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'Frightened' BT workers threaten strike over workplace targets

by PAUL DONOVAN in Bournemouth

Communication workers at telecoms giant BT threatened strike action yesterday over the company’s intimidating performance management (PM) practices.

A succession of angry delegates at the Communication Workers Union (CWU) conference relayed stories of how members are effectively being managed out of the business using the PM processes.

John Fattoruso of Greater London Combined branch explained how one member was told his target was 100 per cent. He reached 93 per cent. Then the level was set at 108 per cent.

“I said, ‘What do you want from this man?’” described Mr Fattoruso. “We’re being rolled over time and time again.”

Dave Kaufman of South East Central branch declared that people are not being fairly managed.

“They are targeting older people and those with disabilities,” he asserted.

Veteran union rep Mark Taggart of Manchester Clerical branch declared that he had seen more injustice in the workplace in the past 18 months than he saw in the previous 29 years in the business.

Mr Taggart criticised the agreement that the union’s executive had achieved as “another white paper being waved in the air.”

He added: “The workforce is demoralised, frightened and uncomprehending.

“It is a concerted attack. People are leaving the business, we desperately need to do something now.”

Colin O’Callaghan called for delegates to allow the agreement reached with the company to take effect, which would enable the union to police the PM process.

However, delegates were not prepared to take a chance on the policy, voting down the approach in favour of moving toward industrial action, unless there is a perceivable improvement on PM by the end of June.

Other motions passed condemned the ongoing harassment and bullying of members by BT management.

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