Prudential betrays Belfast workers
5th March 2009
Unite the union has today slammed Prudential for a “massive
betrayal’ of workers in Belfast after it was revealed that the
companyy will not renew its contract with Capita. The 100 Capita
staff in Belfast risk redundancy as a result of this decision by
Prudential.
Daryl Williams, the Unite officer for Capita, said: “Unite is
shocked that the contract with Capita has not been renewed by
Prudential. This is a massive betrayal of the 100 hard-working
staff. There is no evidence to suggest that this sales work can be
done better or more economically elsewhere.
“Prudential must now come to Unite with clarity over its
restructuring proposals and give us firm detail on plans and
jobs.
“The union is convinced that the decision not to renew the
contract makes no economic sense. Perhaps Prudential shareholders
should question why, in the current economic climate, Prudential is
making decisions that simply don’t add up.”
Unite has serious doubts about the decision since Capita has
produced a healthy sales profit for Prudential and hit sales
targets in 2008. According to the figures, seen by Unite, the
centre produced annual policy revenue of over £60 million in
2008.
Unite is now very concerned that the Prudential will force the
closure of the sales centre in Belfast with the loss of around 100
jobs and move the work to one of its other UK sites. The loss of
this contract could also bring into question the longer term future
for the whole site in Belfast.
Prudential received government funding to set up and maintain
jobs in Belfast.
ENDS
For more information contact: Saba Mozakka, Unite Press Office
on: 020 7420 8916 or 07768 693 953
Notes to editors:
- Capita currently employees 250 ex Prudential employees in
Belfast. 110 are employed in a sales unit selling Prudential
products. The Prudential employees and work were outsourced to
Capita in October 2006
- The original contract was signed with Capita in October
2006.
- Prudential originally wanted to close the Belfast site in April
2006 however Capita were awarded contracts to continue the customer
service and sales centre in Beacon House.
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