THE WEST HENDON [ INJUSTICE AT WWW.CWU.ORG/VOICE/]

housing inevitably tends to gravitate housing association properties. The Bill’s make way for a ‘regeneration’ which towards private ownership, initially detractors argue that, without sufficient includes four new high rises on York through ‘Right to Buy’ but then via investment to replace these crucial Memorial Park – a public open space subsequent sellings on. affordable homes, their sell-off at heavily created in the memory of 75 who died The paper also includes compelling discounted prices will deplete the on that spot in a wartime bombing. new polling data that suggests rent country’s chronically short supply of While the West Hendon Estate control now has majority support from social housing still further. originally provided 680 social housing across all demographics and political Equally controversially, the Bill seeks units, these are being replaced by 2,171 groups – a finding that directly to force councils and housing apartments – the vast majority of which challenges the powerful landlord lobby. associations to hike the rents of any will be sold to private buyers. Originally Dave Ward concludes: “Housing is a tenants who have a combined household there were to have been 550 social key concern to each and every one of our income of £30,000 (£40,000) in London to homes on the development but this members and their families – and that’s private sector levels. In some areas, number has now been whittled down to why it is essential that we get a debate notably in trendier city centre locations 219, with the potential to reduce further HOUSING 4 ALL going that really questions all the where private rents are exorbitant, this – nailing the lie to the council’s original fundamentals of the existing market- would result in swingeing rent increases pledge, at the start of the Millennium, CWU national youth officer driven orthodoxy that has demonstrably that many will simply not be able to pay that all existing residents would be failed. – effectively forcing in-work working rehoused on the estate. Simon Sapper, who is HOUSING: “Poor housing affects every area of class families from the communities they Those without secure tenancies have coordinating the CWU’s your life – which is why anyone who have lived in for generations. already been dispersed – many pushed suggests this isn’t a trade union issue is As if that isn’t bad enough, the Bill into the private rented sector miles from ‘Housing 4 All’ campaign totally missing the point. stipulates that councils and housing their friends and family – and even the “The piecemeal attempts we’ve seen to associations should be forced to sell low- small number being rehoused are being in recognition of the fact A NATIONAL SCANDAL date to try to put a sticking plaster on a rent homes which the Government placed in a block at the back of the that younger people rank national scandal have not just been deems have a high monetary value to estate. All the homes on the part of the ineffective but are an insult to the efforts the highest bidder – something that ‘regenerated’ estate with views over the amongst the biggest of our members to look after their would inevitably mean a transfer of reservoir are reserved for private buyers. families and keep a roof over their heads. social housing to the private sector in Remarkably, even those residents who victims of the UK’s housing Britain’s housing crisis hasn’t developed overnight - in fact it’s been the subject of ineffectual hand wringing by “The solution must be rooted in both expensive city centre locations – had previously bought their two-bed crisis, concludes: “Looking the supply of, and demand for, decent especially those areas where flats under ‘Right to Buy’ were initially successive governments for decades. At last, however, a devastating triple whammy of spiralling prices, ever-more housing, allied with bold initiatives in ‘gentrification’ has occurred or is only offered compulsory purchase at what’s happening the unaffordable rents in the private rented sector and a chronic shortage of social housing is laying bare a scandalously planning, rent control and landlord underway. Rather than use the proceeds payments of £130,000 for homes that length and breadth of the registration. Above everything, we need of these sales to fund new social housing were being demolished to make way for long-running and ever-deepening policy failure for all to see. Now the CWU is poised to take the lead in a national to move away from a view of housing as developments, the Bill stipulates the new blocks where similar sized units country, it’s now a ‘get rich quick’ commodity seeing it as cash must be used to fund ‘Right to Buy’ were being marketed from a minimum crusade for decisive action. Simon Alford reports… a utility that is a vital prerequisite for a discounts for housing association of £430,000. While those offers were impossible to come to any thriving economy and a decent society.” tenants – effectively subsidizing the eventually raised following angry other