The OEM has permanently closed two call centres in the US state.
North Bend call centre (picture courtesy of The World)
The World reported on Xerox’s decision, which was relayed to the 300 employees on Wednesday, noting that the cuts would amount to 1.4 percent of the local workforce losing their jobs in Coos County.
The North Bend and Coos Bay call centres are two of the OEM’s 175 global call centres serving hundreds of client companies, with local state economist Guy Tauer commenting that the move “will put a painful dent in the local economy” and will have “more of an impact […] because we haven’t seen the recovery from the recession” that was expected.
Xerox’s company spokesman Bill McKee told the news outlet that the OEM “notified approximately 300 employees in Coos Bay and North Bend that we would be closing, effective July 7”, and that the closure is due to a “change in strategy” by a client utilising the two sites, who he would not name.
The former employees will receive separation packages “based on length of service and eligibility”, and some “will have the opportunity to apply at other Xerox centres” in neighbouring areas. The two centres were only opened by Xerox three years ago, with McKee adding that “we will exit them at the end of the lease agreement”.
Local businesses and agencies are already looking to help out those left jobless, with career counsellors and registration for unemployment benefits already made available. The South Coast Business Employment Corporation (SCBEC) is aiming to secure a grant to help the job seekers, whilst John Stadter, the man who set up the area’s first call centre “may offer opportunities” to some of those laid off at his company First Call Resolution.