More than 40 jobs are being cut at Sykes in Galashiels as company enters consultation period with employees
More than 40 jobs are being cut from Galashiels call centre Sykes, an employee has told ITV Border.Staff affected have been told their final day of work will be August 28th. Employees are currently working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic.
One member of staff, who has asked to remain anonymous, told ITV Border he's "devastated."He said, "It's come as a real shock. They told us on July 4th that 30 jobs between the Galashiels and Edinburgh sites would go. Only to be told a few weeks later that all jobs at the Gala site, 45 jobs, are going. "That means that office will essentially close completely. I'm devastated. We all are."
MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh, and Selkirk John Lamont says this will be a very anxious and uncertain time for those losing their jobs.
He says he wants to point anyone affected in the right direction to access the help and support they may need.
Sykes is a contact centre for multi-national clients. It handles calls and emails from customers of clients such as Sony and Motorola.
The employee explained to ITV Border that he doesn't blame Sykes, but the client Sykes had a contract with, which he says he cannot name."Sykes is just the middle man here," he said. "I don't blame them for cutting jobs, it's the client who decides at the end of the day.
"We've heard that people in other roles in the Edinburgh office are being trained up to do our jobs. Effectively condensing jobs to save money, which is really not on.
"We've been told we can apply for other roles but I'm not doing that."This latest news follows the decision by Ovo Energy in Selkirk to close its Ettrick Riverside call centre in May, putting almost 400 jobs at risk.
A spokesperson for Sykes said, "SYKES is responsive to the needs of the market and our clients in a constantly changing business landscape.
"The decision to make such changes is never easy. After careful review we have started consultation about a reduction in the contact centre workforce at our Galashiels site and at the same time we are seeking redeployment opportunities within the Company for the effected employees."