CWU warns of a looming bloodbath of desk-based members in Openreach.

By an Openreach worker and CWU member 

On June 23, Openreach – BT’s fixed network arm – revealed its new ‘location strategy’. According to the Communication Workers’ Union, this policy is a full-frontal assault on the division’s desk-based workers nationwide. Under the plans, the company will reduce its desk-based working sites from the current 30 locations to just nine, meaning that thousands of desk-based staff could face compulsory redundancy as a result. In addition several hundred work from other locations, in line with previous agreements with the CWU, and these individuals are also now being told by Openreach that this situation cannot continue.

In a statement, CWU assistant secretary Davie Bowman said: 

““Be in no doubt; the scale of this plan will mean that members in all locations will be under threat of compulsory redundancy..Many will recall the debacle of the ‘Working Together programme –  itself driven by dogma, not by pragmatism – that resulted in the setting up the Centres of Excellence after difficult and protracted negotiations, with those not able to travel also being catered for.

“ These new plans reduce that footprint from 30-plus to just nine locations – Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Ipswich, Leeds, Liverpool and Judd Street in London – with the majority of those displaced, we believe, unable to relocate to those locations based on any definition of ‘reasonable travel’.

“Don’t be fooled if you currently work in one of the named locations, because the function you currently carry out may not be planned to be in that location going forward.

“Similarly, members should not be lulled into a false sense of security by Openreach’s talk of a five-year ‘roadmap’ to the new location strategy. Somewhere will be the first to close, and anyone who happens to be normally based in that building will be affected much sooner.

Davie stresses: “What we’re experiencing right now is the same dogmatic attitude  which drove the Working Together fiasco, only worse, because it stems from the same fundamentalist and inflexible view as to  how desk-based work should be carried out.”

The move is rightly condemned by the union and workers, particularly because in the midst of the current coronavirus crisis the 7000 desk-based employees represented by the CWU have been carrying out vital key worker roles, supporting their field based colleagues to keep the country connected as a lifeline service for the whole of society. Yet they are now told that their labours are no longer valued, that they are dispensable.

One reason given for the change is that technological advances and the increased use of artificial intelligence means that less desk-based operatives are required. But new technology should not be used as a tool to maximise profits by throwing workers on the scrap heap. Instead, under the democratic control of the workers, it could be used to reduce hours, without loss of pay, providing more free time to and improving the quality of life of key workers, to whom society owes so much. 

Openreach is a highly profitable business for BT. BT itself made £2.85 billion in profit for the financial year 2019-20, meaning that the only possible reason for the new location strategy is greed. 

The CWU and workers must resist these attacks. Workers must push union leaders to fight and prepare a national campaign including a ballot for industrial action. In a recent pay offer ballot the union advised members to accept a paltry 1.5% pay increase, despite the obvious leverage held by staff in the current climate where they are vaunted as essential ‘key workers’. 

One CWU telecoms member told us of the pay settlement:

“The union should have pushed for much more. It’s not as if Openreach can’t afford it! If the union are willing to settle so easily when the situation is so obviously advantageous for workers, it doesn’t bode well for workers in the upcoming battle against compulsory redundancy.”

In order to mount a serious defence against the upcoming jobs cull, workers should get involved in the union by taking positions on the branch or becoming reps or shop stewards in order to increase the combativity of the union. Every single job should be defended. No one should be made redundant simply to maximise the profit of private shareholders.

Recent victories for CWU members on the postal side, which protected thousands of jobs and led to the removal of the Royal Mail chief executive, point to the fact that a united workforce and combative union can lead a successful campaign to defend jobs.

Socialist Party Scotland says

• No to all redundancies! Build a fighting movement of Openreach workers and unions to stop all job losses.
• Fight for improved pay. Use technology to improve working conditions, reduce hours and improve quality of life, not maximise private profit
• Take BT, Openreach and all other key utilities into democratic public ownership under workers’ control to provide and protect high quality, well paid jobs and meet the needs of communities
• Build fighting trade unions with a socialist leadership to properly represent workers.