PRESS RELEASE
September 9th, 2009

T-Mobile job worry

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has called on T-Mobile bosses to end the uncertainty and rumours surrounding the possible impact the proposed merger with Orange could have on jobs.

The MSP has written to T-Mobile management urging better communication with nearly 1,000 workers fearing for their jobs at the Greenock centre.

Mr McNeil also pointed to the high-level of skills at the Greenock T-Mobile centre as evidence the workforce should be retained.

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil said: "There has been nervousness for some time among the workforce at T-Mobile about the company’s future and given the uncertainty over this proposed merger, it is still not clear yet whether this deal is going to be good news or bad news for these employees.

“What is clear is that we have a motivated and skilled workforce who are experienced in dealing with high-end call centre services and I have written to T-Mobile to emphasise this crucial point.

“The least these workers deserve is to be kept up to date with developments amid all of this uncertainty and I strongly believe they can form part of a highly successful business in the future.”

The MSP also welcomed the news that RBS is to relocate around 160 jobs to its Greenock centre.

He said: “While this will not add to the total headcount in Scotland or open up immediate opportunities for workers in Inverclyde, it is a huge boost for the area because it consolidates existing jobs we need to retain.

“Given the challenges faced in both the banking and contact centre industries, this is a welcome endorsement of a well-run operation with a highly-skilled workforce here in the Inverclyde area.”

ENDS