Marconi battle goes European

The plant in Poole is earmarked for closure

Marconi union officials from across Europe are being asked to support a campaign against the telecoms giant's plans to cut thousands of jobs.

The company's European Works Council is meeting in Coventry.

Trade union leaders from countries including Italy, Spain and Germany, are joining the talks.

Marconi wants to cut 4,000 jobs across the world, including 1,500 in the UK.

Manufacturing Science and Finance union general secretary Roger Lyons said: "The meeting is the ideal opportunity for the unions to organise a European-wide campaign to oppose Marconi job cuts.

"We expect to receive strong support from our sister unions in Europe to launch a co-ordinated campaign to force Marconi to think again about these disgraceful redundancies."

Marconi wants to close its plant at Poole in Dorset.

Morale among workers has been described by union officials as being at an "all-time low".