conclusion than that further depletion of the social housing protests, most of those affected were Market-driven madness stock. faced with the stark choice of having to the market has singularly ith protesters on the march True, a substantial minority of ordinary age groups in limbo. Young people trade union members who know first The CWU’s forthcoming housing Yet even before the Housing and move right out of the area to be able to failed to address the UK’s in London against the workers have made huge paper profits, desperate to move to a place of their hand what the housing crisis means to conference comes in the wake of Planning Bill becomes law, many of afford replacement homes without Government’s Housing largely through having had the good own, yet unable to move away from ordinary people. mounting anger at the Tories’ highly these processes are already underway – having to take out massive new housing needs – and that Bill, candidates in the fortune to have entered the housing mum and dad without paying rents that The event, which is currently in the controversial Housing and Planning Bill often resulting from partnerships being mortgages – or to exchange their 100% urgent action is needed to WLondon and Bristol market at a stage when prices were much would scupper any vestige of hope of process of being organised (date and and a rising public consciousness of the forged between local authorities and tenures for 50% tenures in shared mayoral elections trading pledges on lower than today. saving the deposit they need for that first venue to be confirmed shortly) aims to way in which social housing is under developers to ‘regenerate’ run down ownership apartments. address a crisis that is how many new homes they will build Yet, even for that latter group, the step on the property ladder, represent kick-start a wider national discussion on attack on multiple fronts. council estates. Greater London Combined branch and key workers unable to afford to rent, benefit they have gained from one side of the coin – but parents stuck how the crisis can best be addressed. As Last month thousands marched CWU activist Jasmin Parsons, who literally wrecking lives. let alone buy, in many towns and cities skyrocketing house prices is often with adult children who cannot afford to such, the CWU has deliberately set out to through London in a last ditch bid to An injustice documented featured in the BBC’s ‘The Estate We are across the UK – all is demonstrably not nuanced by the realisation that it is ‘fly the nest’ are the other. provide a platform where truly radical highlight the all-out attack on social Last month the BBC screened a special In’ documentary (screened on BBC1 on well in the UK’s housing sector. essentially meaningless anyway, unless Against this backdrop, it’s approaches are properly explored housing contained within legislation that documentary about one such March 15) as one of the ringleaders of “A decisive response to Add in rising concern about they substantially downsize or move to a unsurprising that housing has alongside more conventional ideas, the purports to turn ‘generation rent into ‘regeneration’ in London, focusing on the the community’s fightback, told Voice: unscrupulous private sector landlords cheaper area. More pertinently, and relentlessly risen up the political agenda intention being to ensure that no generation buy’. In reality, the Bill’s determined fightback of a working class ”A public enquiry recognised that the current madness will charging the earth for squalid and normally of far more immediate concern, to the extent that it is one of the biggest potential solutions are ignored. critics argue, it could mean thousands of community that only came to realise too residents’ rights were being violated but take courage and insanitary accommodation while new is the realisation their children are issues in both the London and Bristol “When a problem is as serious and council and housing association tenants late the extent to which its interests stated that in the interests of the public developments of ‘executive’ flats lie unlikely to ever be able to afford a home mayoral elections. entrenched as Britain’s housing crisis we being evicted because they cannot afford were being sacrificed on the altar of good (who or what we were never told) conviction – not least empty – snapped up off-plan as nothing of their own in the area they grew up in, In many UK cities, but London in can’t allow powerful vested interests to huge increases in rent. private profit. our rights could be ignored and our because for many years more than investment vehicles by or sometimes even fly the nest at all. particular, a fevered debate is underway dictate the terms of a discussion about The housing and homelessness charity, Situated bedside the beautiful Welsh homes taken away from us.” V wealthy overseas investors – and the Indeed, what’s most remarkable at all as to a fundamental mismatch between the alternatives to a market-driven Shelter, has warned the potential impact Harp Reservoir, the