Unions may urge strike action over Marconi job cuts

Marconi is to meet with union bosses to discuss its plans to cut 2,100 UK jobs.

It's reported that union officials could press for strike action unless Marconi agrees to a voluntary redundancy programme.

A delegation from four unions - MSF, AEEU, T&G and GMB - is due to meet Mike Parton, the new chief executive, at the group's Bruton Street headquarters.

They will demand a full briefing on the impact of Marconi's continuing review of operations on its labour force, including the distribution of job cuts across its UK sites.

Danny Carrigan, AEEU national officer for manufacturing, who will lead the delegation, said: "We plan to challenge them on the jobs cuts. . . We will tell them we can only work with them on the basis of trust, rather than in response to boardroom diktat."

Union officials have become increasingly doubtful that Marconi can achieve the 2,100 job cuts that were announced in July and earlier this month through voluntary redundancies.

The unions also plan to press Mr Parton to negotiate a reduced pay-out to Lord Simpson, Marconi's former chief executive, who is in line to receive £1m following his resignation earlier this month.

It's believed he is willing to compromise on the payment.