Liverpool workers hits as Barclays axe more jobs

Liverpool workers are to bear the brunt of job losses announced by Barclays Bank as more of its operations are switched offshore.

Barclaycard has been slammed over its plan to axe as many as 285 jobs - 200 of those at a call centre in Wavertree - only a week after another 1000 jobs were axed.

The company is to transfer its customer services departments from sites in Wavertree, Northampton and Teesside, but some employees will be offered the chance to re-deploy to a site in Kirkby, Merseyside.

A spokesman for the company said: "Barclaycard is today informing colleagues in a number of customer service teams in Wavertree that it is making proposals to move the work they currently undertake to existing partners overseas, and that this would result in some job losses during this year.

"The union, Unite, has already been informed and colleagues learned of the plans today at face-to-face meetings. It’s impossible at this stage to say how many jobs may be affected. Although some 197 colleagues have been spoken to today in Wavertree, the plans are subject to a consultation period and there are expected to be opportunities for redeployment.

"It is also intended that some Barclaycard colleagues will transfer to the business’ key centre in the North West, at Kirkby.

"This would ultimately mean no Barclaycard employees being located in Wavertree; however, it will remain a key strategic site for Barclays with the building lease recently being extended until 2023.

"In all cases, colleagues will be given comprehensive support, the opportunity to express their personal preferences at a one-to-one meeting, and every effort will be made to assist the individuals in finding alternative employment either within the Barclays Group or locally.

"The proposed changes are being made as part of Barclaycard’s ongoing programme of improving day-to-day operational efficiency so that it can re-invest in continuing to deliver good value products and innovative services to its customers.

"A smaller number of colleagues in Northampton and one small team in Teesside have also been spoken to by their managers today in relation to other proposals."

Unite national official Rob MacGregor said: "This decision comes just one week after Barclays slashed another 1,000 jobs.

"At this time of economic uncertainty why isn't this UK finance company doing all it can to support its workforce in the UK, not telling them their work will now be done in India.

"Unite will now be challenging Barclays to ensure that the bank offers redeployment opportunities for all those impacted by the decision today."

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