DOZENS of workers on a lunchtime protest in Blackburn warned their employer "Don't say goodbye to our jobs".
The Communication Workers' Union organised a demonstration outside British Telecom's Jubilee Street centre, which employs about 200 staff.
It was part of a national day of action to oppose the company's plans to create two call centres in India.
The protest was manned by shifts of workers in their lunch breaks carrying placards and handing out leaflets to passers-by.
BT plans to open two directory enquiries centres in Bangalore and New Delhi, employing 500 people this month and 2,200 by April 2004.
The company says the centres in India are needed to cut costs and remain competitive after deregulation of the industry.
It has pledged no British posts will be axed and said the Blackburn centre, which deals with repairs, operator services and billing, will be unaffected.
Engineer Ray Neary, who has worked for BT in Preston for 15 years, said: "I decided to come over to join the protest because we need to be united against any threat to jobs.
A worker at the Blackburn centre, who would not be named, said: "Everyone's worried about their job security." The union has said it will not rule out industrial action if BT refuses to consider its plans.
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