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Pay Ballot 6th July - Since the union served formal Notice to BT on 10th June of our intention to ballot for strike action, BT has made a number of legal challenges to the Notice of ballot.   

The CWU has sought the advice of our legal representatives following receipt of the first legal challenge, and we have responded to each of the company’s letters vigorously defending the union’s position.

Towards the end of last week we sought further legal advice which was received this morning, and which makes clear that the legal position is not in the union’s favour.  As a result of this advice, we have taken the decision to withdraw the ballot rather than take the union through a lengthy and expensive process of litigation which is clearly against us. 

The ballot has been cancelled with immediate effect and the appointed independent scrutineer will therefore not be issuing a ballot result. 

Although the CWU made every effort to address the various legal requirements associated with running a statutory ballot for industrial action, unfortunately the balance of power is not with us on this occasion and once again the formidable strength of the British anti-union laws in preventing unions exercising the right to strike in defence of their members’ interests is manifested. 

Since notifying BT today of our decision to withdraw the ballot, the company have been in correspondence with us asking us to enter urgent discussions with a view to resolving the current pay dispute. 

The TFSE considered this today and it has been agreed that we will meet with BT urgently. 

I can confirm that we will be taking the necessary steps to ensure that we have the required information to comply with the legal process so that we can issue a fresh Notice of Ballot as soon as possible.  However, in the meantime as stated above we will be speaking to BT to see if a resolution to the dispute can be achieved. 

We will be issuing an email to CWU private email addresses and CWU email addresses letting members know the ballot has been withdrawn, but I would be grateful if branches could also ensure this message is brought to the attention of members. 

I would like to thank branches for your hard work with this campaign over the last few weeks and for your continued support in seeking a fair pay settlement in the BT Pay Review this year.  

Yours sincerely, 

Andy Kerr

Deputy General Secretary (T&FS)

 


 

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CWU West Yorkshire Branch, CWU Office, Grounds of Pudsey Telephone Exchange, Stanningley, Vernon Place, Leeds LS28 6EX

Tel. 0113 2556324          Fax. 0113 2559347          e-mail:  cwuwestyorks@btconnect.com