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1. Victorian Union Official nominates for troubled Telstra Board. Dissident candidate Len Cooper, Victorian Secretary of the Communications Division of the Communications, Electrical & Plumbing Union, Mr. Cooper has been a trenchant critic of rationalisation within the telco, including plans to axe another 10’000 jobs by 2002... HERALD-SUN 29/9/2000
   
   Postal news from International Postal Worker News - CUPW Sudbury Local 612.
   
   
2. USPS expands network to include Canada, Mexico and S. Korea. 29/09/00
   
3. U.K. strike fears over post reform Royal Mail today unveiled a £400 million overhaul of its London operations that will cost thousands of jobs and risks provoking massive strikes. Union leaders representing London's 20,000 postal workers are convinced services will deteriorate because of the modernisation. Norman Candy, regional officer for the Communications Workers' Union, warned there would be at least 3,500 job losses and said a London-wide strike was "almost inevitable" and added: "We are meeting next week and we would expect to seek a ballot to proceed to industrial action." 26/09/00
   
4. Postal unions in India threaten strike. The main stumbling block is stated to be their demand for pension for about three lakh part-time employees serving rural areas. 23/09/00
   
5. Despite the "appalling persecution" of a homosexual U.S. postal worker, a federal appeals court dismissed a lawsuit brought by Dwayne Simonton, alleging employment discrimination. Mr. Simonton was ridiculed, harassed and even punched by co-workers. But the court dismissed his case, noting that discrimination against homosexuals is not protected under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 22/09/00
   
   
6. BT shares at two-year low as Orange closes on Cellnet. Independent, 05/10/00
   
7. Telewest bags Orange chief to head cable arm. Independent, 05/10/00
   
8. Kingston's affair with Hull turns sour. Kingston Communications' love affair with the residents of Hull is coming under strain just seven months after the former municipal phone company's elevation to the FTSE 100 sparked celebrations among locals and triggered the biggest financial windfall ever landed by a British city. Guardian, 05/10/00
   
9. C&W to pay Nortel £950m to expand internet voice technology plans. Independent, 05/10/00
   
10. Telefónica wants more than Mexico from Motorola. Telefónica, the Spanish telecoms giant, said it was in talks with Motorola to buy its mobile phone operations in six countries, including Brazil, Israel and Lithuania. The announcement followed Telefónica's agreement to buy the US group's Mexican mobile phone assets. Financial Times, 05/10/00
    
11. Marconi to sell factories and outsource production. Marconi, the UK's biggest telecoms equipment manufacturer, unveiled a plan to outsource most of its production, following a trend established in the US. It will sell five of its largest factories, which employ 2,900 staff. Financial Times, 05/10/00
    
12. Marconi wins £2bn contract from BT. Financial Times, 05/10/00
    
13. Nortel in $10bn outsourcing deal. Financial Times, 05/10/00
    
14. Wap leads mobile boom. The number of mobile phones in Britain grows past 34m, say operators, which are poised to test Cellnet's prominence in the Wap market. BBC, 05/10/00
    
15. The Economist: BT holds back Britain's e-economy. Economist, 05/10/00
    
16. C&W to transfer all voice traffic to internet. Cable and Wireless, the UK-based telecommunications operator, is planning to shift its voice traffic to a new network based on internet technology within three years. Financial Times, 03/10/00
    
17. C&W in Nortel internet deal. Cable and Wireless signs a deal with Nortel Networks, investing £950m in an internet technology which cuts the cost of telephone calls. BBC, 03/10/00
    
18. BT pressed for executive action. A growing number of British Telecommunication's investors are questioning whether the board has the right people for the job. Financial Times, 03/10/00
    
19. Ericsson starts planning for 4G technology. Ericsson, the world's biggest supplier of telecoms infrastructure, revealed it had started planning for a fourth generation of mobile phone systems, that will represent another big leap in internet connection speeds and picture quality. Financial Times, 03/10/00
    
20. Britain claims telecoms victory. The British government on Monday claimed victory in its battle to bring European Commission rules on telecoms liberalisation in line with its own, but admitted the UK had fallen behind Germany. Financial Times, 03/10/00
    
21. 3 October 2000 The telecoms minister Patricia Hewitt yesterday sprang to the defence of Oftel and British Telecom as a group of rival operators lodged a formal complaint over the company's failure to open its local networks to competition. Independent, 03/10/00
    
