Around 20% of the combined workforce of Ziggo and UPC Nederland is set to lose their jobs after the planned merger of the two opertors.
The two companies currently employ around 4,500 people and the unions originally thought between 500 and 600 would be lost. However, citing sources within Ziggo and UPC, the Dutch NRC Q business news website said around 900 jobs are set to go.
The main casualties are thought to be found with temp workers in the services centres; engineering jobs will remain safe. The Abvakabo FNV union will meet with Ziggo on October 30 to discuss a ‘social plan’ for the employees that will have to go.
Meanwhile, current Ziggo shareholders have until November 4 to accept the offer from Liberty Global. In order for the merger to proceed, at least 80% of all shares need to be submitted.
After the merger, the UPC brand will disappear in the Netherlands and the combined cable network will operate under the Ziggo brand, serving around 4.4 million customers.
