Firm pledges to do all it can to save Aviemore jobs
A call handling firm has vowed to do everything possible that it can to save the jobs of 106 staff members at their Aviemore office.
The Strathy revealed yesterday that the jobs of staff who work at the HEROtsc premises in the village are under threat.
Banking giant HSBC is cancelling its contract with the company as part of a new strategy to consolidate its call centres and cut costs.
A spokesperson for HEROtsc confirmed that they had reluctantly opened formal consultations with their 106 employees at the Aviemore contact centre.
He said: "Sadly the client in our Aviemore operation, HSBC has indicated that from the end of September they will no longer require HEROtsc to provide contact centre services for them.
"This is no reflection on the quality provided by HEROtsc employees in the seven years they have been working on this particular account and is the result of a change in operating structure by the client.
"Although this work is not due to end until September, in accordance with employment law, we have started the consultation process immediately.
"While we go through this process, the company will be working extremely hard to try to find another client to replace the work currently done in Aviemore and retain the employment levels there.
"We are well aware of the important role HEROtsc plays in the Aviemore community.
"We understand this is a worrying time for all concerned and we will be keeping staff fully informed of all developments in the weeks ahead."
HEROtsc Aviemore - one of the biggest employers in the area - currently only has one customer, HSBC.
Badenoch MSP Dave Thompson said: "This is absolutely devastating news for Strathspey and Badenoch. For so many people to be in danger of losing their jobs in a small community like Strathspey and Badenoch is the equivalent of over 4,000 people losing jobs in a city like Edinburgh.
"I will work closely with HEROtsc, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the Scottish Government to see if we can help them obtain another contract.
"My sympathies are with those directly affected by these potential redundancies and I will do all I can to help."