22. BT under fire on fast web. Rivals of British Telecom complain to the industry watchdog that the former phone monopolist is holding back high-speed net access. BBC, 03/10/00
    
23. Government weighs into postal row. DTI to fight European plans for cut in monopoly by 2003 overruling neutral line on the issue. Times, 03/10/00
    
24. C&W Optus seeks partner. Financial Times, 03/10/00
    
25. C&W ponders Optus sale. Financial Times, 03/10/00
    
26. C&W hit by liberalisation. Financial Times, 03/10/00
    
27. mail company to create 1,600 jobs. Northern Ireland received an economic shot in the arm on Monday with news of plans to create almost 1,600 new jobs. Northern Irish e-mail company Gem said it planned to expand its operations in the province, including the setting up of an e-response customer service centre, creating 700 new jobs in Londonderry and a further 195 in Belfast. Reuters, 03/10/00
    
28. Orange adds 1.1 million customers. Reuters, 03/10/00
    
29. Cellnet 'likely to lag rivals'. UK mobile phone subsidiary of BT expected to emerge with lowest subscriber numbers. Times, 03/10/00
    
30. BT's Vallance to 'stay'. BT denies weekend reports that its chairman Sir Iain Vallance is to leave the company before his contract ends. BBC, 03/10/00
    
31. Mobile giant plays down MI5 probe. MI5 is reportedly investigating a French industrial espionage ring - but alleged victim Orange says no secrets were stolen. BBC, 03/10/00
    
32. BT exchanges may go to auction. Space in BT exchanges could be auctioned or awarded to rival companies by means of a lottery to solve the controversy surrounding the break-up of the local telephone network. Guardian, 30/09/00
    
33. NTL joins studio system. Cable group NTL yesterday announced a joint venture with Hollywood studio Universal for a film channel that will form part of the group's basic package of channels. Guardian, 30/09/00
    
34. FCC approves proposal to form wireless giant. The Federal Communications Commission said on Friday it has approved SBC Communications and BellSouth's proposal to create the second-largest wireless carrier in the US. Financial Times, 30/09/00
    
35. SBC in South America venture. Financial Times, 30/09/00
    
36. SBC reported to be selling stakes to Telia. Financial Times, 30/09/00
    
37. SBC takes $150m Covad stake. Financial Times, 30/09/00
    
38. BellSouth buys mobile stake. Financial Times, 30/09/00
    
39. DoCoMo and KPN plan mobile European portal. DoCoMo of Japan and KPN Mobile, its Dutch phone partner, plan to launch a mobile phone internet portal in Europe using DoCoMo's innovative i-mode technology. Financial Times, 30/09/00
    
40. City watchdog says early retirement is madness. The head of a leading financial watchdog has called for the Government to take new measures to stop people taking early retirement. Independent, 30/09/00
    
41. Oftel denies loop rift. Oftel refutes allegations that it is lobbying the EC. ZDNet UK, 29/09/00
    
42. BT bungles security fix. After BBC News Online reveals a serious internet security breach at BT's free e-mail service, the telecom giant struggles to find a solution. BBC, 29/09/00
    
43. Minimum wage increase. The national minimum wage will rise by 10p an hour on Sunday to £3.70 but unions are still campaigning for a rate of £5 an hour. BBC
    
44. ADSL for £20 a month. ZDNet UK
    
45. AOL challenges BT over ADSL. ZDNet UK
    
46. South Korea not respecting its commitments to the WTO. South Korea is not complying with the social commitments that all countries belonging to the WTO (World Trade Organization) are supposed to respect. ICFTU, 28/09/00
    
47. BT internet security breach. A serious fault has been uncovered at BT's free e-mail service Talk21, allowing unauthorised access to personal accounts. BBC, 29/09/00
    Also: Security glitch at BT broadband. BBC, 29/09/00
    
48. Worldcom tests merger decision. Global telecom giant Worldcom appeals against the EU regulators' decision to block its proposed $129bn merger with rival Sprint. BBC, 29/09/00
    
49. Freeserve losses double. The UK internet service provider reports widening losses as it hits problems caused by heavy demand for unmetered access. BBC, 29/09/00
    
50. Satellite TV groups face selling spree. TECHNICAL changes to the UK's major indices are expected to spark a wave of selling in satellite television companies Telewest Communications and BSkyB as tracker funds adjust their portfolios. Daily Telegraph, 29/09/00
    
