Menu
13/08/2001
Consignia moves to centralise call centres
Consignia is to rationalise its call centre operations in a bid to streamline all the company’s call handling operations.
As part of a rationalisation plan Consignia is understood to be poised to shed some 250 jobs as the company closes call centres in an attempt to cut operating costs.
The plan will see the bulk of the company’s UK call centres close with the work centralised in new super centres, one of which will be located in Belfast. The new super call centres will draw together all calls made to Parcelforce, Royal Mail, and the Post Office.
The move was widely expected on the back of the company’s last financial results posted in June. While sales climbed almost £6 billion to reach £8.1 billion, pre-tax profit dropped by £371 million to £103 million before exceptional items.
This fell far short of the government target of £260 million and cuts have been anticipated in Consignia’s operations to bring the company back on track.
The poor results were attributed to a slow down in the volume of mail handled which had dropped almost 0.7 per cent reflecting increased competition from e-mail, the internet, and text messaging.
With the results well below the expected and below the government target, Consignia have embarked on a productivity drive to reduce operating costs. However, these have already run into resistance from unions as Consignia were attempting to reduce overtime and introduce greater flexibility.
While Consignia say that workers where possible will be offered relocation or other jobs within Consignia, Unions have pledged to fight the jobs cuts. (SP)
As part of a rationalisation plan Consignia is understood to be poised to shed some 250 jobs as the company closes call centres in an attempt to cut operating costs.
The plan will see the bulk of the company’s UK call centres close with the work centralised in new super centres, one of which will be located in Belfast. The new super call centres will draw together all calls made to Parcelforce, Royal Mail, and the Post Office.
The move was widely expected on the back of the company’s last financial results posted in June. While sales climbed almost £6 billion to reach £8.1 billion, pre-tax profit dropped by £371 million to £103 million before exceptional items.
This fell far short of the government target of £260 million and cuts have been anticipated in Consignia’s operations to bring the company back on track.
The poor results were attributed to a slow down in the volume of mail handled which had dropped almost 0.7 per cent reflecting increased competition from e-mail, the internet, and text messaging.
With the results well below the expected and below the government target, Consignia have embarked on a productivity drive to reduce operating costs. However, these have already run into resistance from unions as Consignia were attempting to reduce overtime and introduce greater flexibility.
While Consignia say that workers where possible will be offered relocation or other jobs within Consignia, Unions have pledged to fight the jobs cuts. (SP)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 July 2001
Safety Council course calls time on call centre practices
The British Safety Council, one of the world’s leading independent health, safety and environmental organisations, is set to introduce new training in a bid to make Northern Ireland’s call centres safer.
Safety Council course calls time on call centre practices
The British Safety Council, one of the world’s leading independent health, safety and environmental organisations, is set to introduce new training in a bid to make Northern Ireland’s call centres safer.
06 February 2006
Consumers angered by poor service
British consumers are angered by shoddy customer service and unrelenting sales pitches, a report has revealed. The report by the National Consumer Council suggested that businesses were over-promising and under-delivering, treated customers in a "clinical and patronising way" and were "incapable" of getting the basics rights.
Consumers angered by poor service
British consumers are angered by shoddy customer service and unrelenting sales pitches, a report has revealed. The report by the National Consumer Council suggested that businesses were over-promising and under-delivering, treated customers in a "clinical and patronising way" and were "incapable" of getting the basics rights.
13 May 2004
Union urges abused shopworkers to speak out
Too many shopworkers suffer in silence against persistent anti-social behaviour, violence, threats and abuse, according to the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw).
Union urges abused shopworkers to speak out
Too many shopworkers suffer in silence against persistent anti-social behaviour, violence, threats and abuse, according to the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw).
14 June 2002
Binning of Consignia sparks call for all-island service
SDLP spokesperson on Employment, John Dallat MLA, has said the announcement by Consignia to cut 17,000 jobs UK wide was further evidence for the need to create an all-island postal service.
Binning of Consignia sparks call for all-island service
SDLP spokesperson on Employment, John Dallat MLA, has said the announcement by Consignia to cut 17,000 jobs UK wide was further evidence for the need to create an all-island postal service.
14 January 2004
Abbey axes call centres but invests in Belfast
Abbey has announced today that two of its call centres are to close by the end of October this year which will see around 400 jobs axed. However, sites at Belfast, Bradford, Glasgow, Milton Keynes and Sheffield will receive a £25 million three-year investment in IT, training and the working environment.
Abbey axes call centres but invests in Belfast
Abbey has announced today that two of its call centres are to close by the end of October this year which will see around 400 jobs axed. However, sites at Belfast, Bradford, Glasgow, Milton Keynes and Sheffield will receive a £25 million three-year investment in IT, training and the working environment.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Bright spells with a few showers continuing through this evening. Some drier, clearer periods in the early hours, before cloud builds and showers turn more persistent towards dawn. Minimum temperature 4 °C.
