New terms agreed at ntl:
Members working for transmission company ntl: have voted narrowly to accept revisions in contracts.
In a postal ballot which closed on May 17, 58% of members participating voted in favour of a new terms and conditions package which was drafted during union/management talks at ACAS on April 28.
BECTU official David Beevers said: "The result was a much closer call than in previous ballots, and suggests that we have many issues which will need addressing urgently going forward."
The close vote came despite BECTU's recommendation to more than 500 ntl: members that the ACAS package should be accepted as the best deal that could be achieved. Management tabled the revised package after a campaign of industrial action which the union had threatened to escalate into a two-day stoppage if no improvements were made.
Officials believe that the strength of the "no" vote reflected fears among many ntl: members that they would lose out on earnings if the changes, including reductions in overtime pay, allowances, and shift payments, were implemented.
However, the union has emphasised that the package which emerged from ACAS included an appeals procedure under which any member who suffers a "substantial loss in earnings" under the new terms and conditions will be able to invoke a special appeals procedure.
The union also clawed back holiday and rest day entitlements that ntl: had planned to change - bank holidays will now be added to annual leave entitlement instead of being rotaed by management, and the concept of "provisional" rest days was dropped.
Other controversial plans for change, first tabled early in 2003, were also beaten back by the union, including a reduction in basic pay and hours, a reduced overtime rate of 1T, and a three-month scheduling window for calculation of overtime.
BECTU plans to monitor actual earnings closely over the next year, and will hold ntl: to a prediction that few staff would lose as a result of the changes.
David Beevers said: "I'm disappointed that 35 per cent of members didn't vote. Although this chapter in the terms and conditions debacle has come to a close, we will continue to support those members who have lost out under the new terms and conditions."
In the ballot, 536 papers were distributed, of which 349 were returned, with 201 voting in favour of the new terms and conditions.
Letter sent to members with ntl: ballot papers
To BECTU Members
ntl: Sector Group
4th May 2004
Dear Colleagues
BALLOT ON REVISED TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOLLOWING ACAS
Please find enclosed with this letter, a copy of the proposals following conciliation meetings held under the auspices of ACAS, a ballot form and a 1st class pre paid reply envelope. Please note that the ballot closes at noon on Wednesday 12th May 2004. The reason for the short turn around is due to the fact that industrial action is only suspended and the 8- weeks of protection "clock" is still "ticking".
The agreement reached at ACAS follows more than 15 months of negotiation between BECTU and ntl: including three three day sessions at ACAS in Leeds just before and after last Christmas. Members must look at where we started from when the terms and conditions proposal was first presented to the team at the beginning of 2003. The proposal "stunned" the BECTU negotiating team including for example: a reduction in base salary for Associates reducing hours to 37.5; all overtime at single time; a roll up of hours over a three month period with overtime paid only if all basic hours were worked.
Our negotiations at ACAS in London, led by BECTU Assistant General Secretary Gerry Morrissey have not resulted in us pulling everything back but we have achieved a situation which is "as good as it gets" via negotiation. The proposal from ACAS comes with a recommendation to Members to accept the proposal, from the BECTU negotiating team. If Members wish to reject the proposal, then industrial action will be escalated to a series of 48 hour stoppages, commencing soon after the ballot closes.
I would particularly like to draw your attention to the appeals process. This is a significant achievement on our part in that in April 2005, Members supported by BECTU, get a 1 off chance to raise pay related issues as detailed in the process. As you can see, if appropriate, BECTU Members only may have their cases put to binding arbitration at ACAS. This process could be of particular interests to Members in Public Safety, (The Met, and some areas of D Tels) where the company maintains Associates will benefit under the new terms and conditions but we disagree.
The ballot closes at noon on Wednesday 12th May 2004. Ballot papers must be returned in the prepaid envelope provided to reach BECTU Head office no later than noon on 12th May 2004.
Yours sincerely
D. J. Beevers
National Official