Virgin Media plans savage job cuts

BECTU has been notified today (11 November 2008) of Virgin Media’s plans to cut up to 2200 jobs during the next two to three years.

BECTU has formal representation rights for field technicians and engineers and also has members who work in the company’s contact centres and in support departments.

The company has stated that its proposals will affect all areas of the business, however, it is unclear at this stage how great the effect will be on the areas where BECTU has members.

BECTU Supervisory Official, David Beevers, commented: “We have no detail yet as to the extent to which our members will be hit. The company has consulted us today about its announcement but the sheer number of proposed redundancies came as a shock.”

The company has confirmed that it will attempt to achieve the restructuring by not filling vacant posts and by introducing a voluntary severance scheme. Virgin Media has not ruled out the possibility of compulsory redundancies.

“The company has said that no-one will lose their jobs this side of Christmas. We expect formal consultation to start in due course; in the meantime we will be speaking to our members and assuring them of our commitment to helping them during the difficult period ahead.” concluded David Beevers.