51. Corning clinches fibre buy. Fibre optics giant Corning buys out Pirelli's optical components business, cementing the US company's position as a sector leader. BBC, 29/09/00
    
52. Vodafone poised for E12bn Italian sell-off. Vodafone, the UK mobile phone group, is within days of completing the sale of Infostrada, its Italian internet and fixed phone business, for E12bn ($10.56bn) in cash and loan notes to Enel. But it is unclear whether Italy's electricity generator will be joined by France Telecom. Financial Times, 29/09/00
    
53. Probe into telecom bank loans. European banking regulators are probing $171bn (E194bn) of new loans made to European telecommunications groups, fearing that the banks have lent too much money to the sector. Financial Times, 29/09/00
    
54. Nigeria seeks $5bn investment. Nigeria's state-owned telecommunications company, Nitel, has won government approval to seek foreign financial backing for a multi-billion dollar expansion of its network. Financial Times, 29/09/00
    
55. Unbundling the last mile. Telecoms is on the threshold of genuine competition, but only if regulators play their part. Financial Times, 29/09/00
    
56. Germany to cut Telekom stake. The German government plans to reduce its stake in Deutsche Telekom, to secure US approval of its takeover of Voicestream. BBC, 26/09/00
    
57. Germany pledges to sell Telekom stake. The German government has promised Washington it will sell its stake in Deutsche Telekom, a sign that German officials are concerned the group's proposed $45bn (£30.8bn) merger of VoiceStream is in danger of being blocked. Financial Times, 26/09/00
    
58. The future's Orange for Ananova. The Herald, 26/09/00
    
59. Atlantic goes Dutch with £9m deal. The Herald, 26/09/00
    
60. Redstone avoids BT's local loop obstacles . Guardian, 26/09/00
    
61. Virgin Mobile seeks £115m to widen sales base . Guardian, 26/09/00
    
62. Telefonica plans Israeli deal. Telefonica, the Spanish telephone company, plans to buy a 50 per cent stake in Pelephone, an Israeli mobile phone operator, from Motorola's Israeli subsidiary, according to local media reports. Financial Times, 26/09/00
    
63. On Digital in investment talks with telecoms groups. On Digital has held preliminary discussions with several large telecommunications and cable companies about a strategic investment in the digital broadcaster before an estimated £2bn flotation. Financial Times, 26/09/00
    
64. AOL eyes Japan alliance. America Online is set to announce a strategic alliance with Japan's largest mobile telecoms company, NTT DoCoMo, reports say. BBC, 26/09/00
    
65. AOL, DoCoMo set for Japanese alliance. America Online and DoCoMo are expected to announce on Wednesday that they have agreed a strategic alliance to link their services, beginning in the Japanese market. Financial Times, 26/09/00
    
66. Marshall to leave BT board. Former Diageo boss Sir Anthony Greener is to become a director of British Telecom after the firm announced a boardroom reshuffle in which two directors are to go. BBC, 25/09/00
    
67. Eircom denies claim over sale of stake. There is no basis for the claim in yesterday's Sunday Times that France Telecom is involved in talks with Eircom for the purchase of a 29.9 per cent in the recently, and controversially, floated Irish telephone company, Mr Gerry O'Sullivan, Eircom's spokesman, said yesterday. Irish Times, 25/09/00
    
68. Pressure builds over pensions. Tony Blair was last night under mounting pressure to force concessions from the chancellor Gordon Brown on petrol and pensions, the two issues that most seriously threaten his government's popularity - and the success of this week's crucial Labour conference. Guardian, 25/09/00
    
69. Scots lead charge on BT. SCOTTISH telecoms group iomart yesterday won a contract to install Internet access technology in BT exchanges serving cities north of the Border. The move will see Glasgow-based iomart's technology installed in BT exchanges serving Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee from early next year. Daily Record, 25/09/00
    
70. Rivals may fight shy of joining BT loop. Half of interested companies expected to drop out by Christmas. Times, 25/09/00
    
71. BT may face legal threat over local loop access. Telecommunications companies angered by British Telecommunication's delay in opening up its local monopoly are considering legal action against the former monopoly if the situation does not improve. Financial Times, 25/09/00
    
