Society of Telecom Executives

Building and Property News
April 1997

News for all STE members in BFM, BCM, FFF & GP

This information is from Action Letter 14/97

STE protects members as period of change nears Your Union has held meetings with senior management in BFM, BCM and GP in the last few weeks to discuss the shape of their organisation for 1997/8 and issues arising from this. A meeting with FFF management is due shortly. In the medium term it is clear- as elsewhere in the Company- that the rise of both Concert and Trading Units will have an impact on members working in the Property area. However it is also clear from our discussions with senior managers that it is, as yet, far too early to say what this impact will be. The STE will continue to monitor developments closely. In the short term the picture is one of stability in management numbers with attention being focused on staffing ratios and workloads. Some key points are:

BFM Vacancies in the FFM structure are to be substantively filled with the aim of bringing down the staffing ratio to around 1:10 or 1:11. The STE raised concerns about the impact of FFM workloads on managers and Terry Chapman, while emphasising his concern about long hours being worked, has agreed to check this. A new BFM Territorial structure will be in place shortly, with only a handful of people likely to be displaced. These cases have been discussed with the Union. Finally Terry Chapman is now Group HQ champion for equal opportunities. He has been given the support of the STE in encouraging more female and ethnic minority managers.

BCM A reorganisation is underway in BCM which will move to a geographical structure outside of London. STE expressed concern about management workloads and a new Work Management database is due shortly which should reduce the amount of paperwork which needs to be passed around. The much delayed implementation of AutoCAD is now due for Autumn 1997.

Group Property There has been concern about GP's plans to move most managers from its central London base at Stratford Place- primarily to Croydon with some later moves to Apsley. The STE will continue to monitor journey times to the new locations and raise any concerns about the impact on work that may arise.

APRs and pay There are comparatively few people marked below Category 3 in the Property area. If you have an issue it is vital that you raise it with the STE. Aside from the general problems with pay and performance in recent years there is evidence that Property units have received less money overall than some other areas with which to fund pay rises and bonuses. This could mean that some people lose out twice over, both over the general pay allocation and over their specific share of it. If you have concerns about any aspect of your job in the Property area the STE will be pleased to discuss these with you and provide confidential advice.

What next? If you want respect in BT, experience shows that you have to earn it through collective organisation and representation. To join the STE, or discuss problems or issues contact: Keith Flett on 0171-829 3097; Fax 0171-583 5462 or Anna Hoppe on 0171-829 5857.

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