Ontario's call centre industry drying up

CBC News reports.

The US-based company has said little about why it's shutting down operations there. The company once had 800 workers in the city and operated call centres in all the major cities in the northeast.

At one time, about 2 600 Sudburians worked in a call centre. Once Teletech closes later this year, that number will be down to around 1 000.

Teletech's decision to close its Sudbury office is “sad” for the more than 200 people who will lose their jobs, the city's mayor says, The Sudbury Star writes.

But mayor Marianne Matichuk also said in a statement on Thursday that Greater Sudbury - fuelled by a mining boom - remains poised to grow.

“It's sad to see people out of work through no fault of their own,” Matichuk said. “But Greater Sudbury is a growing and resilient community and we must ensure there are jobs and opportunities to transition into.”

She said officials from Teletech in Colorado called her to explain that the company had told its local employees the call centre would cease operations in Greater Sudbury by 16 October.