OPS NOTE: Union leaders, MPs, politicians and Labour conference delegates to attend Liverpool BT jobs protest
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
24/09/2026
OPS NOTE: Union leaders, MPs, politicians and Labour conference delegates to attend Liverpool BT jobs protest
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) are directing press to a BT workers’ protest outside the security zone, near the Ferris Wheel, at Labour Party conference (Keel Wharf, Liverpool 3N 4FN) on Monday 28th September.
Attending the rally will be CWU General Secretary Dave Ward, CWU Deputy General Secretary Karen Rose, alongside scores of Labour MPs and delegates attending Labour Party conference and impacted CWU members.
The protest is urging BT Group to reconsider its decision to relocate hundreds of jobs out of its Liverpool site, in a move which the CWU – the union for BT workers – have previously warned will create uncertainty and disruption among a loyal workforce.
Around 600 employees are set to be hit by the plans, which will see workers being forced to commute to Manchester and Leeds to keep their jobs, while other roles will be cut entirely.
The jobs being impacted includes work from across BT’s remit, with everyone from 999 callers to Openreach workers.
One particular group of employees seriously affected by the announcement are relay services workers, who enable deaf people to communicate over the phone.
This highly skilled, specialised work is vital for enabling communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, and the CWU fear that this may be the beginning of the end for a service which has provided a lifeline for thousands of people across the country.
The protest will take place between 08:00 to 11:00, and union and workplace figures will be available for interview.
Commenting, CWU Deputy General Secretary Karen Rose said: “The plan put forward by BT will have a huge impact on our members, on the local economy and on the entire region.
“Despite some individuals opting to travel to alternative BT locations, they have also made it clear to us that this is a decision they have been forced into so that they can retain their employment.
“Unfortunately, BT has rejected our alternative proposals and as yet have not accepted the political leaders’ offer to work with them to explore other options.
“Consultations are ongoing and we are supporting our local branches and members in their campaign to remain working for BT in Liverpool.”
Supporting the campaign, Labour MP Kim Johnson – whose constituency includes the site – said: “There is no sugar coating how atrocious these proposals are.
“In suggesting this move, BT Group are signalling that employees who have been loyally committed to them are completely expendable, and that the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing customers are secondary.
“This move can’t be right, and BT must think clearly about the damage it will do to a workforce, a community and a region.
“I urge them to reconsider these suggestions, and to work with the CWU for an option that benefits all.”
ENDS
For more information, please contact CWU Press Officer Marcus Barnett at mbarnett@cwu.org