04 September 2008

Thomas Cook to shut Glasgow call centre

Almost 160 staff will be affected by plans by Thomas Cook to shut its call centre in Glasgow.

The company plans to relocate and combine functions in Falkirk, Peterborough and tour operating offices in Bradford in a bid to save Ã&#pound;1 million a year.

The company has entered into a 90-day consultation period with the 158 employees involved.

Thomas Cook said it will ââ¬Åâœwork closely with them in order to retain as many people as possibleââ¬~.

The majority of moves are due to be completed by the end of the year.

The company said the ââ¬Åâœreasonable commuting distanceââ¬~ of approximately 23 miles would allow those in sales roles the ability to transfer to Falkirk.

There will also be opportunities to expand the groupââ¬â¢s homeworking network.

The proposals affect Teletext, Panorama, Manos, Direct Holidays and Style sales centre operations plus credit control functions based in Granite House, Glasgow.

The closure has been announced following a review of the Glasgow and Falkirk sites which found that both have low occupancy of 35% and 60% respectively.

The review found that by combining the operations the company would ââ¬Åâœrealise synergies in excess of Ã&#pound;1 million per annumââ¬~.

Thomas Cook holidays division executive director  Pete Constanti said: ââ¬ÅâœWe have a highly-skilled and successful team of travel professionals in Glasgow and we want to keep as many as possible by offering a variety of suitable alternative sales roles including transfers and redeployment opportunities in our Falkirk Sales Centre and by expanding our homeworking network.

ââ¬ÅâœWe are absolutely committed to helping them make the best personal choice from options available to them and are very hopeful of achieving a high level of retention, should the proposals go ahead.

ââ¬ÅâœWe are equally committed to the long term success of the tour operator brands currently supported by the Glasgow-based sales teams. We continue to invest heavily in their development, marketing and positioning.ââ¬~

by Phil Davies

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• Management Jobs at Stellar UK
  
  

  We at Stellar UK were sorry to hear the news that you are closing down the Call Centre in Glasgow. We would like to support you at this time and let you know that we have various management vacancies and staff can get in touch by either calling me on 01294 225300 or by visiting our website at www.stellarbpo.co.uk

  By Sandra Ainsworth, Monday, September 8, 2008
• At Least TC Keeps Jobs in UK
  
  

  It is somewhat comforting to know that these jobs haven't been exported to India or some equally distant place. One question: Is the word 'synergy' the latest buzz word for economies or savings? Unfortunately staff won't realise many 'synergies' if they have to commute to a distant office with today's fuel costs.

  By Jon Hewson, Friday, September 5, 2008
• Sorry to hear of closure
  
  

  We are sorry to hear of this closure following in the heels of Direct Holidays and TUI call centres. We would like to help any staff who are displaced as we may have some vacancies. See http://www.barrheadtravel.co.uk/jobs/

  By Mark Brock, Thursday, September 4, 2008