UNION leaders are calling for top level negotiations with mobile phone giant Orange after it sacked more than 40 staff for circulating obscene material on its computer systems.

The ITSC union claims that the decision last week to dismiss call centre staff at Darlington, Peterlee and Hertford has created a "climate of fear and anxiety" and has called for talks.

Orange, however, does not recognise unions and says it would prefer to talk to its staff directly.

But under new legislation, which came into force this week, workers have the right to demand that they are represented by a union official at disciplinary hearings.

The ITSC says it has been inundated with calls from anxious members at Orange in connection with the disciplinary action by the company.

It has now arranged an emergency meeting at Darlington's Dolphin Centre from 7.30pm tonight for people to air their views and receive legal advice.

ITSC organiser Heather Meldrum said: "Thankfully the new employment legislation which came into force on Monday will allow our members the legal right to be represented at disciplinary hearings.

"This means that full-time union officials, who are highly experienced in industrial relations, can accompany our members and represent them.

"If the company allowed proper negotiations with us we are sure we could resolve this issue."

A spokeswoman for Orange said: "Orange prefers to communicate with its staff directly rather than through a third party.

"We have established very effective procedures for communications with all levels of employment throughout the company and aim to ensure that the management team is aware of employee's views on all matters of policy.

"Orange is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable working environment for all its employees.

"It sees its responsibilities to its staff as a priority and will continue to develop positive and open relationships."

Hundreds of people are understood to have been interviewed by Orange in connection with the alleged misuse of its e-mail and Internet system.