Deutsche Telekom (DT) has dismissed claims that its restructuring could affect a third of its employees.

German trade union, Ver.di, said Thursday that the incumbent’s “spin off plans” could hit up to 61,400 of its employees, 15,000 more than announced. DT said the figures were speculative and “pure invention”.DT restructuring will see some of the company’s services, including call centres, broken off into separate business units – a move expected to be finalised next week.

But the trade union has rounded on DT, arguing that another 13,000 jobs could be affected if the plans go ahead. Ver.di will be holding a protest against the plans in Bonn next week.