72. Leader of ICTU says racism could threaten Ireland's economic prosperity. Racism and xenophobia could jeopardise our economic prosperity, the general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Mr Peter Cassells told a weekend Conference on Immigration. He said asylum-seekers and refugees should be allowed to work. Irish Times, 25/09/00
    
73. STUC to take stand on private financing. The Herald, 25/09/00
    
74. Atlantic Telecom in Dutch deal. Atlantic Telecom is expected to announce on Monday that it has paid E15m (£9m) cash for a 65 per cent equity stake in Telepartner Plus, a Netherlands-based company offering digital subscriber line services. Financial Times, 25/09/00
    
75. A Year Ago: MCI WorldCom, Sprint talking merger. First published: Fri, 24 Sep 1999. ZDNet, 25/09/00
    
76. France Telecom in talks with Eircom. World's fourth-biggest phone company, is thought to be in talks about acquiring a 29% stake in the Irish firm. Sunday Times, 24/09/00
    
77. France Telecom eyes Irish buy. France Telecom is in talks to buy 29% of Irish telecoms group Eircom for at least £1bn, the Sunday Times newspaper reported. BBC, 24/09/00
    
78. WHEN cable company NTL signed its ground-breaking double shirt deal with Celtic and Rangers last year, it was obvious the company was moving up into the premier league. Sunday Herald, 24/09/00
    
79. BT in Oftel inquiry over blocking hi-tech rivals. Observer, 24/09/00
    
80. Oftel chief hits back at wave of criticism. Oftel has come out fighting after bruising week. Sunday Times, 24/09/00
    
81. Oftel chief gets cross line in BT row. BT's competitors are blaming Oftel's director general for allowing the phone firm to obstruct access to its network. Paul Durman reports. Sunday Times, 24/09/00
    
82. Big unions try to strike pension deal. Observer, 24/09/00
    
83. AT&T Cable Technicians Win CWA Representation at AT&T Broadband in Beaverton,Oregon. Communications Workers of America
    
84. Communications Workers President Bahr on Today's Vote By IUE to Merge with CWA. 'Merger of IUE with CWA Strengthens Both Unions, Opens the Door to Revitalized Industrial Organizing Thrust'. CWA (Communications Workers of America), 21/09/00
    
85. BT hits back in break-up row. British Telecom yesterday reacted angrily to suggestions it is dragging its feet over the break-up of its monopoly on the local telephone network and said it might challenge any attempt by regulators to speed up the process. Guardian, 23/09/00
    
86. UK faces embarrassment over unbundling delay. The European Commission was on a collision course with Britain's telecom regulator on Friday as British Telecommunications insisted that it would not meet demands to break up its local monopoly this year. Financial Times, 23/09/00
    
87. Oftel hits back as criticism mounts. UK telecoms watchdog Oftel denies claims that it has allowed BT to stifle growth of the internet. BBC, 22/09/00
    
88. Danon joins BT as retail head. British Telecommunications has appointed Pierre Danon, former president of Xerox Europe, to head its retail division. BT said the new retail line of business would have £10bn ($14.11bn) in revenues and more than 24m customers. Financial Times, 23/09/00
    
89. DoCoMo agrees AOL wireless internet alliance. America Online and NTT DoCoMo, the dominant Japanese mobile telecommunications group, will next week announce a strategic global alliance that will bring together the world's largest and second largest internet service providers. Financial Times, 23/09/00
    
90. AOL-Time Warner make final plea. American media groups AOL and Time Warner have submitted a one-and-a-half page letter making fresh concessions to the European commission in a last-ditch attempt to gain approval for their $183bn (£125.3bn) merger. Guardian, 23/09/00
    
91. POST OFFICE BRINGS IN IMAGE CONSULTANTS. The Post Office is to work with five "branding" consultancy firms to "focus on the changing needs of customers." No costings have been mentioned. UK Post Office, 21/09/00
    
92. Telecoms watchdog under fire on internet debacle. Britain's independent telecommunications watchdog has lost the confidence of senior officials within the UK government and European Commission who believe it has allowed British Telecommunications to stifle internet growth. Financial Times, 22/09/00
    
93. Pressure grows on Oftel. UK telecoms watchdog Oftel insists it has the development of broadband net access under control despite a barrage of criticism. BBC, 22/09/00
    
