Virgin Media Closing Albert Dock

[Digital Fanatic]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Seriously?

You appear to be reporting, on an open forum that is frequented by ex-(and soon to be ex)employees of Virgin Media, that VM senior management discussing breaching Employment Law?

What is to stop the ex-VM employees reporting this discussion to their Union Reps?

If it's true, then it's a very serious breach.

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

If it's true, then it's a very serious breach.

As we will never know who he spoke to then it is just hearsay and the is little the CWU could do with that information unless the meeting is public knowledge and a record of minutes was kept.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Sirius

You can be so offensive in the way you post it goes beyond belief and i repeat "Its very creepy"

To save yourself from this alleged trauma, you should seriously consider putting me on ignore as these outbursts, both towards myself and others, are not doing you any favours.

Originally Posted by Hugh

Seriously?

You appear to be reporting, on an open forum that is frequented by ex-(and soon to be ex)employees of Virgin Media, that VM senior management discussing breaching Employment Law?

What is to stop the ex-VM employees reporting this discussion to their Union Reps?

I can confirm that no discussion about breaching employment law took place- I should have expressed myself in a better fashion, for which I apologise.

I am limited in what I can say, but employment law will eventually be changing to help stimulate the economy and increase job opportunities.

There was talk of abolishing a whole raft of employment legislation altogether, which I disagreed with, but do expect the one year unfair dismissal rule to be sensibly increased back to two years.

(Most employers have cases where a rogue employee manages to keep their head down for a year before becoming problematic.)

Originally Posted by Peter_

As we will never know who he spoke to then it is just hearsay and the is little the CWU could do with that information unless the meeting is public knowledge and a record of minutes was kept.

Indeed, but, in any case, Hugh got hold of the wrong end of the stick.

I am, however, led to believe that further reorganisation within VM will be taking place. The discussion centred around ways to legally keep members of staff, during any downsizing, who are considered an asset to the company ie those who are happy to go the extra mile and care deeply about corporate image, as opposed to those who are just "coasting" or who are actually rude and hostile, particularly towards customers and/or colleagues.

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

If it's true, then it's a very serious breach.

It's not true!!! You don't have long to go before you finish and I would like to wish you all the best for the future.

Erm, no stick was wrongly grasped in any way, shape, or form - you in fact stated in reply to my comment

I should have expressed myself in a better fashion, for which I apologise

[RichardCoulter]

I do not believe that my post stated what you were suggesting in any way.

I am confident that any action taken by reputable employers will not be preventable by the prevailing employment legislation as they will be wholly lawful measures.

I do accept that I could have put it in a more simplistic way in order to avoid confusing some people.

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

I am, however, led to believe that further reorganisation within VM will be taking place. The discussion centred around ways to legally keep members of staff, during any downsizing, who are considered an asset to the company ie those who are happy to go the extra mile and care deeply about corporate image, as opposed to those who are just "coasting" or who are actually rude and hostile, particularly towards customers and/or colleagues.

Nothing to do with you but moving the jobs in the Albert Dock to Swansea is not a good way to hold on to any existing staff as the majority have family and in many cases mortgages in the Merseyside area.

They knew that the majority would find it impossible to even contemplate such a move due to personal circumstances, I do wish anyone well that has decided to make the move but I feel the question of trust cannot truly exist under the circumstances.

Anyone that takes up a position should also be aware that they will be expected to stay with the company for a minimum of 2 years or they will be required to pay back any monies given to help with their relocation, possibly pro rata the longer they stay there.

As I have said on many occasions the is no need for anyone to move due to the high availability of jobs locally.

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

I do not believe that my post stated what you were suggesting in any way.

I am confident that any action taken by reputable employers will not be preventable by the prevailing employment legislation as they will be wholly lawful measures.

I do accept that I could have put it in a more simplistic way in order to avoid confusing some people.

You would be, once more, mistaken.

Your back-pedalling and waffling are v. amusing - thank you for this.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Peter_

Nothing to do with you but moving the jobs in the Albert Dock to Swansea is not a good way to hold on to any existing staff as the majority have family and in many cases mortgages in the Merseyside area.

They knew that the majority would find it impossible to even contemplate such a move due to personal circumstances, I do wish anyone well that has decided to make the move but I feel the question of trust cannot truly exist under the circumstances.

Anyone that takes up a position should also be aware that they will be expected to stay with the company for a minimum of 2 years or they will be required to pay back any monies given to help with their relocation, possibly pro rata the longer they stay there.

As I have said on many occasions the is no need for anyone to move due to the high availability of jobs locally.

Albert Dock/Swansea were not the focus of the discussions. That situation is considered resolved and VM now appear to be looking to future measures in order to remain competitive.

I think that's sensible, but do hope that staff who have proved their commitment to VM are treated better in the future.

I have no knowledge of any pro rata relocation expenses being repayable beyond two years.

Originally Posted by Hugh

You would be, once more, mistaken.

Your back-pedalling and waffling are v. amusing - thank you for this.

Nonsense.

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Albert Dock/Swansea were not the focus of the discussions. That situation is considered resolved and VM now appear to be looking to future measures in order to remain competitive.

I think that's sensible, but do hope that staff who have proved their commitment to VM are treated better in the future.

You cannot hope to keep your core staff if you relocate 200 miles away.

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

I have no knowledge of any pro rata relocation expenses being repayable beyond two years.

We do thanks to the CWU and it is a standard agreement.

[RichardCoulter]

So, are you saying that if staff relocate and stay beyond the minimum two years, that, should they then decide to leave at a future date beyond this, that repayments would be due?

That is not how I read it.

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

So, are you saying that if staff relocate and stay beyond the minimum two years, that, should they then decide to leave at a future date beyond this, that repayments would be due?

No that is incorrect how did you come to that conclusion.

If you re read what I posted it says that they have to stay in the new position for a minimum of 2 years or they will be required to repay any relocation fees incurred that were paid by the employer.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

So, are you saying that if staff relocate and stay beyond the minimum two years, that, should they then decide to leave at a future date beyond this, that repayments would be due?

This is a very long thread - so please forgive me if the questions I put below have been answered.

Exactly what is your standing with Virgin Media in relation to this matter? Are you a party to negotiations? An advisor to VM or an employee or a union? Or what?

The answers would more fully place your points into perspective.

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

This is a very long thread - so please forgive me if the questions I put below have been answered.

Exactly what is your standing with Virgin Media in relation to this matter? Are you a party to negotiations? An advisor to VM or an employee or a union? Or what?

The answers would more fully place your points into perspective.

As far as I am aware he is a customer the same as you and I.

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Peter_

As far as I am aware he is a customer the same as you and I.

With connections in high places