200 jobs to go at Barclaycard call centre
AROUND 200 North West jobs are set to be cut at credit card company Barclaycard, as call centre roles are shifted overseas.
The company, part of banking giant Barclays, is cutting 285 jobs nationwide, but the bulk of the roles affected, 197, are at its site at Wavertree Technology Park in Liverpool.
Barclaycard said it would attempt to redploy those affected to other bases in the Liverpool area, and insisted that Barclays group would retain the Watertree site – its lease has just been exteneded until 2023.
A statement said: “It’s impossible at this stage to say how many jobs may be affected. Although some 197 colleagues have been spoken to in Wavertree, the plans are subject to a consultation period and there are expected to be opportunities for redeployment.
“It is also intended that some Barclaycard colleagues will transfer to the business’ key centre in the North West, at Kirkby.”
It said the proposed changes were being made as part of Barclaycard’s “ongoing programme of improving day-to-day operational efficiency” so that it can re-invest in continuing to deliver good value products to its customers.
Rob MacGregor, national officer at the trade union Unite said: “At this time of economic uncertainty why isn’t this UK finance company doing all it can support its workforce in the UK, not telling them their work will now be done in India.
“Unite will now be challenging Barclays to ensure that the bank offers redeployment opportunities for all those impacted by the decision.”
