- Virgin Media O2 Announces Up to 2,000 Job Cuts
- Telecom Giant to Reduce Workforce by Over 10%
- CWU and Prospect Collaborate to Address Layoffs’ Impact
According to reports, more than a tenth of the workforce will be made redundant as a result of the job cuts.
The British mobile operator Virgin Media O2 intends to lay off up to 2,000 workers by the end of the year.
The telecoms behemoth reportedly began handing out layoff notices on Monday night.
The layoffs, which include some previously disclosed organizational changes, will affect more than ten percent of the mobile operator’s workforce.
A spokesperson for Virgin Media O2 stated, “As we continue to integrate and transform as a company, we are currently consulting on proposals to simplify our operating model to better serve our consumers, which will result in the reduction of certain positions this year.
Although we recognize that any period of change can be challenging, we are committed to supporting all of our employees and are collaborating closely with the CWU, Prospect, and our internal employee representatives as we have open and honest conversations about the future of our business.”
It follows the reduction of 55,000 positions by rival BT Group in May.
BT predicted a “rolling plan” to cut its “total labour resource” from 130,000 to between 75,000 and 90,000 by the end of the decade.
Philip Jansen, chief executive officer, told investors he expected AI technology to supplant approximately 10,000 jobs.
In 2020, a joint venture between the US-listed Liberty Group and the Spanish Telefonica created Virgin Media O2.
After receiving reports that the mobile provider made cancelling services difficult, Ofcom opened an investigation earlier this month.
The Liberty Group also owns 5% of Vodafone, which plans to eliminate 11,000 positions worldwide over the next three years.
The company anticipates a $1.6bn (£1.2bn) decline in annual free cash flow.
Tracey Fussey, assistant secretary of the Communication Workers Union, stated, “This news is causing a great deal of anxiety among our members, who are now feeling insecure about their employment amidst a historic economic crisis”.
We will do everything we can to reduce layoffs after the confirmation of employment losses.
“The announcement of 2,000 layoffs includes adjustments made this year,” We will work with VMO2 throughout consultations.
“The CWU will do everything within our power to ensure that our members receive clarity and security regarding their futures,”
