C&W's 'union busters' spark fury

Cable & Wireless is this weekend refusing to comment on accusations by the Communications Workers Union (CWU) that it has been "irresponsible" in employing the services of "the notorious American firm of 'union busters', The Burke Group".

The Burke Group describes itself as specialising in "union avoidance and preventative industrial labor relations". A CWU spokesman says the British union fears that Cable & Wireless may employ The Burke Group to use "scare tactics", which would take the form of aggressive public relations aimed at ordinary employees "that we would not have the opportunity to redress".

CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said the union was keen to build a positive relationship with C&W, but: "We urge the business to dispense with the services of The Burke Group."

The CWU is seeking recognition of the union's 330-strong UK Field Services workforce and is due to present its case to the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) in London this week.