Staff at a Consumer Advice Direct (CAD) call centre in Stornoway have received redundancy notices.
All 27 workers have received letters advising them that CAD have “decided to make them redundant” with effect from the end of March.
Consumer Advice Direct -
Flora Somerville, the local Unison branch organiser, said: “We understand that whilst
discussions are ongoing regarding a further one-
Stornoway call centre staff receive redundancy notices
20 January 2015
“Neither is it clear whether CAD would continue to operate from Stornoway should a further contract be negotiated.“
She added: “We appreciate that CAD have to abide by the legal requirements for redundancies however, we are disappointed with the insensitive tone and timing of their letter.
“The potential loss of 27 jobs from our already fragile local economy is unacceptable.
“Every effort must be made to ensure the future of the CAD service in Stornoway.”
In 2011, the call centre was estimated to be worth around £1.125 million to the local economy by creating jobs and buying local services.
Located at Gleann Seileach, Stornoway, Citizens Advice Direct handles consumer calls from all over Scotland and deals with hundreds of enquires each day. Regional development agency, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), invested over £400,000 in the premises with the view that the company would expand in the future.
HIE is believed to be in discussions with CAD about their intentions for the Stornoway call centre.
The call centre is now at the end of a four-
Western Isles Council had staged a coup in attracting the original Scottish call centre to the islands. The then Office of Fair Trading (OFT) awarded the contract, creating vital jobs.
At the time, Citizens Advice Direct said they were attracted to the Western Isles from Glasgow because of the “islands excellent reputation for business services” and high calibre personnel.
Citizens Advice Bureau said it would comment later.