Your Reference         

Our Reference            IC/LEL  AS.6

Date                            23 August 2006

TO:     Branches with Members in Openreach

            CWU Openreach Regional Contacts

Dear Colleague,

Skills Enhancement and Grading in Openreach

As you will be aware, there has been considerable debate for some years regarding the B2 grading for external engineers.  At this year’s Conference, the following Motion was carried:-

This Conference instructs the incoming Telecoms and Financial Services Executive to undertake an assessment of the work carried out by Openreach Engineers.

Whilst this was graded mainly at B2 under NewGRID there have been many changes over the past four years with increasing responsibilities and skills which leaves this Branch believing that a review is now required.

I attach, for your information, a copy of a letter sent to management requesting that a review now be carried out in line with the changed responsibilities and skill level of that community.  Further reports will be issued as events unfold.

Yours sincerely,

IAN CUTHBERT

Assistant Secretary