Hundreds of Black Country jobs at risk as British Gas drops closure bombshell
HUNDREDS of jobs are under threat in the Black Country following a shock announcement by British Gas parent Centrica that it intends closing a major call centre operation in Oldbury.
The Centrica operation, at Swallowfield One, off Wolverhampton Road, is likely to bear the brunt of the redundancies.
The company has blamed the move on the need to remain competitive in a tough market.
Union leaders have condemned the move for the impact it will both on its members and the local economy.
Following a wide-ranging strategic review last summer, Centrica announced a group-wide efficiency programme in order to remain competitive in the fast-changing energy market.
“British Gas Services, like all parts of Centrica, is implementing this strategy and is proposing to make a reduction of 684 office-based roles. The proposals include the closure of the British Gas Oldbury office, as part of the company’s plan to consolidate its operations on fewer sites,” said the firm in a statement.
Staff at the building have been notified and are now in a 45-day consultation process over redundancies.
If closure is confirmed then the company said it would explore redeployment opportunities for the people whose roles are affected.
An operation in Erdington is a possible haven, however, in all probability most will lose their jobs.
Claire Miles, Managing Director of Customer Operations, said: “I recognise that today’s announcement represents difficult news for our employees who may be affected. Our priority now is to support all those potentially impacted, and to ensure a fair and transparent consultation process, working with our people and their representatives.”
Unite regional co-ordinating officer Paresh Patel said the announcement was a “hammer blow” for the Oldbury workforce.
“Unite’s position is that we need to do what we can to keep this site open and the 45-day consultation process will provide us with a platform to hear about the proposals in more detail and also to put forward alternative solutions. British Gas remains a highly profitable company,” he said.
“British Gas is looking at relocating its Oldbury operation between three other sites; Erdington, Leicester and Stockton. The plan is to create further roles at these three sites, making those ‘centres of excellence’, but most people may not want to relocate.”
“The majority of roles under threat relate to call centre workers and office staff.
“While our membership is predominantly based amongst the field operative group, who work across the UK, we will do all that we can to support those members who may be affected by this announcement.”
