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Job losses feared at Keith Prowse
07.05.10
by Eamonn MacDermott, Inishowen Independent
‘A bloody nightmare,’ was how one worker at the
Keith Prowse Call Centre described the outlook for
staff as fears grow for the future of the ticket
call centre in Lisfannon.
Employees at the centre, which employs more than 100
people, say that they were told last week that there
would be between 15 and 20 lay-offs and the
remaining staff would face a reduction in hours.
One worker said: “This is a bloody nightmare. We
were aware that the volume of calls was down and we
have accepted a three-day week, but we have no human
resources department since the HR manager left last
year and we have no union. No one is answering our
questions.”
To add to the workers' concerns, they were due to be
paid on Friday last but were told that there would
be a delay until Tuesday. However, when contacted
yesterday they said there was still nothing in their
bank accounts. |
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Directors at Keith
Prowse’s London headquarters were unavailable for
comment on Wednesday. The company’s chief executive
Paul Burns, a native of Fahan, was stranded at
Belfast Airport due to the volcanic ash disruption
and was unable to respond to |
queries raised.
However, the Inishowen Independent understands that
the workers at the centre have been on reduced hours
since February last year and they have also faced
wage cuts ranging from 10% to 20%.
The company relocated its ticketing outlet to
Lisfannon in 2002 and was responsible for the sale
of theatre, entertainment and attraction tickets,
together with customised tour packages for travel
operators.
The centre is located in the Lisfannon Business Park
in a facility previously occupied by Fruit of the
Loom and provided to the company by Donegal County
Council.
*Meanwhile, it has been reported that a further 20
jobs are at risk at a call centre in Derry.
Outsource company Gem said the jobs had been put at
risk because two clients had decided not to renew
their contracts. |
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