GWU says no to dismissals from Go

The General Workers' Union insisted yesterday it would not be accepting dismissals from Go plc, which has decided to cut its workforce by 350. During a meeting of the Go Workers' Central Committee, it was decided that the GWU should ask for a meeting of the consultative committee made up of union officials and top management to clarify the situation.

This followed a letter sent to workers on Wednesday reminding them of the company's voluntary early retirement scheme.

The Go workers' committee also decided to encourage the company's other unions to unite as one front to safeguard the workers' jobs.

The Times reported on Thursday that the company was planning to reduce its workforce "in the short term". Employees are being urged to take up the voluntary retirement scheme that ends in May.

The former state-owned company, which was privatised after Dubai-based firm Tecom Investments bought the government's 60 per cent stake in 2006, was precluded from shedding any jobs for three years as part of the sale agreement. The period expires this year, together with the last voluntary redundancy scheme on offer.

The company has been particularly hit by the changing landscape in the telecoms sector. Three years ago, it had a monopoly on fixed-line telephony. That has now ended and it has to compete with five telecoms companies in different services.