Verizon shuts Bellevue call centre

Wireless is shutting down its 850-employee Bellevue call centre, one of three the company is closing in a move to consolidate its call centres, The Seattle Times writes.

The Bellevue employees are being encouraged to seek other positions locally or to transfer, with relocation assistance, to one of Verizon's other US-based call centres, according to a statement from the company.

Those who do not find another position within Verizon will receive outplacement assistance and severance packages.

Verizon Wireless spokesperson Michelle Gilbert says the closure is part of the company's overall call centre restructuring; and a total of 3 175 employees around the US will be affected - between Southfield and other locations in Washington, Texas, California and Ohio, The Oakland Press reports.

Gilbert says none of the jobs are being eliminated by Verizon, but they are being moved to other locations around the country.

“This is part of an overall restructuring of our call centres. The purpose is to maximise our existing resources and real estate assets, so we have the ability to expand in other call centres around the country where we have space,” Gilbert adds.

After the Southfield centre is closed, Verizon will employ more than 1 700 workers in the state, including more than 750 in southeast Michigan, Detroit Free Press notes.

The company is adding 14 company-owned and franchised stores in the state and is expanding its 4G network to more cities.

“Our feet are planted in Michigan,” Gilbert says. “We are just growing in different ways.”