West Hendon Estate now the UK has been extent of the lunacy becomes clearer still. about Britain’s high octane and the salaries of ordinary workers and approach that has demonstrably failed,” of the legislation, now close to was built in the 1960s to provide social But perhaps the ultimate dangerously overheated housing bubble spiralling housing costs. With larger and explains CWU general secretary Dave completing its Parliamentary passage, is housing for families on low incomes. addicted to the idea of demonstration of the turbo-charged is just how few people are genuinely larger swathes of the capital now turning Ward. “easily the biggest erosion of affordable Tory-run Barnet Council has deemed, Get involved! Details of the CWU’s forthcoming housing eye-watering house price madness of the market-driven approach benefiting, in a holistic sense, from an into ‘ghettos’ for the rich, questions are “The aim of the forthcoming housing, especially social housing, in a however, that the estate’s long-neglected conference will be publicised shortly. to housing provision – something that ostensibly ‘booming’ sector – barring increasingly being asked as to how cities conference is to have a comprehensive, generation”. buildings are beyond repair and, in Meanwhile, find out more about the CWU’s inflation as a driver of really took hold following Thatcher’s speculators, oligarchs, money launderers will function at all when priced-out key ground-breaking and thought-provoking Of greatest concern to many is the partnership with private developers, the ‘Housing 4 All’ campaign at www.cwu.org personal wealth, 1980s assault on the post-war social and the swelling ranks of buy-to-let workers can’t even afford to commute look at the housing crisis in a way that proposed extension of ‘Right to Buy’ to estate is currently being demolished to housing model that built ‘homes fit for landlords. from the outer suburbs. really moves the debate forward.” something that is clearly heroes’, in favour of a ‘loadsamoney’ For young people seeking their first Crunch-time is coming, and solutions That’s why the CWU is about to free-for-all – is the extent to which it has ‘home of their own’, the telephone are urgently needed to a very salient publish a significant contribution to the unsustainable given the managed to dig a hole from which policy number prices and huge deposits question of our time: How on earth do housing debate in the form of a crisis point we’ve reached. makers are struggling to see how we can required for even the tiniest starter we get out of this mess? comprehensive policy paper by leading ever emerge. homes across much of the country are housing campaigner Alex Hilton. True, developers have made billions by crushing hopes of an escape from a rental CWU search for answers In his report, Hilton sets out to explore “A fundamental rethink as building high-rise executive ‘investment Dave Ward sector where tenancies are increasingly With huge numbers of trade union how Britain could be “weaned off its units’ for Russian, Chinese and Middle insecure and extortionately expensive to members impacted either directly or addiction to ever-rising house prices” – to what the options Eastern speculators while failing to build boot. indirectly by the insane state of affairs in presenting a fully-costed response to the anything like enough of the affordable With the average first time buyer now the UK’s housing arena, the CWU is housing crisis focusing on regulation, the actually are is desperately homes that ordinary families actually well into their 30s before they can even determined that ordinary workers should Government funding of a major house needed – meaning that the need. start to contemplate taking out a take centre stage in the debate that lies building programme, rent control and True, a growing army of buy-to-let mortgage – a wait made all the more ahead. planning reform. timing of the CWU’s landlords have grown rich on not just the depressing by the fact that rising house As such, the union has decided to take One of the most radical proposals in forthcoming housing spiralling rents they are able to charge prices keep pushing the already the unprecedented step of hosting a the paper outlines ideas for a ‘secondary but on mushrooming house prices which unattainable even further out of reach – major conference on the housing crisis housing market’ in which property is conference couldn’t be mean they get ever increasing returns on another unwelcome side effect of the which will bring together experts in the built, bought and subsequently traded on more opportune.” initial investments that have proved a UK’s dysfunctional housing sector is the field, leading politicians and opinion a non-profit basis – the aim being to The BBC promo for its hard-hitting documentary Making a stand: CWU activist Jasmin Parsons helped mastermind the West Hendon community fightback one way bet. Simon Sapper way it is trapping huge numbers of all formers and, crucially, young people and escape from a situation where social

