To: Branches with Members in Openreach

Dear Colleague,

Openreach – Grading Review

Branches were advised in LTB 599/06 that Openreach management had agreed to an overall review of grading throughout the Line of Business.

The CWU Executive team met with Openreach on 9 October 2006 to discuss the methodology and timetable for this exercise.  At that meeting we emphasised that, whilst we would want the review to be thorough and meaningful, we would not wish to see an inordinately drawn out process.  Nor would we accept that, where people are covering for a higher grade, the appropriate allowance is withheld.  Branches are asked to monitor this and raise any instances of non-payment of cover allowance in the first instance with local management and also to provide my office with details.

We also raised problems in the Service organisation (primarily the Service Management Centres) where there were clear grading anomalies arising from the creation of Openreach from differing lines of business.  I have previously asked Branches to identify these and provide the information.  Only a couple of Branches have so far responded and the cases identified will be raised with Openreach.  I would ask other Branches with members in Service (BMA) to check the situation in your locality.

The team cited some specific grading anomalies, e.g. Pioneer Coaches, Network Assessors that we would wish resolved early in the process, since this will focus initially on current B grades.

I attach, for your information, a copy of a letter to me from Alan Towers setting out how Openreach wishes to proceed.  The review will be conducted following NewGRID principles.  I also attach a slide identifying the ‘job families’ within which BT grades work.  It is believed that this covers all of the relevant skill families, but Branches are asked to check with members and let Head Office know of any perceived omissions.

When it has been agreed that all skill families embracing B grades have been captured, accurate job descriptions and task notes will be produced. These will be shared with Branches for comment.  As you will appreciate this is an enormous task but, as you will see from the correspondence, the intention is to complete the exercise in reasonable timescales compatible with having full involvement of Branches and members.

It should be stressed that the Executive has not formally responded to the attached letter and may well have some issues with the detail.  However, in view of some of the anonymous and misinformed e-mails circulating, I believe that members will want an accurate picture of events and to be reassured that this issue is very much at the forefront of the Union’s activities in Openreach.  The Executive would therefore appreciate it if Branches would ensure that all members in Openreach are made aware of the factual situation in respect of this NewGRID grading review.

Yours sincerely,

Ian Cuthbert                                                

Assistant Secretary                              

Encs.