O2

Welcome to the section of our website which is dedicated exclusively to serving the interests of our members in O2. This section is a resource designed to provide you with useful information and regular updates on issues which the CWU is pursuing on your behalf.

Telefónica O2 Ireland is one of the country’s leading mobile telecommunications companies and is owned by the Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica, which is one of the largest telecoms companies in the world.

The CWU has been representing O2 staff now for a number of years and most significantly was involved in concluding two major change agreements on behalf of staff when the company decided to outsource its Technology Department which led to O2 staff being transferred to both IBM and BT Ireland. Telefónica, which is headquartered in Spain, has signed a so-called “Global Agreement” with Union Network International (UNI) that commits the company to respecting various ILO Conventions on basic human rights, which include trade union membership and the right to collective representation. Despite engaging in collective representation with management on behalf of staff at the time of the technology outsourcing, the company has since refused to respect the Global Agreement or the basic human rights which are enshrined within it.

Nonetheless the CWU continues to represent its growing membership within O2 on an individual basis through the company’s internal procedures, while at all times being available to offer staff ongoing advice and guidance as the company continues to undergo a range of changes as it adapts to the increasingly competitive mobile market. In addition to this, the Union continues in its efforts to ensure that the company respects the Telefónica/UNI Global Agreement to ensure that the Irish staff working for O2 are treated with the same degree of respect as the rest of the O2 workers in other countries such as the UK, Germany and the Czech Republic.

The CWU is proud to represent O2 staff in the various business sections within the company and in particular enjoys a growing membership in the Customer Care Centre in Limerick as well as the Retail section within the company. The Union also has a number of members based in the Head Office operation based on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay.

O2 employee Brian Harney was elected to the National Executive Council of the CWU for the first time in 2008 and we re-elected in 2010.

Our aim is to develop this site to meet your needs so please let us know how this can best be achieved. Any ideas regarding the type of information that might be usefully provided are welcome.