The prospect of more redundancies in the telecommunications maintenance industry has raised fears that skilled workers in the sector will leave for Australia.
The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union says Telecom contractor Transfield is considering laying off about 150 staff.
Transfield's announcement follows a proposal by a second Telecom contractor, Visionstream, to make workers independent contractors, and the announcement of plans by another operator in the sector, Downer EDI Works, to put staff on piece rates.
The union says many of its members are looking to take up opportunities in Australia.
It says Transfield's proposed redundancies are the result of the company playing off contractors to drive down prices.
Transfield says the telecommunications industry is undergoing significant change and the company needs to adapt to stay ahead.
But the union is calling on the Government to step in to ensure New Zealand's telecommunications network is sustainable.
Workers for other Telecom contractors have been taking industrial action over moves to make them independent contractors or be paid piece rates.
