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Web Editor, Chris Ingram writes on the Covid-19 concerns of some CWU members who have contacted Unionsafety: There has been a lot of disquiet amongst CWU members working for BT, if those contacting Unionsafety are anything to go by. Part of the criticism is aimed at the company for not implementing the Government's new Covid-19 regulations quick enough, for manager's behaviour in ignoring the need to socially isolate at work, and for telling those employees who feel they may be unwell, to still come to work. The latter in direct opposition to what Government advice is. Hot desking with minimal cleaning standards, no hand sanitizer being available, and no controlled entry into the premises whilst observing the need for the 2 metre gap between colleagues.
Staff being discouraged to do so, and even being threatened with loss of pay by being 'furloughed', rather than following BT policy on the issue of full payment for those who are self-isolating in line with Government 'instructions' to those at risk from Covid-19 or have symptoms which they suspect may put them at risk of contracting the disease, or spreading it if they already have it. Time not being given for proper risk assessments by those needing to enter customer's premises, and the frustration that BT is not following other companies such as Sky who have suspended all visits to their customer's premises in order to ensure their employee's safety. The suggestion that perhaps now is the time to concentrate on the network and its maintenance have fallen on deaf ears too, although it is accepted by those raising this, that it can only be a decision made at national level by the company. Most recently, engineers working on laying fibre cable, have been approached by members of the public, some in a very aggressive manner; repeating social media false information that 5G is the cause of Covid-19! Worse still, Unionsafety is aware of at least one mast containing what is thought to be 5G transmitters; being reported by the media as having been set on fire and burnt down. Whislt it is accepted that these may well be anecdotal, it does paint a picture reflected in the list of issues mentioned in the latest member's bulletin and previously issued messages from the Union in the last 7 days. However, there has also been strong criticism of the CWU's actions too - or rather inaction - as they see it.
This perceived lack of information and support gives the false impression that the CWU is only concerned about the health, safety and welfare of its Postal constituency members, a point raised by Unionsafety via email to the T&FS national officer on two separate occasions, several weeks ago and more recently; with sadly no response at all. The email included a commitment to publish fully comments or a full article from the Officer concerned. Some comments from members received have been: "I think the Union is too scared to tackle BT over this", " There will be loads of people in my building who will leave the Union because of this.", "Managers still have their meetings with no use of hand sanitiser and 'social distancing' as the Government says should be done." , "If I was a postie, I'd get all the help from the Union I needed."; and finally the worst comment on the company of all, "Managers don't care about our safety, just as long as BT makes profits, that's all they care about." However, the CWU T&FS have advised that they have been addressing these issues with the company and with DGS T&FS Andy Kerr's message previously reported by Unionsafety, making it perfectly clear that CWU HQ wishes to hear about the issues concerning members. Whilst urging all members working for BT and Openreach to raise their unresolved concerns with their local Branch; Andy Kerr's message also provides a dedicated email address for members to contact CWU HQ.
This was the subject of debate at CWU's Annual T&FS Conference held in April last year, with the passing of motion 16 which re-inforced the need for the T&FS leadership to utilise the LTB system as their main form of contact with the membership and the Union's branches. That said, the latest 'Members Bulletin' can be found below which makes it perfectly clear that the CWU is tackling at national level with BT the concerns of the membership and making it perfectly clear to BT management that it will not accept anything less than 100% protection of BT and Openreach employees, whether in the field, or in office based environments; along with adherence to the Government's instructions on the way to limit the spread of theCovid-19 and the resultant deaths which tragically are occurring and currently standing at 3,605 at the time of writing. Further information can be read below this Member's Bulletin:
CWU Union Safety Reps really do need to see all communication from the T&FS officers which may impact upon their knowledge by creating gaps if they are not fully aware of what CWU HQ is raising with BT, irrespective pf what part of BT they are positioned in. In law, they are entitled to this information in order to carry out their functions. It is for the USR to determine how to use the information, and not others outside of the H&S community to decide which information they get. Adopting the same practice as that of the Union's National Health, Safety, and Environment dept is the surest way of accomplishing this. CWU Health & Safety training and education is second to none, and in order to ensure this remains so, USRs need all the information which pertains to cwu members in their area. A full list of Letters To T&FS Constituency branches can be read and LTBs downloaded here A full list of Postal LTBs can be seen here for download BT's Guidance On Social Distancing At Work can be downloaded here See also: CWU Urges BT To Protect Employees By Implementing Covid-19 Government And Public Health Advice CWU Telcoms And Financial Services Coronavirus Covid-19 – My Rights At Work
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In the field, Openreach engineers have also been critical of the company, specifically concerning the lack of guidance from their managers, and indeed the perceived threat from some managers to individuals who have expressed concern for their safety, needing to share equipment, lack of PPE needed to mitigate infections of the virus and of hand sanitiser; along with refusal to take seriously the health and safety concerns of those feeling unwell and that they need to remain at home. 
The lack of information until the last week has been frustrating, along with the perceived lack of support from the Union and its Branches in some parts of the country. 
But for some reason, the Union's main vehicle for contact with Branches and members - Letters To Branches - and the backup of being able to access LTBs from the CWU website; the T&FS side of the Union appears to prefer using direct mailings to it's members, certainly over the Covid-19 issue. Such communication seems to many to be less than perfect, with no library of such 'Members Bulletins' to fall back on being held nationally and no access to them via the CWU website. 