T-Mobile improves its relations with unions

Unions at T-Mobile, thwarted in a recognition bid last year by professional union busters, are seeing what they call a “major upturn in industrial relations” within the company. This improvement includes agreement on training staff in disciplinary and grievance procedures.

Relations at the mobile phone group hit a low point in May 2003, after staff voted against recognition of the CWU and Connect communications unions. The company, aided by US anti-union consultants The Burke Group, had given staff face-to-face interviews and a video to scare them off from voting in the unions’ favour.

Since then, the two unions have been working hard to move on, and have now reached agreement with the company to jointly provide training for “union companions” to assist members at disciplinary and grievance hearings.

CWU assistant secretary Donald MacDonald said: “Though formal recognition is the long-term aim, the CWU and Connect agree that making a success of the scheme is the immediate priority.”