94. Oftel fails the UK. Oftel makes the headlines again as pressure mounts on the regulator to do something about BT's Internet stranglehold. ZDNet UK, 22/09/00
    
95. US groups drop UK web plans. Financial Times, 22/09/00
    
96. NTT to slash 6,500 jobs. NTT, Japan's telecommunications giant, will cut 6,500 jobs in its workforce through voluntary retirement, as part of its ongoing restructuring programme. Financial Times, 22/09/00
    
97. India says telecoms restored. The Indian government has said that telecommunications services on most national and international routes had been restored after a week of disruption by unions. Financial Times, 22/09/00
    
98. US companies abandon UK broadband schemes. ZDNet 21/09/00
99. Indian telecom workers plan strike. Workers at India's two main state-owned telephone companies last night intensified their campaign against liberalisation of the telecommunications industry, which has as part of its final goal privatisation of the two state-owned telephone companies, MTNL and VSNL. Financial Times, 20/09/00
    
100. BT CONFIRMS TALKS WITH AT&T. BT has confirmed it is talking with US telecoms giant AT& T over how their relationship can develop. A statement from the British firm says: "These conversations are continuing and may or may not lead to any change in the existing alliance arrangements." BT, 17/09/00
     
101. BT heats up Ignite debate. BBC, 15/09/00
     
102. Employers to find another £700m a year for pensions. BBC, 15/09/00
     
103. Taiwan may sell Chunghwa stakes to foreign telcos. Taiwan said it may seek to sell shares in Chunghwa Telecom, the state-owned telephone company, to foreign telecoms groups following the failure of the company's IPO. Financial Times, 15/09/00
     
104. BT cancels jobs in fuel crisis. Telephone repairs and installations are delayed for residential and business customers as British Telecom runs out of fuel. BBC, 14/09/00
     
105. TUC warns on fuel crisis. The TUC condemns the fuel blockade, as the conference calls for the restoration of the link between pensions and earnings. BBC, 13/09/00
     
106. CWU wins recognition at Lumina, DX Communications and The Mobile Phone Store. CWU
     
107. TUC demands 'fat cat' pay action. BBC, 10/09/00
     
108. CWU PUTS POST OFFICE AND CALL CENTRES UNDER SPOTLIGHT AT TUC. The future of the Post Office and working conditions at call centres are just two of the issues being highlighted by the union at the TUC in Glasgow this week. For motions and amendments put forward by the union, see our "CWU at TUC page". CWU
     
109. TUC at the crossroads. The TUC annual conference will be crucial in establishing its relations with Labour, as the BBC's Jonty Bloom explains. BBC, 10/09/00
     
110. Unions back pensions link. BBC, 10/09/00
     
111. Workers 'fail to save for retirement'. More than a quarter of all workers are not putting aside any money for retirement, according to a survey. BBC, 10/09/00
     
112. Union says 'go slow' on euro. UK trade union leader Bill Morris says it is wrong to call for an early entry to the single currency, as unions could lose the support of their members. BBC, 10/09/00
     
113. UC: a proud movement's past. The strength of the trade union movement has fluctuated as militancy and political influence have been increasingly hard to maintain. BBC, 10/09/00
     
114. TUC: decline and revival. TUC membership has begun to revive after two decades of decline - but the public sector is now the most well BBC, 10/09/00
     
115. Unions reap social benefits. The TUC can look with satisfaction at a host of legislation that has enhanced workers rights - but companies are worried. BBC, 10/09/00
     
116. Minimum wage fight. The trade unions will continue their battle to increase the minimum wage to £5 an hour at the TUC annual conference. BBC, 10/09/00
     
117. Verizon grants stock options to 210,000 workers. Verizon Communications, the number one US telecommunications company, is to offer 210,000 employees options to buy a total of 55m shares of Verizon common stock, the company said. Financial Times 09/09/00
     ft.com view: Following a wobbly start to life, which began with a strike involving 85,000 workers, Verizon is apparently keen to foment a sense of loyalty and ownership among its employees.
     
