11/10/2010

CWU Blasts Vodafone Layoffs

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) is continuing to express concerns over Vodafone's announcement that it will close its Banbury call centre with the loss of 400 jobs locally. This comes on top of job losses earlier in the year, a recruitment freeze and greater use of outsource companies.

Andy Kerr, CWU Deputy General Secretary, said: "Obviously this is really bad news for staff working in the Banbury call centre, but this isn't an isolated announcement. In March Vodafone announced 375 job losses and since then there's been a recruitment freeze and continuous attrition as people leave the business.

"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. Are we going to see a situation where Vodafone is little more than a brand with an arms-length relationship with staff, services and customers?

"Our members are seeking assurances from the company about the situation in Banbury. 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," he said.

(BMcC/KMcA)

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