Talks to minimise job cut threat

More than 400 TSC staff working in Larbert and Greenock face the axe

Enterprise Minister Jim Mather has held talks with managers at call centre firm TSC after the company announced 400 were in jeopardy.

Mr Mather visited the company's Larbert site, which employs about 500 people, 300 of which are at risk.

TSC revealed last week that workers in Larbert and at its Greenock site could be lost after major contractor T-Mobile said it was moving work overseas.

The company provides customer service and technical support to the operator.

The move will also affect about 100 workers at TSC in South Yorkshire.

T-Mobile said its general customer services would be provided from a contact centre in Manila, in the Philippines, to be known as T-Mobile Dela Rosa, by the end of August.

'Other business'

The more complex aspects of its customer support and telesales will continue to be managed in the UK.

Mr Mather is meeting managers at TSC to see how likely it is that the firm will be able to attract new contracts to the site to mitigate the number of job losses.

Speaking after the meeting, he said: "This is obviously a very anxious time for employees, their families and the local community.

"However, it is clear that the management and staff at TSC combine to offer quality service and results for their clients and their customers.

"This holds out the hope of winning other business at TSC and meanwhile the Scottish Government will do everything it can to help those facing jobs losses."

Mr Mather said that if redundancies went ahead, ministers would work through Skills Development Scotland to co-ordinate help and support for those affected.

TSC, which operates seven sites in Scotland and one at Dearne Valley in South Yorkshire, provides contact centre staff across the business sector.