118. Verizon plans $5bn IPO. Financial Times 09/09/00
     
119. Union proves victor as Verizon strike ends. Financial Times/09/00
     
120. Virgin chooses Scottish kiosks, Sunday Herald, 10/09/00
     
121. China Telecom slashes payroll. China Telecom plans to spin off non-core businesses and shift about 200,000 staff from its payroll as part of a plan to turn itself into an "internationally competitive" company within five years. Financial Times 09/09/00
     
122. Qwest cuts 12,800 jobs. Qwest Communications on Thursday raised its forecasts for earnings and for capital expenditure in 2000 and 2001 and said it is to cut 12,800 jobs as part of a restructuring aimed at ramping up growth in the wake of its takeover of US West in June. Financial Times 09/09/00
     
123. Details of the UK broadband wireless licence auction. UK government site
     
124. It's good to gas. British gas supplier Centrica announces details of the savings it will be offering when it launches in the telephone market next month. BBC, 03/09/00
     
125. Sacked for downloading porn. Mobile phone giant Orange sacks up to 40 of its workers after an internal investigation reveals they were downloading pornography from the internet. BBC, 03/09/00
     
126. Telefónica up on strong results. Shares in Telefónica rose after the Spanish telecoms group reported first-half net profits of E989.03m ($880m), lower than the corresponding period last year, but higher than analysts had expected. Financial Times, 02/09/00
     
127. BT halts deals to tackle debt. British Telecommunications has put the brakes on big deals while it conducts a string of disposals to reduce its debt mountain by at least £10bn ($14.6bn). Financial Times, 02/09/00
     
128. Spain rethinks 3G strategy. The Spanish government, under fire for "giving away" third-generation mobile telephone licences in March, may sell additional 3G licenses and is studying whether to levy additional charges on the winners of the March contest. Financial Times, 02/09/00
     
129. BT hopes Open World is a quick fix. British Telecom's new high-speed internet service provider, Open World, goes live today, offering connections at 10 times the speed of standard online services. Guardian, 29/08/00
     
130. BT launches fast net connection. British Telecom has launched its broadband internet access service for residential customers, but only one-third of the population can get it. BBC, 29/08/00
     
131. BT launches broadband, but delays persist. Broadband arrives but you could be waiting months before you get it. ZDNet UK, 29/08/00
     
132. Telekom pays $5.9bn for US firm. Deutsche Telekom, which last month bought US mobile phone giant Voicestream for $50.7bn, snaps up another US operator. BBC, 29/08/00
     
133. Sonera in merger talks. Sonera, the Finnish telecoms operator, is in talks with about six international telecom groups as part of its search for a merger or partnership, its chief executive-in-waiting said. Financial Times, 29/08/00
     
134. Mobiles to show radiation risk. Mobile telephone manufacturers selling phones in the US will begin to label handsets with the level of radiation they emit, a practise expected to spread to Europe next spring. Financial Times, 29/08/00
     
135. The Atlantic/Verizon strike - It's Over! CWA Announces Path-Blazing Settlement Ending Verizon Strike by 37,000 Workers. 'This Agreement Secures the Future for Our Members at Verizon'. CWA
     
136. BT doubles phone box cost. Competition from mobile phones prompts BT to double minimum phone box charges, but consumer groups call for an investigation. BBC, 26/08/00
     
137. BT's credit rating downgraded. BBC, 26/08/00
     
138. Unions demand higher minimum wage. UK unions call for a £5 minimum wage, claiming its current level has had little impact on the economy. BBC, 26/08/00
     
139. Gambling on mobile licences. Telecom companies are paying over the odds for third generation mobile phone licences - will the gamble pay off? BBC, 26/08/00
     
140. Vodafone debt to fall below £14.5bn. Vodafone, the world's largest mobile phone group, said that it expected net debt to amount to between £13bn and £14.5bn by the end of September, its half-year end. Financial Times, 26/08/00
     
141. Tighter controls on phone masts. A move to make all new ground-based mobile phone masts subject to planning permission is unveiled by the Scottish Executive. BBC, 26/08/00
     
142. Eight bid for Italy phone licences. The battle for Italy's 3G mobile phone operations has begun, with eight companies vying for five new licenses. BBC, 26/08/00
     
143. Update on Negotiations Between CWA and Verizon - Verizon Strike Continues for 37,000 CWA Workers in Mid-Atlantic Area. CWA, 12:15am, 21 August, 2000
     
144. End in sight for 15-day strike by Verizon staff. Veriizon Communications, the leading US local and wireless telephone company, has voiced relief that an end is in sight for the 15-day strike by 87,000 staff. Financial Times, 21/08/00
     
