Wireless jobs will be cut in a huge reorganisation.

Representatives from the Bermuda Public Services Association are in negotiations with Cable and Wireless executives about the proposed job cuts.

One company insider told The Royal Gazette there could be as many as 25 positions cut out of the 114-strong workforce.

It is believed almost a quarter of the company's staff could lose their jobs.

Cable and Wireless are involved in a $100 million legal battle with Government, having lost about 25 percent of their market share last year.

The telecommunications giants lost their status as a monopoly provider of phone lines when Government opened the market to competition.

And new rivals, TeleBermuda International, are able to offer cheaper international calls because of Government protection to ease them into the market.

BPSA General Secretary Ed Ball said last night: "We are still having talks with Cable and Wireless. Our aim is to make sure that the staff needs are met and that the morale of the company returns to a workable level.

"But with regard to the number of redundancies which could be made, we still don't know.'' A spokesman for Cable and Wireless declined to comment on the state of negotiations or the number of jobs which could be cut, last night.

The firm issued a writ against the Telecommunications Minister E.T. (Bob) Richards last month.

Company bosses are angry that they have been stopped from lowering their prices until TBI has become established.

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