BT confirms closure of Alness call centre early next year

A call centre employing about 100 people in Alness is to close early next year, the BT Group has said.

The telecommunications giant said about 90% of the workers had opted to accept enhanced severance terms.

It added that a "very small number" of individuals were still in consultation over their options.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said BT had rejected its counter proposal to save the jobs by offering home working.

The union has asked for a further meeting on the closure of the site on Alness' Teaninich Industrial Estate.

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A BT Group spokesperson said: "Following a thorough consultation process with colleagues and our partners at the Communication Workers Union, BT Group can confirm that it has taken the difficult decision to close its site in Alness early next year.

"This process included careful consideration of the CWU's counter-proposals, which unfortunately did not meet our business needs."

BT said it would continue to work closely with the CWU and external agencies, such as Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Partnership Action for Continuing Employment, to support employees in finding alternative roles.

The spokesperson added the company was committed to Scotland.

'Tailored approach'

CWU Scottish secretary Craig Anderson said the union was told on Monday the company was moving towards a site closure stage.

The telecommunications giant said last week its Alness site was part of proposals to consolidate desk-based workers into a smaller number of offices around the UK.

The CWU has put forward counter proposals based around the employees working from home.

The union said the loss of jobs at the call centre, where some have worked for 15 years, would have a damaging impact on a rural area.

Mr Anderson said BT's home working policy was three days in the office and two days at home.

He added a "tailored approach" should be applied to the Alness workforce due to its geographic location.

A cross-party of local MSPs - Ariane Burgess, Rhoda Grant and Maree Todd - have warned that job losses would have social and economic impacts on the local area.

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