WORKERS at a Hampshire telecoms firm are planning industrial action after it was announced dozens of jobs may be transferred to Romania.
Prysmian Bishopstoke cable workers have said they may strike over plans to cut 40 jobs and close the only department of its kind left in the UK, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today, March 31.
Prysmian wants to move production for cables primarily for BT from Bishopstoke to Romania.
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The plan is designed to reduce labour costs despite Prysmian admitting to Unite during initial consultations that the Hampshire factory, which opened as the Telephone Cable Factory in 1967, is profitable.
The factory’s workers are set to begin a consultative ballot for industrial action over the plans.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Hugely profitable Prysmian’s disgraceful plans are the ugly and irresponsible face of corporate greed. It admits its Bishopstoke operations are successful, yet it plans to throw loyal and hardworking staff under the bus to squeeze out as much extra cash as it can.
“Prysmian’s Bishopstoke workforce have Unite’s total backing in fighting against these abhorrent plans.”
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Italy-based Prysmian's financial report for 2024 states that the company has "excellent cash generation with free flow at €1,011M (+39.6per cent)". The report states that profitability (EBITDA) increased by 18.4 per cent to €2 billion.
Around 250 people are employed at the factory, with the telecoms department, which produces fibreoptic cables, under threat.
Unite regional officer Malcolm Bonnett said: “Prysmian’s anti-worker plans are about greed not need and must be scrapped. Unite will be lobbying BT to ensure it steps in and demands that its cables, which are used in the UK, are produced in the UK.”
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