UNION leaders are to hold a strike ballot at a major Scottish call centre following reports it could be axed.
The O2 mobile phone customer service hub in Glasgow employs 1000 staff who will receive their ballot papers on Friday.
The move is the latest twist in a deepening row between the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) and O2 as well as global out-sourcing giant Capita. It centres on a decision by Spanish-owned O2 to switch customer service work at its four UK call centres to Capita, along with 3700 staff. The transfer is planned for July and will trigger £1 bil-lion of savings for O2's parent company, Telefonica.
O2 promised the switch will not lead to compulsory job losses and pledged to protect existing pay and conditions for the next two years. However, last week there were reports of a secret plan to axe the Skypark call centre in Finnieston and another at Bury in Greater Manchester.
Capita refused to confirm or deny the claims, while O2 said there was, "no secret plan" but admitted it would require fewer staff in the years ahead.
CWU's deputy general secretary Andy Kerr said: "Our members don't know who to trust and we feel like we've been lied to by O2 and Capita. We've been left no option by the company but to hold this ballot."
The ballot result is expected on June 18, with the majority expected to vote for strike action. However, there is speculation O2 will attempt to broker a deal with the union this week.
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