Following further discussions and a visit to the Courts over proposed changes to the BT Pension Schemes, the CWU advice all pension scheme members to reject the proposals!

Writing in a letter to all Union branches with BT employed members, Amndy Kerr reports back with the recommendation of the CWU representatives on the BTPS Board:

BT is commencing the formal 60 day consultation on proposed changes to the company pension schemes tomorrow. The Company has just issued details of the proposed changes for both the BT Pension Scheme (BTPS) and the BT Retirement Saving Scheme (BTRSS) which may be implemented in April 2018.

The CWU has not agreed to any of the proposals

BT’s proposals will be sent to home addresses this week and members should read the details carefully. In summary BT is proposing the following:

BT Pension Scheme

• Proposal 1: Close Sections B and C of the BTPS for team members from 1st April 2018 and use the BTRSS for future service. Transitional additional contributions would be paid by BT into the BTRSS for up to 10 years.

OR

• Proposal 2: Team Members to continue membership Sections B and C of the BTPS after 31 March 2018 on a significantly amended basis. In particular, benefits would build up more slowly in the future and member contributions would increase.

In a separate consultation BT is proposing that Proposal 1 should apply to all Section B/C managers and those covered by the New Reward Framework.

BT Retirement Saving Scheme

• A 1% increase in BT’s contributions at all levels; make London Weighting pensionable; make changes to death in service benefits.

Tell BT No!

Our response is clear. None of the proposals for either pension are acceptable.

All options for both pension schemes should be rejected!
You deserve better – BT can afford more!

BT must not make changes to either pension without agreement with the CWU

More details are contained in the attached leaflet which is being sent to all members at their home address this week. Please make sure that the leaflet is circulated as widely as possible.

Secure Your Future

This is a crucial time for members’ pensions and retirement plans.

All CWU members are urged to respond to the BT consultation directly saying that you reject all the BT proposals for your pension and that you want BT to reach a negotiated agreement with the CWU.

Send your response to BT at the following email address bt.consultation@wealthatwork.co.uk and copy in the CWU at btpensions@cwu.org.

The closing date for responses is 17th January 2018.

Your local CWU Branch will have contacted you asking for details of which pension you are in. We need this information to help us represent you in the coming months. Please make sure you reply.

Shortly we will also be asking you to respond to a national CWU survey.  Please also reply to the survey.

We will also be holding members’ meetings around the UK in the coming weeks. Please contact your CWU Branch for details.

We will continue to keep members advised of developments and will consult members on the outcome of negotiations.

More information is available from local CWU Branches and at www.cwu.org/campaign/bt-pensions

You can also download the full set of documents via LTB617/17

Please note that the CWU is unable to give financial advice.

Source: CWU LTB616/17