Here they go again...

Readers of my diary from several years ago may, or may not, be surprised with this announcement, from tonight's Evening Telegraph...

Up to 90 Dundee jobs threatened

Nearly 90 workers look set to lose their jobs at a Dundee call centre unless a last minute deal can be struck (writes Katie Smyth).

Frantic talks are under way in a bid to save as many of the jobs as possible at Sitel, the global outsourcing company whose clients include telecoms giant BT. Stunned employees were informed on Saturday that Sitel’s clients had recently reviewed their call centre staffing requirements and have decided to drastically cut back. Sitel currently employs some 550 personnel at the centre, at Dundee Technology Park. A spokesman for the company today confirmed the possible redundancies. “Sitel has announced with regret that the jobs of some workers at its Dundee site have been placed at risk of redundancy, as result of an activity by key client BT, whose business is handled by the site,” he told the Tele. “It is envisaged up to 90 workers may lose their jobs.” Now, in an effort to reduce the loss, Sitel is in talks with employees’ union — the Communication Workers Union. “In conjunction with the Communication Workers Union, which is aware of BT’s business review, Sitel is now conducting a 90-day consultation period with the affected workers, and will endeavour to redeploy as many employees as possible across the rest of the business,” the spokesman added. “Additionally, some workers may be eligible to transfer to roles within BT.” It is understood the under-threat jobs are not just short-term contracts, but those of permanent staff members too. Learning of the redundancies today, West End councillor Fraser Macpherson said, “Obviously, it’s very concerning to hear about possible redundancies. “Hopefully, steps can be taken to minimise these losses, especially in these challenging economic times.” Sitel’s Riverside House facility was originally opened as a BT call centre in the late 1990s. At its peak, the call centre employed upwards of 800 personnel. Ranked in the top 50 business process outsourcing companies in the world, Sitel services 60,000 associates in 27 countries, with the Dundee branch concentrating heavily on handling BT calls.