Derry BT redundancy payments capped at one year

The BT workers affected by the company’s shock announcement it was closing its Derry operation will receive a redundancy payment comprising one month’s pay for every 12 months they have worked for the company.

However, this will be capped at 12 months - a maximum of one year’s payout - meaning the many employees who have worked for BT for longer than 12 years will receive no additional payment.

140 people have been made redundant on Wednesday as a result of the BT action, while a limited number have been offered relocation to Belfast.

Communications Workers’ Union (CWU) national officer Tracey Fussey said BT’s decision to close operations in Derry and offshore the work to India had “left workers and the local community stunned”.

In a statement to The Derry News, Ms Fussey added: “After the loss of hundreds of [BT] jobs at Enniskillen and Belfast in the past year, this comes as yet another blow to communities already suffering from a lack of investment and opportunity.

“CWU members are hugely disappointed with the decision, and will be doing all they can to protect jobs and identify suitable alternatives.”

Derry City and Strabane District councillor Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit) said the BT announcement had come as a “massive shock”.

Speaking at April’s full Council meeting on Wednesday afternoon, he added: “My first thoughts are with the workers and their families because this could be devastating news for them.

“I am sure they are sitting worried about their futures and I think that we as a Council should accept the opportunity to meet immediately with BT management to convey our shock at this decision; I think it is a disgraceful decision. It will suck decent paying jobs out of the city.

“We stood on picket lines recently with the BT workers who were fighting for better wages and to defend their terms and conditions and all of a sudden now we have a decision by a corporate management board, who do not reside in Derry, to basically shut down a workplace with 140 workers.

“I think we should do everything we can to defend, to protect the workers. Why has BT made this decision? Has it looked at the impact it will have on the workers there, the impact it will have on the city? We have a lot of questions for BT management about its decision to target Derry and to strip jobs out of Derry,” said Cllr Harkin, who added the decision was driven by 'maximising profits'.

“There is no care for the workers, for the communities the workers live in and no care for this city.”

Alderman Julie Middleton (DUP) said the BT decision was “devastating for the workers and their families, not least for the amount of years of service that we have given BT from our city”.

'BT job losses devastating for Derry' - Colum Eastwood

The BT jobs currently located in its Derry office will be relocated to India and Belfast

Cllr Rory Farrell (SDLP) said Wednesday was a “really, really tragic day”.

“This is a devastating blow to the local economy and the people and the families who are currently employed in BT.

“What makes it worse and what makes it harder for this city to deal with this massive, massive jobs blow is the lack of good quality, well-paid jobs across this city and district,” said Cllr Farrell.

Councillors subsequently voted in favour of a motion expressing concern at the BT decision to close its Derry office with the loss of 140 jobs.

The motion also sought “an urgent meeting with BT’s Corporate Management to discuss the decision and the impact it will have on the local economy”.

Foyle MLA Pádraig Delargy (Sinn Féin) said he had spoken to BT following the announcement and had been told workers taking up the offer of relocation to Belfast “could be offered ‘remote working.’”

“This means three days in Belfast and two at home,” added Mr Delargy.

“Clearly BT’s definition of remote working and everybody else’s is different. How does this support those with childcare or caring responsibilities? How does it give any support to those concerned workers receiving this devastating news today? It would appear [BT has] zero commitment to Derry.”

Mr Delargy and Derry City and Strabane District councillor Sandra Duffy (Sinn Féin) had a further meeting with BT on Thursday.

“Our priority is to emphasise that staff must come first and be properly supported,” he said.

“We were extremely disappointed that BT are not allowing staff to move to online working, particularly as the fraud and customer service roles are already virtual roles and therefore insisting that staff need to be desk-based makes no sense.

“We will continue to speak up for workers and support them during this difficult time,” said Mr Delargy.
His party colleague, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald described BT’s announcement as “deeply disappointing”.

“As a significant employer in Derry for many years, this announcement will be of real concern to BT workers and the wider local community.

“I met with the company this afternoon and made clear that these plans are entirely contrary to my drive for regional balance.

“I offered the support of my Department and Invest NI to retain jobs in Derry but unfortunately the company is proceeding with its consultation. Invest NI will however be working with staff affected to offer retraining and to help them with other job opportunities,” said Dr Archibald.