Whilst Prospect members had voted to accept the 2010 offer, clearly if there was to be a new offer as a result of the CWU rejection, Prospect would want to see any improvement to the offer made also to our members.
In practice BT has been unwilling to improve its offer in relation to 2010, but HAS now made an offer of a 3% pay bill increase for 2011 and 2012, thus turning the original proposed one year deal into a proposal for a three year deal.
This offer brings the proposal for 2011 and 2012 into line with the agreement already reached by the CWU for their members in BT for those years, and is also consistent with the 1 June 2011 and 1 June 2012 pay budget increases also on offer for BT Reward Framework people (that is, for Prospect's wider BT M and P membership).
Although we recognise that members have already voted overwhelmingly in favour of the 2010 offer, in line with union policy we now invite you to vote for or against the revised offer. Our very firm recommendation is that members vote for the offer. At 3% a year for 2011 and 2012, this places the offer above the generality of settlements in the UK economy, particularly in the services sector. Moreover, the economy is shaky at the moment to put it mildly. In the union's view, we believe it makes sense to secure BT's commitment to a longer term deal at this time.
Should members vote for this revised offer, we believe BT will immediately implement it, even though we understand that the CWU has rejected it. The 2010 element of the proposed agreement will of course be back-dated, and there will be discussions in both 2011 and 2012 ahead of the distribution of the 3% budget about the way it is to be distributed.
The online e-ballot will run from today Thursday 7th April until midday Thursday 14th April. You will receive a separate email with your logon details and link to the ballot. To ensure you receive a ballot please take a moment to make sure that we have an up to date email address by visiting the Connect Sector website (Please note that if you do not receive an e-ballot by close of play on Wednesday 13th April then please email [email protected])