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Firm sheds 600 call centre jobs Firm sheds 600 call centre jobs
(about 4 hours later)
Barclaycard is to close its Manchester call centre and move some of the work to India with the loss of more than 600 jobs, it has announced.Barclaycard is to close its Manchester call centre and move some of the work to India with the loss of more than 600 jobs, it has announced.
The firm's base at Peterloo House will shut in July, with work moved to Mumbai and Delhi and to Teesside.The firm's base at Peterloo House will shut in July, with work moved to Mumbai and Delhi and to Teesside.
The restructuring will affect 630 workers, who will be paid until October to help them find other work.The restructuring will affect 630 workers, who will be paid until October to help them find other work.
The union Amicus said the closure was "totally inappropriate" for such a profitable firm.The union Amicus said the closure was "totally inappropriate" for such a profitable firm.
Staff at the city centre' s Dickinson Street call centre were told about the closure on Tuesday morning.Staff at the city centre' s Dickinson Street call centre were told about the closure on Tuesday morning.
Antony Jenkins, chief executive of Barclaycard, said: "Decisions like these are never easy and we will be doing everything we can to support those affected.Antony Jenkins, chief executive of Barclaycard, said: "Decisions like these are never easy and we will be doing everything we can to support those affected.
Opposition voiced 'Totally inappropriate'
"Barclaycard's business is becoming more global and to stay successful we must change how we operate to reflect this."Barclaycard's business is becoming more global and to stay successful we must change how we operate to reflect this.
"Unfortunately, closing our Peterloo House site in Manchester centre is part of that process.""Unfortunately, closing our Peterloo House site in Manchester centre is part of that process."
Amicus official Steve Pantak said it had voiced its opposition to the moves.Amicus official Steve Pantak said it had voiced its opposition to the moves.
He said: "At a time of increasing pressure on all staff in Barclaycard, we believe it to be totally inappropriate for this large and highly profitable employer to be announcing closures and job losses."He said: "At a time of increasing pressure on all staff in Barclaycard, we believe it to be totally inappropriate for this large and highly profitable employer to be announcing closures and job losses."
Mr Pantak said "robust agreements" were in place to help staff find other jobs.Mr Pantak said "robust agreements" were in place to help staff find other jobs.
'Major blow'
He added: "We believe that with such a large presence in the North West, Barclays should be able to accommodate all those staff who are displaced but wish to remain with them.He added: "We believe that with such a large presence in the North West, Barclays should be able to accommodate all those staff who are displaced but wish to remain with them.
"We will be pushing the bank hard to achieve this outcome.""We will be pushing the bank hard to achieve this outcome."
The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce said the cuts were a huge "blow" to the city.
Dr John Risk, the chamber's principal economic advisor, said: "Barclaycard is a major employer in the area and that the banking and financial sector is so strong here.
"The workforce will be understandably shocked by the news. It is vital that they are offered help to find other work."