News

Telecom unions from the UK, France and Germany will meet tomorrow in Dublin at a conference organised by UNI Global Union to discuss a coordinated response to the proposed merger between France Telecom and Deutsche Telekom’s mobile phone operations in the UK to ensure that workers’ rights are protected if the two companies join together.

In the plan announced by the two companies today, France Telecom’s Orange and Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile would join forces in a 50-50 joint merger that would create the biggest mobile phone operator in the United Kingdom.

UNI Telecom, which represents 2 million workers in 195 trade unions worldwide, is concerned about what this deal will mean for UK workers at the two firms. The companies say the plan would lead to some 4 billion Euros in cost savings.

“UNI Global Union has a very positive relationship with France Telecom through our Global Agreement with the company,” said UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings. “We look forward to learning more about the merger and what this means for the workers in the U.K. We want to ensure they are treated fairly, all collective agreements are honoured and that the new company, if formed, respects workers’ right to union representation.”

UNI’s European telecom unions are meeting at an industry conference in Dublin this week and representatives from unions in the UK, France and Germany will be discussing the proposed merger and how to ensure that quality jobs for mobile phone company employees are not lost in this deal.

The unions will also have a chance to address their concerns about the UK merger to France Telecom managment at a European Works Council meeting that will be held on September 18.



The Communication Workers Union, one of UNI’s UK affiliates, today urged Orange to act responsibly over job and efficiency implications of the proposed takeover of T-Mobile.



"If this proposed takeover of one mobile firm by a larger one goes ahead we think we will be looking at job losses and possibly site closures of both call centres and retail outlets in a rationalisation programme,” said Andy Kerr, CWU deputy general secretary. "It is crucial that Orange makes commitments over job security and is honest with staff regarding the implications of this takeover. Staff motivation and retention will be key to a successful and smooth operation."



Another affiliate, UK telecom union Connect said it “is aware of media coverage of a reported agreement between Orange and T-mobile in the UK. Details of this agreement are unclear at this very early stage, but we are committed to engaging with T-mobile on behalf of Connect members. Our priority will be to secure the best possible outcome for Connect members in this period of transition."



UNI has a global agreement with France Telecom that sets some basic standards for working conditions and ensures that all France Telecom employees worldwide have the right to union representation.



UNI’s negotiations with Deutsche Telekom for a global agreement continue.