BT Group PLC (LON:BT.) could be set to cut up to another 6,500 more jobs, according to media reports, with comments from unions suggesting the axe will mainly fall on management roles.
The telecoms giant, which slashed 4,000 jobs last year, could accompany first quarter numbers on Thursday 10 May with a further cull, according to analysts quoted by the Financial Times.
READ: BT dividend cut cannot be ruled out, says Morgan Stanley ahead of earnings
The newspaper said analysts at French investment bank Exane BNP Paribas predict the loss of 6,600 jobs over the next three years, with US rival Morgan Stanley estimating the figure could be around 6,500.
The possible cuts would, however, follow BT’s announcement in February that it would be employing 3,000 engineers to speed up the roll out of super-fast broadband back.
Responding to the news reports, the Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents largely non-management workers at BT, said in a statement that it is confident any job losses will have little impact on those it represents, suggesting that BT managers will largely be in the firing line.
The talk of BT jobs cuts come after fellow telecoms and broadband provider Virgin Media on Thursday announced 500 job losses under a planned shake-up of its UK sites.
The firm – owned by US cables giant Liberty Media - which currently operates from more than 100 locations, said its eight customer service centres would be reduced to four.
The biggest loss would be a major call centre in Swansea, where 800 people currently work, though most roles would transfer, the company said in a statement.
Virgin Media’s chief executive Tom Mockridge said the group would be investing £40mln in business property over the next three years.