speculation 1200 more jobs to go

Fears Telstra to slash 1,200 jobs
Communications workers fear Telstra is about to slash 1,200 jobs nationally, due to the merger of its two construction divisions.

The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union fears the absorption of Telstra subsidiary NDC back into the main organisation will leave hundreds of jobs in jeopardy.

"From the numbers we've been given...is that there's probably about 1,200 people nationally that we can't account for," union spokesman John Brown said.

But Telstra disputes that figure as pure speculation.

Spokeswoman Megan Lane says there will be gradual reductions in staffing across the organisation, but there is no hit list.

She has also called on the unions to avoid industrial action over the merger.

"I would hope that they engage us in discussions before taking any action that would cost both of us time and money," she said.