CHAIRS ANNUAL REPORT PHIL HUGHES

BT

2005 saw the continued commitment of the Branch Committee and I would like to thank them and their families for that commitment.  In BT,over the years, we have had to cope with a number of organisational changes but 2005 saw the beginning of the most fundamental change in my experience. The formation of Openreach is different from past changes in that it is not an internal re-organisational change but is driven and agreed by the regulator.

It will be where the largest amount of members will be employed in BT and we must ensure adequate meaningful representational rights in that part of the company

whilst at the same time dealing with members in the other parts of BT

The changes in the company could be an opportunity.

It has always been the case that we as a Branch want to see a successful and profitable BT . It is in our interest that this is the case and it is in the company’s interest that they treat people correctly.

Equal Opportunities.

As the officer responsible I continue to deal with the issues raised by equal opportunities legislation

We as a Branch should strive and reflect the community in which we live and work. Women, people with disabilities and members from ethnic minority backgrounds together with young people are all under represented and we will try and go some way to rectify this in the coming year

The number of members suffering from stress related and mental illness continues to cause concern.

The earlier we are informed of a member with a problem the easier it is to try and deal with its effects. Let us know. It will be in confidence.

The Union has made an agreement with the Equal Opportunities Commission on how it deals with harassment cases. Every senior Officer has now been trained and the way in which the Union deals with cases is now auditable by the EOC.

Harassment is a difficult issue to deal with and we must always be conscious of the fact that it is an individual who decides if they feel threatened or harassed. If you feel that you have an issue then, please, give me a call at the Branch Office.

Your confidentiality is assured.

Representation

I represent the Branch on the Scottish BT Committee. I am the Financial Secretary of that organization as well as the Secretary of the Network CO-ORD dealing with all parts of Networks.

With the advent of Openreach this has meant a substantial change to the management structure and as we go to press we are still trying to come to grips with what that means.

We know that Switch & Transmission construction & maintenance remains in Networks with frames work going to Openreach. The effect of this on resource and workloads will have to be the subject of ongoing consultation.

We have members in every division and sub division of BT and we must ensure representation of these members either directly or through a co-ordinated body.

Already , I know, that there is a fear that either there will be too much work or not enough in some divisions. Our difficulty in this re-org unlike previous ones is that BT will not be allowed by the regulator to move work or people across the agreed boundaries.

LEGAL SERVICES

Accidents

As the officer responsible for dealing with accident cases I can report that 24 accidents were notified to the Branch by BT.

Accidents can vary in severity and there are a number of processes that kick in when a member is involved in an accident.

Members are reminded that if they are involved in an accident either on or off duty they should contact the Branch Office.

They will receive advice on what actions they should take and what services the Union can provide. It is in your interest to report them.

Solicitors Advice

The Branch continues to provide a legal advice scheme through our solicitors. Many members have used this scheme in the past year.

Under certain conditions we can also provide representation for road traffic offences and we can help with criminal injuries claims .

Please give us a call at the Office. If we can help we will.

THANKS

Thanks for the privilege of again representing the Branch at many levels of the Union structure.

Thanks to my fellow Officers and the Branch Committee and to the lead reps in the sections for all the work they carried out on behalf of the membership.

Thanks also to those members who made the effort to come to Branch meetings throughout the year.

In all the changes that we have had over the years to businesses and to the Union the one constant is the Branch meeting.

Please make an effort in the coming year to attend at least one.  I’m sure you will enjoy it!