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Openreach and Safety teams have been informed that poles with a year of preservation of 1999 or earlier that have not been tested since January 2000 must not be climbed.

At very short notice BT Operate has ended the 12 hour attendance pattern for people in Service Delivery, without the normal three-month notice period.

It has become clear over the past number of weeks that the situation within Openreach regarding resourcing has become extremely difficult between the CWU and the company. The union has met the company on a number of occasions in order to progress the issues, with little success and continued difficulty from Openreach regarding a coherent resourcing plan.

Due to major changes within Openreach and how the Network Investment Transformation is affecting some members, the branch officers held a conference call on 21 December 2011, to discuss the issues that surround NI Transformation and NGA Rollout.

BT has advised the CWU of its intention to install GPS equipment in various vehicles used within Supply Chains over the next few weeks.

The level of coaching support for our members has been the subject of debate between the CWU and Openreach for a number of years. In essence, the structure put in place did not deliver the volume of coaching it was originally designed for.

Discussions have been taking place with BT Supply Chains for almost a year over regrading issues.

Documentation used by BT concerning "StaffShare Limited" been brought to the attention of CWU Head Office as there is a clear reference that the CWU supports the organisation. Head Office have confirmed there has been no contact with this organisation concerning its services.

Following an investigation by Openreach and BT Fleet into a failure of a PE5A boom, some Platform Elevating 5A and a very small number PE 6 vehicles have been recalled urgently to their nearest workshop for an inspection by BT Fleet.

The National Team met with Supply Chains last week where the CWU were advised that they intended to trial, with Openreach, reduced opening hours at a number of stores hubs. Supply Chains explained they are still under pressure to cut costs and that some of the stores hubs are less busy than others.