14 VOICE MARCH | APRIL 2016 MARCH | APRIL 2016 VOICE 15

DEBATE STEEL CRISIS POSES WIDER QUESTION... © antb / Shutterstock

TIME FOR NATIONALISATION?

In the wake of the crisis that recently engulfed the steel industry, when Tata Steel announced it was pulling out, the idea of nationalisation was voiced. Among the loudest advocates of renationalisation, at least for the short-term, was the Labour Party…so has the time come to once again to look at nationalisation of a number of sectors, as part of a new industrial strategy for the 21st century? Paul Donovan investigates…

he recent threat posed to the holding the ring, via the public renationalisation of a number of former In this country, it was only the swift British steel industry, when ownership of infrastructure areas like publicly owned industries. action of the then Labour government Tata Steel announced it was energy, transport, steel, water, post, Foremost among the candidates has taking a number of banks into public pulling out of the UK, led to telecommunications and airways. been the railways – with Labour leader ownership that saved the day. There Tcalls for renationalisation of Private companies formed the other part Jeremy Corbyn recently declaring that a were no qualms about cost, with £1.2 the industry. of the mix. future Labour government would look to trillion of government support provided In March, the Scottish Government Just as the Attlee government had renationalise. to the financial sector. did indeed step in to buy two plants created the rubric of nationalisation and The case for renationalisation of the So the story of the banks plays an from Tata Steel, holding them - albeit a mixed economy, so in 1979, the railways is strong, with commuters important role in the whole very briefly – in public ownership Thatcher government oversaw the paying astronomical fares for an often rehabilitation of the idea of before selling them on to the private dismantling of this structure and a unreliable service. The RMT has argued nationalisation as a concept. They prove concern, Liberty House. return to a total market economy. that since privatisation, more than £11 that nationalisation can and sometimes With the future of the rest of Tata’s Thatcher began the process that has billion has been misspent. The union should take place – and that there needs UK plants, including the massive Port continued right up to the present day, claims that fares could be substantially to be a long-term strategy that goes Talbot steelworks in Wales, still with Royal Mail being one of the most reduced if rail was taken back into public beyond that of a ‘holding process’ before hanging in the balance, shadow recent victims of the dash to privatise. ownership. the industry or service in question can chancellor John McDonnell In the RM case, the Coalition There has even been a trial run of what be given back to the private sector. commented: "If we have to nationalise Government was prepared to take over a publicly owned railway could look like, in the short-term fine, but that would pensions and anything that could be when the East Coast Mainline operated An idea whose time has come be on the basis of securing the future of considered a cost to potential private under public control between 2010 and CWU general secretary Dave Ward the industry.” investors, in order to prepare the way. 2015. The service increased turnover and believes the present Government, like all John McDonnell Even Conservative MP Anne Soubry But what RM, and most recently the profits, with customer satisfaction also too many of its predecessors, is putting declared that the Government was not steel debacle, illustrate most poignantly up. Indeed, many believe that the reason ideology ahead of the interests of the ruling out temporary renationalisation is the total lack of any industrial strategy the Government was so keen to return country in the way it has dealt with the of the industry. on the part of recent governments. the line to the private sector last year was steel, postal and telecom industries. The actor, Michael Sheen, poignantly The privatisation virus has taken such because the facts on the ground were “At a time when we should be observed: “We bailed out the bankers, a hold that the Cameron Government proving just how much better a publicly investing in infrastructure like superfast Welsh steel workers deserve no less.” now seeks to finish the job begun in owned railway can operate! broadband, BT is at risk of being broken The situation with the steel industry 1979, selling off, to paraphrase former up,” Dave observes. certainly put the concept of Conservative PM Harold Macmillan, the Remember the banks! “At a time when we should have been nationalisation back in the spotlight ‘last few remaining bits of the family Gas, electricity and water are other safeguarding the public voice in Royal Anne Soubry after years in the political wilderness. silver’. areas where there have been calls for Mail it was sold off to private investors. Yet, not so very long ago, In the case of steel, the interests of the public ownership to be re-established. And at a time when we need to be renationalisation of steel would have 15,000 people who stand to lose their In all these areas, the logic of securing the Post Office network it is been a foregone conclusion. jobs seems to count for little. renationalisation is difficult to deny. The being put on a path of managed It has emerged since the crisis broke common feature of private ownership decline.” Ideological yo-yo that the Government stood in the way of has been cutbacks in staff numbers and “We need an urgent overhaul of The post-war Labour government the EU efforts to block Chinese dumping their terms and conditions, increased cost industrial and economic policies in this carried out the most comprehensive of of steel on the market, thereby to the consumer and orbiting dividend country – and this means a willingness nationalisation programmes, taking undermining European steel industries. payments to shareholders. If the money to invest, to prioritise employees over the Bank of England, the coal mines, Not even the subsequent decision of being paid out to shareholders was investors and to accept that private railways, gas and electricity, iron and the Chinese authorities to introduce instead being reinvested in the industry, ownership is failing not just to grow, but Michael Sheen steel into public ownership. their own swingeing tariffs has caused how can the system not work better? even to protect vital industries and Steel was later re-privatised by the the UK Government to deviate from its There is also a compelling argument services for the future,” Dave concludes. Conservative government, before steadfast refusal to bring in any that better pay, terms and conditions for The time for renationalisation of a Harold Wilson’s Labour government protective measures that would enhance workers would also be for the common whole swathe of sectors in society, renationalised it in 1967. British Steel the British steel industry’s chances of good of all. including Royal Mail, energy utilities, was re-privatised again in 1988 by surviving in world markets. It is not as if governments, when steel and railways, has surely come. Margaret Thatcher, eventually pushed, will never step in to a Moving forward, nationalisation can becoming Corus in 1999. Clamour for a new consensus nationalise failing industry – remember and should be at the heart of a new Steel was just one part of the mixed While recent events saw calls for the banks! The reckless behaviour of the industrial strategy that seeks to reward economy terrain that existed during the temporary nationalisation of the steel banking industry brought the whole workers and citizens alike. It’s certainly post-war years. The mixed economy industry voiced, a clamour is growing world financial system to the brink of something that Jeremy Corbyn’s team had seen government effectively ever louder for more permanent collapse in 2008. must seriously look at. V Dave Ward

16 VOICE MARCH | APRIL 2016