CWU Preston Brook, Bury & Retail

10/07/2025

The CWU HA

WHO ARE WE?

Communication Workers Union Humanitarian Aid is a response to the plight of vulnerable children in other countries and the UK & Ireland from trade unionists, families and friends, who work in Britain’s and Ireland’s postal, telecom & financial industries.

HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN?

CWUHA was set up in 1995 in response to an appeal from trade unionists living in War torn Bosnia, in particular the town of Tuzla. The first convoy arrived in Tuzla in July 1995. The determination to deliver the aid direct to those who needed it most, cutting out the risk of it falling into the hands of self-interest middlemen, set the agenda for every CWUHA convoy that was to follow.

WHAT MAKES US SO SPECIAL?

Of course, there are other charities, which collect medical equipment, food, clothing, toys, and other forms of aid for needy children. What makes CWUHA unique, however, is our cardinal principle – our volunteers actually deliver the aid to the places where it is needed most. This way, Donors can therefore be confident that their generosity will be translated in to aid at the point of need! We are also unique in that we pay no wages or honoraria.

Have a look at the Website:http://www.cwuha.org/
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwuhumanitarianaid.cwuha
Join us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cwuha

Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/CWUHA/videos/1769060066686222/

We have a just giving page for our latest project:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/andykerrprojectcwuha?utm_medium=CA&utm_source=WA&fbclid=IwY2xjawJJVyRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHV6jXHtRllCjlI-qU-YkNHpbMmEtj0Do2vCim63a9-5lWyfsjyTYw2NW7Q_aem_wQAIrIE_DLAwLnpYLhf_ag

Working with our partners Mad-Aid we are helping to refurbish a children’s surgery ward in the Institute of Mother and Child in Chisinau, Moldova, that cares for children with serious health issues.

09/07/2025

24/04/2025

https://www.youtube.com/live/SZnuIHPBxRc?si=nBwlDnFQqM60TEog
Join us at 17:00pm
We will be taking questions on Capita

Livestreams every Thursday at 5pm.Join the CWU: https://join.cwu.org/

16/04/2025

Payment Management Headcount Reduction

The CWU has been contacted by Capita with regard to a required headcount reduction in Payment Management.

The company has detailed a decline in the demand for their Payment Management services from VMO2 with revised forecasts indicating that this reduced demand will persist in the long term, ultimately impacting staffing level requirements. They have stated that there is a need to reduce the current headcount by 127 positions and advised that they propose to manage exits via settlement agreements to a specific group of employees who have been selected based on their performance ratings for 2023 and 2024. They have confirmed that they will be approaching the 127 employees who have the lowest end of year ratings on a without prejudice basis.

We believe Capita’s proposal to approach employees based upon performance ratings for 2023 and 2024 is flawed given the significant level of issues and escalations there have been regarding performance, system issues, legacy issues, 360 technical issues which questions the legitimacy of the ratings. We also believe this approach is unfair with regard to potential health and equality issues which can impact performance. We do not accept that this focus on low performing members is in any way acceptable.
We are particularly concerned that undue pressure may be placed upon members during these protected conversations, following concern raised by one member where the conversation focussed on the likelihood of dismissal if the member did not sign up to voluntarily leave. The CWU has written to Capita to seek clarity over their approach and have requested that they refrain from such conversations immediately. Capita have confirmed that managers should be following a script and that there are no threats within it. We have been supplied with a copy of the script which should be followed.
We advise that members seek guidance from their CWU Representatives if they are approached with an offer to leave and most importantly if they feel pressurised to do so.

Capita has confirmed that exits will be managed through settlement agreements. We are aware that Capita has shared a solicitor of their choice with you. The CWU advise that any member who elects to leave employment contacts the local CWU branch who will put you in contact with a legal advisor to assist you through the requirements of this process.
The CWU has responded to Capita rejecting their proposal as we consider it both inappropriate and unfair. Furthermore, Capita is not communicating that a redundancy situation exists which they should legally share at this point. Their approach does not allow for redundancy consultation governed by the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (TULRCA) which we maintain should be happening. Their actions do nothing but to seek to bypass the required consultation process which is essential and are failing to consult.

Whilst Capita is delaying any discussions with the individuals covered by the collective bargaining agreement until Thursday, 17th April they have pressed ahead contacting employees in the unrecognised area where we do not have collective bargaining. We do not believe this is fair and given this would be the same redundancy pool the same approach should be applied.
We have submitted a counter proposal for voluntary redundancy to be extended to all 408 employees who would be in scope, moving to redundancy consultation if volunteers are not gained.

The CWU also believes that all employees should have been briefed at the same time and alerted to the fact that a redundancy situation exists and that the lack of consistency and disclosure is wrong.
We will keep you updated on this matter but would ask that you keep in contact with your local branch representatives.

Yours sincerely

Tracey Fussey
National Officer
CWU Telecoms & Financial Services