|
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members know the ballot has been withdrawn, but I would be grateful if branches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)
| 
