UNION leaders have hit out at mobile phone giant Vodafone after it emerged about 75 North Staffordshire employees could face the axe.

Representatives at Prospect, which has Vodafone members in its Connect division, accused the firm of creating confusion and said morale among the workforce was at "rock bottom".

The Sentinel reported last week that Vodafone is planning to cut 375 jobs across the country.

But the mobile phone giant announced 170 customer service and sales jobs would also be created, and 50 additional graduates would be taken on.

The firm refused to reveal where the jobs would be lost or gained.

But Prospect says workers have told representatives that about 75 positions are under threat at its call centre in Etruria, which employs about 1,000 people.

Cait Hughes, senior organising project leader, called for more clarity from Vodafone.

The union is not formally recognised within the firm and it is trying to sign up more members.

Ms Hughes and colleague Ben Bellamy handed out leaflets to Vodafone employees as they arrived for work at the firm's base in Forge Lane yesterday.

She said: "There's been quite a lot of confusion about the job cuts.

"We've heard three different figures from three different sources.

"We've written to the company and asked them to consult with us, but we've had no response, which we think is disgraceful.

"Although we don't have recognition, we have generally had a good relationship with Vodafone, but on this issue everything that's come from the company has been confusing.

"How can a company with the slogan 'passion for people' treat its employees like this?"

Ms Hughes said the union has been told the cuts will affect employees in North Staffordshire.

She added: "Vodafone said the roles that are going would be non-customer facing, so we didn't think it would affect people here, but we're now hearing a figure of 75.

"There's been no clarity from the company.

"People have been calling us in tears asking 'why me?' and we can't give them an answer."

Mr Bellamy added: "People are saying that morale is at rock bottom."

A spokesman for Vodafone could not confirm how many North Staffordshire staff will be affected.

Last week the company said most of the axed jobs would be back office roles.

At the time, human resources director Matthew Brearley said: "We're committed to increasing the number of customer-facing employees."

To join Prospect contact 02089 716060.

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