The future's bleak for 300 jobs at Orange as call centre staff axed

MOBILE phone giant Orange delivered a new year "bombshell" to staff yesterday by announcing plans to close a call centre with the loss of 300 jobs.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said staff at the site in Bristol broke down in tears after being told the grim news in a meeting with managers.

The company had to close the centre for the day because workers were so shocked and upset, according to the union.

A union spokesman said: "This bombshell is a betrayal of a loyal and hard-working workforce.

"People have struggled into work through appalling weather only to be told they are losing their jobs.

"We don't know if there will be any chance of deploying to other centres, but the nearest Orange call centre is in Plymouth."

The CWU said there had been rumours of job losses ahead of yesterday's meeting.

An Orange spokesman said: "As part of our strategy to improve, grow and evolve the company, we are continually looking at ways to ensure we are operating in the most efficient way.

"As such, we have been reviewing our building strategy and are proposing not to renew the lease for Keypoint, one building on our office campus in Bristol.

"The affected staff will be relocated to other Orange buildings in Bristol, relevant to the division of the business they work for.

"However, with no other service operation in Bristol, staff from that division will be offered an opportunity to apply for work in our other service centres."