Consultation on BT job losses ‘a sham’ say MSPs

Industry: Claim after meeting telecom bosses

BT Group’s consultation on axing skilled jobs in Aberdeen has been branded a “sham” after north-east MSPs met bosses yesterday.

Kevin Stewart and Gillian Martin urged the telecoms giant to consider home working options for the skilled Openreach employees, who could be forced to move to Glasgow or Wales to keep their jobs.

The SNP pair’s meeting with bosses had already been scheduled when BT announced on Tuesday it was also consulting on 140 jobs at its Granite City base at New Telecom House in South College Street.

Openreach previously told The P&J it was “too soon to start talking numbers” of employees affected by its planned move south. BT said only 10% of the building is in use and the cost of renewing its lease had prompted the closure plans.

It is understood home working is not being considered, despite the technology coming to the fore during lockdown.

Last night, Aberdeen Central MSP Mr Stewart said: “I’m appalled that home working has not been considered, given how successful this has proved in recent months. This is a communications company seemingly unable to establish a basic communications system to allow folk to work from home.

“BT say a consultation process is under way, but it was clear from our meeting that this is a sham and a done deal, with BT determined to move staff to so-called ‘centres of excellence’.”

His Aberdeenshire East colleague Gillian Martin added: “I know from constituents working for Openreach that their proposals around how home working could save their jobs have been all but dismissed.

“Bosses gave me no indication these proposals would be looked at despite maintaining that a consultation is ongoing.”

BT was approached for comment.

“I am appalled home working has not been considered”