145. The Financial Times commented: The agreement has wide-ranging implications for the high-tech sector as it is the first time US organised labour has made significant inroads into a new economy workplace. 21/08/00
     
146. Verizon set for deal with union. Financial Times, 21/08/00
     
147. USA: VERIZON STRIKE NEARS END, PACT WITH SOME UNIONS. Financial Times, 21/08/00
     
148. USA: UPDATE 3-VERIZON REACHES PACT WITH MOST UNION GROUPS. Financial Times, 21/08/00
     
149. US telecoms strike deal near. Intensive talks are going on through the weekend aimed at settling a labour dispute that threatens America's biggest telephone company. BBC, 21/08/00
     
150. AT&T/BT merger denied. The possibility of a merger of British Telecommunications and AT&T in the short term was played down on Friday by people close to the two companies. Financial Times, 21/08/00
     
151. BT and AT&T 'explore merger'. A transatlantic telecoms giant could be in the making, as the bosses of British Telecom and AT&T reportedly talk about merger options. BBC, 21/08/00
     
152. Energis seen as likely bidder for Thus. The Herald, 21/08/00
     
153. German phone auction bonanza. The auction of Germany 's mobile phone licences ends with six bidders paying a total of 50.5bn euros ($46.1bn, £30bn). BBC, 21/08/00
     
154. Telecoms firms caught in costs spiral. Telecoms operators face a tough time making their investments in mobile licences and infrastructure pay but the costs could be passed on to consumers. BBC, 21/08/00
     
155. BT buys German mobile firm. British Telecom takes control of Germany's Viag Interkom, paying 6.6bn euros (£4bn) to double its 45% stake. BBC, 21/08/00
     
156. Spy in your pocket. The next generation of mobile phones will make it easier for police to spy on citizens, say civil liberty campaigners. BBC, 16/08/00
     
157. Victory for phone mast protesters. A mobile phone company scraps plans for a mast after a campaign by irate residents. BBC, 16/08/00
     
158. Adult online learning 'first'. Norway is claiming a world first with nationwide internet-based adult learning. BBC, 16/08/00
     
159. Germany in line to award 5 mobile licences. Germany is likely to award five third-generation mobile telephone licences when its auction comes to an end, after two of the six bidders remaining in the race chose to pursue the smallest of the two licence types on offer. Financial Times, 16/08/00
     
160. KSCL sold to Telesens in merger deal. The Herald, 15/08/00
     
161. German 3G mobile licence auction bids near $37bn. The auction of Germany's third-generation mobile telephone licences neared DM80bn ($37bn) on Monday night, as bids swept past the previous record of £22.5bn ($33.75bn) raised by the UK in April. Financial Times, 15/08/00
     
162. Telefónica bids for Sonera. Telefónica, the Spanish telecommunications group, has joined the list of potential buyers for Finnish mobile phone operator Sonera. Financial Times, 15/08/00
     
163. Orange in regulator's line of fire. Mobile telecoms groups Orange and Sonera were in hot water with the German phone regulator yesterday after it emerged that the two companies may have had informal merger talks. Guardian, 15/08/00
     
164. Orange dials up data. Orange is beefing up the data handling abilities of its mobile phone network in a bid to capture customers before the arrival of third generation services. BBC, 15/08/00
     
165. Verizon offers unions revised contract. Verizon Communications, the largest telephone company in the US, offered a revised contract to its striking unions on Sunday and said it was hopeful that the new version would be accepted, ending the week-long walkout. Financial Times, 15/08/00
     
166. Telia wins battle over NetCom. Tele Danmark and US partner SBC Communications conceded defeat in the battle for control of NetCom, Norway's second largest mobile operator, by accepting an offer for its 40 per cent stake by Swedish rival Telia. Financial Times, 15/08/00
     
167. NTT web deal gets US go-ahead. A US review panel has satisfied itself that the purchase of a US internet service provider by Japan's NTT will not present a security risk. BBC, 15/08/00
     
168. "Excell boss looks to rosier future". Allegations of staff mismanagement threatened to engulf the company. Sunday Herald, 30/07/00
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169. BT considers demerging network. British telecommunications giant BT is considering a demerger of its heavily regulated UK network to concentrate on retail and overseas business. BBC 31/07/00
     
170. BT considers demerging network (BBC News) Monday July 31
     
171. NTL takes over Virgin ISP. Fast growing cable firm NTL becomes the UK's third biggest internet service provider following a deal with Virgin Group. BBC 31/07/00
     
