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BT planning to cut as many as 6,500 jobs
Telecommunications industry unions have issued multiple statements on Friday in response to speculation that BT was planning to cut more than 6,000 jobs.
CWU, which mostly represents workers in non-managerial roles, claimed that any potential job losses would have little impact on its members, suggesting that it was BT managers that were in the firing line.
Elsewhere, Prospect, the union that represents BT's managers, confirmed that it had been made aware that BT could be looking to cut jobs, but noted that it was aiming to minimise impact.
Prospect national secretary, Philippa Childs said, "Our priorities are to ensure that our members' jobs and livelihoods are protected and with that in mind Prospect's Industrial Relations Committees will expect to be consulted and heavily involved in any staff changes that are being proposed."
"Prospect will be waiting to hear further details from BT next week," Childs added.
CWU welcomed the telecommunication giant's plans to invest and grow in frontline areas, where its members are predominately employed.
CWU's deputy general secretary of telecoms and financial services, Andy Kerr said, "BT has made it clear to us that they plan major investment in both these areas and have already committed to recruit over 3,000 field engineers in the coming year."
BT, which is scheduled to report its full-year results next week, did not immediately respond to requests for comments.