More than 200 Charlottetown call centre workers handed layoff notices

More than 200 call centre workers in Charlottetown have been told they could be out of a job by the end of this year.

TTEC Canada says its twoclients that were served by workers at its Charlottetown centre both owned by the same parent company have decided to end their contracts on Dec. 31.

As a result, the centre's 222 employees have been handed layoff notices.

"Understandably, there'sa feeling of concern," said Elizabeth Tropea, executive director of operations for TTEC Canada.

"They remain as positive as they can given the circumstances."

Company trying to keep centre open

Tropea saidher company is actively working to find new business for the Charlottetown call centre, along with call centres in New Brunswick and Quebec that could also be impacted by the cancelled contracts.

She said she's "cautiously optimistic" the company's Charlottetown call centre will be able to remain open.

The company has offered a $1,000 bonus to its employees as an incentive to continue working while ittriesto line up new contracts and prevent the centre from having to close its doors.

"In the event we're not able to redeploy everybody we're going to work with [the P.E.I. government]in the month of Novemberto start setting up job fairs, and really offering our employees whatever we can in the way of transition services."

'A tough time'

A spokesperson for the provincial government confirmed Thursday that Skills PEIplans to support TTEC workers looking for help finding a new job or applying for employment insurance.

Government plans to set up support sessions "as soon as possible."

Charlottetown-West Royalty MLA Gord McNeillyreached out to workers on social media,offeringto provide whatever guidance he can as well.

"It's a tough time.It's hard on the individuals, it's hard on their families, it's hard on the P.E.I. economy," McNeilly said.

"P.E.I. has a need for these workers, and hopefully we'll get them matched up, and allow people to stay in Charlottetown and P.E.I., and that's the main thing."

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