Jobs blow for East Lancashire as travel agent Thomas Cook axes 100 (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Jobs blow for East Lancashire as travel agent Thomas Cook axes 100

2:00pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in News

AROUND 100 jobs are to be cut at Thomas Cook’s base in Accrington’s Globe Centre, a move described as ‘shocking’ and ‘devastating’ by unions and councillors.

The losses are among 500 positions being axed by the holiday company nationally, as it plans to close 195 of its travel agencies. A desire to slash administrative costs and restructure the firm is said to be driving the job cuts.

Leader of Hyndburn Council, Miles Parkinson, said: “This is extremely sad, not only for the people about to lose their jobs, but for their families too. The employment situation in Accrington and Lancashire is such that this is a devastating blow.”

Clayton-le-Moors councillor Nick Collingridge said: “It’s just awful for the people affected, when times are so tough.”

Shopworkers’ union USDAW’s national officer, Sharon Ainsworth, said: “We were well aware of the challenges that Thomas Cook have been facing but the scale and severity of these redundancies will come as a real shock to our members.”

Telecoms giant BT is recruiting 300 people at its new call centre at the Globe Centre.

Mr Parkinson said: “I would urge Thomas Cook to contact BT urgently to make sure experienced call centre staff are kept in employment.”

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