172. Orange to choose cable operator NTL in 3G move. Orange, the UK mobile phone operator, will announce on Monday it has chosen NTL, the cable operator, to build part of its third generation mobile phone network. Financial Times 31/07/00
     
173. A&L's new team tries to charm City. Alliance & Leicester tried to convince the City yesterday that it had a coherent long-term strategy, pledging to boost its share of the small business market and win more current account customers. Guardian 31/07/00
     
174. Germany poised for auction. The auction for third-generation mobile phone licences in Germany, Europe's largest telecoms market, begins on Monday. Although only seven groups are bidding for up to six licences, the competition is expected to be fierce. Financial Times 31/07/00
     
175. Germany to start mobile auctions. Germany starts its auction of mobile licences on Monday as observers say it is unlikely to raise as much cash as originally hoped. BBC 31/07/00
     
176. Vodafone defends pay package. Mobile phone giant Vodafone Airtouch defends its controversial bonus scheme at the firm's annual general meeting. BBC, 27/07/00
     
177. BT profits continue fall. British Telecom reports profits down 27% as it says it has been hit by competition and the cost of new mobile phone licences. BBC, 27/07/00
     
178. BT considers spinning off network - FT (Reuters) 27/07/00
     
179. BT PROFITS SLUMP 27 PER CENT. BT's pre-tax profits for the first quarter of this year were down to £561m. The company's chairman, Sir Iain Vallance, said earnings have been hit by the "interest and goodwill costs of our acquisitions, as well as continuing competition in our traditional UK market." BT, 27/07/00
     
180. CALL CENTRES STRIKE THREAT LOOMS. A repeat of last year's crippling CWU-led strike at BT call centres is being threatened if the company continues to renege on an agreement to improve conditions for operators. The union will ballot members if BT does not abide by the Best Practice strategy. CWU, 27/07/00
     
181. Telekom hit by mobile costs. Deutsche Telekom profits drop as it pays the cost of attracting new mobile phone subscribers. BBC, 27/07/00
     
182. AOL, NTT DoCoMo 'in talks'. America Online is reported to be in talks which might lead to a global alliance with Japan's NTT DoCoMo, targeting the wireless internet market BBC, 27/07/00
     
183. Vodafone sorry as investors protest bonus (Reuters) 27/07/00
     
184. Vodafone gets the message. Guardian, 27/07/00
     
185. A&L's new team tries to charm City. Alliance & Leicester tried to convince the City yesterday that it had a coherent long-term strategy, pledging to boost its share of the small business market and win more current account customers. Guardian, 27/07/00
     
186. Pru wins TUC pension scheme. Guardian, 27/07/00
     
187. Virgin and NTL to split venture - FT (Reuters)
     
188. CWA Members Overwhelmingly Vote Strike Authorization at Bell Atlantic. CWA, 27/07/00
     
189. Eduardo Diaz's many friends and colleagues in CWA and around the world were shocked by news that the union's international affairs director, age 41, died of an apparent heart attack July 18 while attending a conference in Edinburgh, Scotland. CWA, 27/07/00
     
     

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190. The Critchley Labels Dispute: what is a "techno-strike"?
     
     
191. Marketing Trade Unions - a Manual by Allen Pascoe
     
192. What are Interest-Based Negotiations? New Zealand trade unionist Allen Pascoe explains what they are and why we should be interested in them.
     
193. Monopoly and Competition in British Telecommunications by John Harper. The former Director of BT's Inland Division defends the record of publicly owned telecommunications. Reproduced with permission from his recent book.
     

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194. "Return of the Job Killers" - and we thought we knew the meaning of 'convergence'.... (published in May/June, 1996, Scottish Trade Union Review )
     
195. "Communications, Computing and Broadcasting" - Digits and Jobs: a severe case of compression (published March/April, 1996, Trade Union News)
     
196. "Organising on The Internet!" - threats and challenges facing telecommunications workers, and some new(?) organising ideas (published in February/March, 1996, Focus - magazine of the Communications Workers Union )
     
197. "Wired, Weird and Wonderful - Thomas Paine and the Internet" - some thoughts following an article in WIRED magazine (published in Focus, (CWU) and Scottish Trade Union Review, 1995)
     

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198. About This Site
     
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