TELECOM Eireann has been accused of the "secretive and selective introduction of personal contracts" for staff. The general secretary of the Association of
Higher Civil Servants, Mr Sean O Riordain, described the practice as "restricting individual and collective trade union rights".
About 20 of the company's senior managers, on salaries of between £30,000 and £40,000, are understood to have accepted personal contracts.
The former chairman of the Labour Court, Mr Kevin Heffernan, is understood to be reviewing the situation after both sides referred the issue to the court.
Mr O Riordain said the changes would prove "wholly counterproductive to the spirit of partnership with trade unions, which the Government and the company need if necessary changes are to be achieved".
The association represents management grades in Telecom Eireann, established civil servants who are not obliged to accept personal contracts. The company and the union have been trying to negotiate changes in the existing pay structures which would provide for performance related bonuses and fringe benefits.
In the latest AHCS Newsletter sent to members yesterday, the union said "subscribers to personal contracts are on their own".
A spokesman for Telecom said he was "surprised and disappointed that the union is commenting on the matter when it is being dealt with through a nominee of the Labour Court. The company is simply putting in place arrangements that are standard across industries operating in a competitive environment."
