December 5, 2000 10:31: Call centre workers in Bromley have accused their bosses of deception after a new bonus scheme may slash as much as a third from their pay packets.

A group of 15 workers from TV Travel Shop, Homesdale Road, contacted the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) after the management reportedly told them their rate of commission was to be reduced.

The 350 disgruntled workers had been called in to a meeting where a letter from the managing director Tony Wheble was read out telling them the bad news.

They said they were livid about the decision by the company, which sells holidays from digital TV channels, as it could mean a drop in their wages by as much as £200 a month.

TSSA senior organiser, Manuel Cortes, said: The workers came to us in desperation after they found out what was going to happen.

To check how much money they will lose, we intend to carry out a survey on their wages.

He added: At the moment there is no union recognition here and staff have to rely upon an unelected company focus group which is not helping them with their grievances.

A call centre salesman, who did not want named, said: When the company advertised my job it said I could be earning up to £26,000 a year.

But with the way things are going, Ill be lucky to pull in £15,000 a year.

Human resource director for the company, Maureen McGrory, denied the members of the focus were unelected.

She said: We do not control how much the workers or how little they earn above the basic salary of £12,000.

As the travel business is affected by the seasons, targets are adjusted throughout the year to reflect the demand for holidays.