EE Greenock call center to relocate, 450 jobs affected

GREENOCK, SCOTLAND — Mobile network operator EE has announced plans to close its call center in Greenock, Scotland, with 450 jobs set to be relocated to Glasgow by November 2024.
The company said the office on Main Street is no longer “fit for purpose” and would require significant upgrades to meet its standards. The jobs will be moved to Alexander Bain House in Glasgow, which recently underwent refurbishment.
EE stated that the new Glasgow office already hosts 2000 staff from across its parent company BT Group, allowing more opportunities for career growth. However, the closure is expected to negatively impact the council area of Inverclyde with the loss of a major employer of 25 years.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said staff are “shocked and angry” at the news. CWU Regional Secretary Craig Anderson said they would engage with EE to explore alternatives but admitted that their powers are “limited.”
Labour’s West Scotland representative Paul O’Kane also expressed his disappointment over the decision and promised to fight to keep the company in Greenock.
“It is clear that this will have a major impact on the hundreds of local staff who will now be expected to commute to Glasgow in the midst of a cost of living crisis if indeed their jobs are retained at all given the ongoing redundancies at the site,” O’Kane stated.
Meanwhile, Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan noted that EE indicated that there are no planned redundancies related to this move. The company also pledged to consult with unions regarding the planned relocation.
“There is also a promise to bring in a two-year travel support [program] for staff. We will hold them to this.”