SCOTTISH T&FS CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE

                                                                     Secretary: Lawrie McMenamin

Bell ATE

30 Ingram Street

Merchant City

Glasgow

G1 1EZ

Tel: 0141-552-1066/0605

Fax: 0141-226-5017

e-mail: cwuglasgow@btinternet.com

4^th April ‘06

Dear Jeannie,

BT PAY 2006

As a result of a discussion, which took place at our AGM last week, I have been asked to write to you expressing our concerns regarding the latest round of BT Pay discussions.

We are extremely concerned over the negative soundings from BT, particularly their early attempts to link pay discussions to company pension difficulties, and their refusal to make a reasonable pay offer to our members. The Committee asked me to advise you that we believe that any pay offer, which is put to the membership in a ballot, must be subject to the following.

a)       That any offer placed before the membership must be at least higher than the Retail Price Index figure for March 2006. The current offer of 2%, is far below an acceptable figure to be put to the membership.

b)       That there must be no agreement to an offer, which contains Performance Related Pay, or bonus. The offer of a 0.4% unconsolidated lump sum payment can only be seen as a form of bonus payment. 

c)       BT cannot be allowed to refuse our members a reasonable pay offer, and if necessary a ballot for strike action, should be organised among the members,

The meeting noted the difficulties being experienced by the negotiating team, during the current talks and strongly expressed the view that any pay increase must constitute a real increase in earnings, higher than the RPI, with no ‘strings’ bonus or Performance Related Pay. The offer of an unconsolidated lump sum 0.4% payment, is an attempt to introduce such payments, and erode the long term earnings of our members.

Could you please convey these views to the Executive, if you have any queries or comments please contact me at the above number.

Yours Sincerely

Lawrie McMenamin