Vodafone plans to cut 130 jobs

Vodafone will seek to cut its staff numbers by 130 following a review of its business.

The company told its 1,200-strong workforce about the plan earlier today and launched a consultation with employees and their trade union.

The consultation will finish at the end of August, with Vodafone hopeful of achieving its staff-reduction target through a mix of voluntary redundancy and early retirement.

The move comes a week after the resolution of a pay claim brought to the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) by Vodafone staff union the Communications Workers' Union (CWU).

The LRC recommended that Vodafone pay a portion of its staff a pay increase next year and in 2012, while the remainder would be eligible for salary reviews in 2011. In return, the CWU agreed to engage with Vodafone on changes within the company, which has come under some pressure from reduced consumer spending.

Francesco Bianco, human resources director at Vodafone Ireland said the job cuts would help the firm to operate more efficiently.

"We believe that these reductions can be achieved through voluntary redundancy and early retirement and remain committed to engaging with our employees and providing as much help and support as is necessary throughout this process," Mr Bianco said.