[shoot2thrill]

Ive considered applying to BT OR but they rarely seem to recruit and I dont think I could manage on the wage drop to begin with. Dont the trainee OR lads start on 14k or something daft? Or is it a different system for guys with experience?

I agree that it is a bonkers system. I dont do MI anymore i only do copper line provides which we have to carry out to the same SOP as openreach otherwise we get the money taken back off us, so its in our interest to do it properly.
However when I did the MI work it was sh*t pay and we didnt get provided any proper test equipment. So you get the scenario of lads only being able to do a basic job and any problems that occur arent dealt with as it wasnt worth the poor pay! Its a vicious cycle
I requested to be taken off the contract and thankfully I got swapped back to copper installations which is worth the money. (Most of the time)

The argument of "subbies" V direct labour will roll on forever tho I reckon.
If kellys and quinns pulled there lads out tomorrow could OR cope? Definitely not.
like wise OR couldnt or wouldnt set thousands more engineers on either.
I dont know why OR guys dont just learn to live with the fact contractors are needed.
if OR offered to set us all on im sure we would jump at the chance but that isnt going to happen.
Im quite surprised by the hostility shown by OR towards its contractors, most of you seem to agree were getting shafted yet you still slag us off and look down at us at every opportunity.
Surely the us V them philosophy helps nobody.