Union worries over Vodafone call centre closure

January 7th, 2011

Daisy

Union leaders voiced concerns today about the closure of a Vodafone call centre with the loss of 400 jobs.
The Communication Workers Union said the news, affecting the site at Banbury in Oxfordshire, followed earlier job cuts, a recruitment freeze and greater use of outsource companies.

Deputy general secretary Andy Kerr said: “Obviously, this is really bad news for staff working in the Banbury call centre, but this isn’t an isolated announcement.

“We’re particularly concerned by the growing use of outsource companies by Vodafone which inevitably have lower pay and conditions for staff. Coupled with the job losses, this adds up to a sustained slimming-down of Vodafone’s direct workforce.

“We’d like to see redeployment options for staff in Banbury, but clearly this may be difficult, given the locations of other Vodafone workplaces.

“Given the current Government’s emphasis on the private sector, we believe Vodafone has a role to play in providing secure, rewarding
jobs, not cutting and outsourcing.”

The centre at Banbury Business Park will close next year, the mobile phone giant announced.
Source : yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk