A source, who wished to remain anonymous, informed ZDNet Australia that a significant number of WorldCom's local staff were fired on Friday and that more layoffs are expected this week.
Mark Brownlow, assistant branch secretary of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU), said that retrenched WorldCom workers were party to an interim award, along with OzEmail employees. However, he could give no indication of the extent of the layoffs. -We haven't been fully appraised. We're hoping to find out as this week progresses," he said.
In reference to those already laid-off, Brownlow said: -They're in a better position than the people at One.Tel. They've been treated in accordance to the award in relation to redundancies." Although the award isn't great, it's better than nothing, he said, adding that the Union was in discussions with WorldCom in case any problems surfaced.
Rachel Glanville, managing director, WorldCom Australia, told ZDNet Australia it is the company's international policy that she not comment. She could only refer enquiries to the official spokesperson for the Asia-Pacific region.
The official spokesperson said she is awaiting approval to release the final numbers of local layoffs.
