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250 jobs at risk at call centre 250 jobs at risk at call centre
(10 minutes later)
The call centre company Stream International has announced that 250 jobs are at risk due to the loss of a major contract.The call centre company Stream International has announced that 250 jobs are at risk due to the loss of a major contract.
Staff in Londonderry were briefed by management on Wednesday afternoon and it is understood the posts will be closed later this year.Staff in Londonderry were briefed by management on Wednesday afternoon and it is understood the posts will be closed later this year.
Stream provides support services for technology companies at two locations in the Waterside and Cityside areas.Stream provides support services for technology companies at two locations in the Waterside and Cityside areas.
A contract loss in February also led to some job losses.A contract loss in February also led to some job losses.
The company currently employs about 500 people in Derry.The company currently employs about 500 people in Derry.
Staff working on the contract that has been lost will be put on protective notice.Staff working on the contract that has been lost will be put on protective notice.
The company's managing director, Jeff Jennings, said these are "tough times for the call centre sector".The company's managing director, Jeff Jennings, said these are "tough times for the call centre sector".
"One of our contracts is moving. We're not closing the place down, we're staying in Derry and we're going to go after new business," he said."One of our contracts is moving. We're not closing the place down, we're staying in Derry and we're going to go after new business," he said.
"The commitment from the company is that they are going to stay in Derry, it's their UK location, we're not going to pull out of the UK."The commitment from the company is that they are going to stay in Derry, it's their UK location, we're not going to pull out of the UK.
"We've got clients visiting us in the next few weeks. Hopefully we can turn it around.""We've got clients visiting us in the next few weeks. Hopefully we can turn it around."
'Uncertainty''Uncertainty'
Following the meeting, workers outside the offices said they had been given the option of moving with the contract to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, but few were likely to take that option.Following the meeting, workers outside the offices said they had been given the option of moving with the contract to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, but few were likely to take that option.
"We've just been told somewhere between September and January, if there is no new business, they are going to start letting people go," said one employee."We've just been told somewhere between September and January, if there is no new business, they are going to start letting people go," said one employee.
SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey said people needed to focus on how jobs could be protected.SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey said people needed to focus on how jobs could be protected.
"There's going to be major job losses here, we could see up to 50% of the workforce going," he said."There's going to be major job losses here, we could see up to 50% of the workforce going," he said.
"We know from the staff that there is still uncertainty, there is still nervousness and apprehension as to what the future holds. "We know from the staff that there is still uncertainty, there is still nervousness and apprehension as to what the future holds."
"I am reassured to hear from the manager that he is intent in keeping the operation in the city and intent in securing other contracts. Sinn Fein assembly member Martina Anderson said she was extremely concerned at the news.
"He has agreed a meeting from an SDLP delegation over the next few days and I would hope to have discussions with the minister or senior officials at the department of enterprise, trade and investment to see what assistance we can give." "Only months ago we were welcoming Stream's announcement of 300 additional jobs with the promise of further expansion," she said.
"We can only hope that today's announcement will not be as severe as reports would indicate."