{"id":26428,"date":"2021-03-24T07:37:35","date_gmt":"2021-03-24T07:37:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ispreview.co.uk\/?p=26428"},"modified":"2021-03-24T17:07:14","modified_gmt":"2021-03-24T17:07:14","slug":"strike-threatened-bt-in-gbp1500-covid-bonus-to-59000-staff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ispreview.co.uk\/index.php\/2021\/03\/strike-threatened-bt-in-gbp1500-covid-bonus-to-59000-staff.html","title":{"rendered":"Strike Threatened BT Gift GBP1500 COVID Bonus to 59000 Staff UPDATE"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the threat of a national strike looms large (here<\/a>), BT<\/a> has today proposed to offer around 59,000 frontline UK workers a “special bonus<\/em>” of \u00a31,500 to recognise their efforts in helping to keep customers and the country connected to broadband, phone and mobile services during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

Under this plan BT<\/a> would pay \u00a31,000 immediately in cash and \u00a3500 in shares after 3-years (the \u00a3500 share payment is a discretionary award made under their previously announced yourshare scheme), which they say is equivalent to about 5% of the average salary for a front-line worker on their team.<\/p>\n

The operator says that this “generous offer<\/em>” is being made despite BT<\/a> freezing pay across the company and ongoing, unresolved discussions with the trade unions over its transformation and modernisation plans. Indeed, earlier this month the Communications Workers Union<\/a> (CWU) announced that they had “taken the decision to move to an official national industrial action ballot<\/em>“.<\/p>\n

The CWU’s Gripes with BT Include:<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u27a4 Mass closure of many sites.
\n\u27a4 A potential threat to voluntarism in leaving the business.
\n\u27a4 A piecemeal approach to closure which lessens the chance of re-deployment.
\n\u27a4 Undermining and ignoring your agreements that protect your pension and voluntary redundancy terms.
\n\u27a4 Drastically reducing the pay, terms & conditions for multiple roles and grades.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The CWU represent around 45,000 of BT’s staff.<\/p>\n

Philip Jansen, BT Group CEO, said:<\/strong><\/p>\n

“BT has made a massive contribution to the national cause over the past year: we\u2019ve supported the NHS, families and businesses, and avoided the use of redundancy or furlough in our response to the pandemic. Our frontline colleagues and key workers have been true heroes, keeping everyone connected in this most difficult time.<\/p>\n

BT has delivered for our customers through the dedication of all our people, but inevitably the pandemic hit our financial performance, like that of most companies. In this context, we have to prioritise and I am determined that we will do everything in our power to reward our frontline colleagues.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The move will be welcomed by some, although we suspect that the CWU may take a more cynical view of its timing. Meanwhile, BT gains an opportunity to highlight some of the challenges that is has faced and the importance of their services to many consumers, while at the same time scoring some points for rewarding their workforce, even if only temporarily. Whether or not this is enough to influence the upcoming strike ballot is another matter.<\/p>\n

No change to BT’s full year financial outlook is expected as a result of this team member bonus payment.<\/p>\n

UPDATE 5:05pm<\/strong><\/p>\n

The CWU have said their “members will not fall for what simply amounts to a bribe to not vote for strike action<\/em>.”<\/p>\n

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Our members will not fall for what simply amounts to a bribe to not vote for strike action. <\/p>\n

Statement from @CWU_AndyKerr #CountMeIn<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/sq8zE5mPQ9<\/a><\/p>\n

— CWU (@CWUnews) March 24, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n