Prospect members in BT: the unsung heroes

An army of unsung heroes are quietly supporting the UK through the coronavirus pandemic, as more people rely on technology to survive lockdown. Carolyn Spence, chair of Prospect’s BT committee, is very proud of their role.

“We want to call out the incredible work our members are doing to play their part in guiding the UK through this crisis,” says Carolyn Spence, who chairs the Prospect BT committee.

“I am very proud of what they are doing to keep the UK connected during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Behind the scenes these people are providing and maintaining the infrastructure to enable work to go on during these unprecedented times, via telephony, video calling, high-speed broadband and other means of communication.”

Carolyn herself has a full-time union facility time role  within BT. She is in lockdown with her husband, a key worker in the RAF, who is still going out to work.

“I was working from home even before lockdown and have my screens and equipment with me, while we are going through People Framework consultations,” says Carolyn. “Some conversations have to be private and not overheard in an office environment.”

Since lockdown all meetings have been converted to Microsoft Teams and the union has continued to engage with BT.

Dedication tested

“No new reorganisations have started since the lockdown, but we continue supporting members through those already announced – BT has refused our request for a pause. It’s been, in some cases, traumatic.

“They are facing redundancy rather than the option of being redeployed, as many parts of BT have removed vacancies due to uncertainty of how COVID-19 will affect the business  longer term.”

Members have also been in touch about individual examples of forced distribution reappearing in performance management, even though this is not BT policy. “We are keeping an ever watchful eye and rely on members talking to us,” she says.

Another concern is that  BT has disengaged from pay negotiations. Unlike their teams, managers will receive no pay rise, only performance-related bonuses.

“Every Friday I join my regional rep update call and every Tuesday I catch up with the BT committee. I never fail to be awed and re-energised by the reps in BT,” says Carolyn.

“Their dedication has been really tested but they continue to support and advise members. They demonstrate daily that together we really are stronger in the union, especially in these troubled and frightening times.”

 Surviving lockdown

Carolyn herself has survived lockdown by baking and gardening. “It’s in the evenings and at the weekends I notice it most. I am so used to being able to jump in the car to go to our favourite beauty spots, nip into a DIY  or go to a restaurant that not being able to do so now is frustrating.

“However, it’s made me and my neighbours think outside the box. We are all keen gardeners and to spend those precious hours out in the recent sunshine, we have been sharing seeds, small plants and cuttings – all while observing social distancing and wearing protective gloves. We live on a dog walkers’ route too. Small interactions make a huge difference.”

The hardest thing has been not being able to see her children or grandchildren until very recently – and even then at distance.

“However, technology has been brilliant and a mood changer and we have been having a daily catch- up on Messenger with the whole Spence family with games sessions on Saturdays.

She is also supporting her mother-in-law, who has high-risk status, and reaching out through technology to her sister-in-law, who has terminal cancer.  “I recently lost a dearly beloved friend and I am devastated that I could not attend her funeral.”

However, she adds: “We’re building all sorts of memories for the future in many ways. I feel the need to stay as positive as I can, and when this is over I will finally give myself time to reflect and remember.”

Our own heroes

Through her own experiences she has a deep understanding of what members and reps are going through.

“I am fully aware that they have their own priorities and worries during this crisis. Yet our reps are continuing to express concern for members’ welfare and doing the best they can to support them.

“Many of the heroes saving lives and caring for people are supported by an unsung army of call centre workers, managers, technology experts, engineers and countless other BT employees who are heroes in their own right.”