Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – The unexpected closing of two Connect North America call centers in New Brunswick – one in Bathurst and the other in Fredericton – will not affect work at the Presque Isle branch, according to the company’s president and CEO, Barry D. O’Donnell. A statement released by O’Donnell on the company’s Web site, www.connectna.com, on August 29 explained the decision was based on the increased value of the Canadian dollar.
“The closures have been necessitated by the current difficult economic circumstances and the severely negative impact of the Canadian/U.S. currency exchange rates,” state O’Donnell. “Should the situation change in the future, significant efforts will be initiated to reopen both sites.”
His statement, however, was of little comfort to the nearly 400 of employees who were given no warning they’d be out of a job. Workers reportedly showed up for work Wednesday, August 28, to discover the doors locked and signs posted at both Canadian locations indicating the sites were, “closed until further notice,” and that, “employees will be contacted at a later date.”
News reports on the matter indicate staff were not provided with pink slips. News agencies from across the province reported on their Web sites that employees were angry and confused by the sudden closures and unsure of their future, not knowing whether they’d be called back to work by the company or if they should seek other employment.
Ed Doherty, the province’s labor minister, reportedly was looking into the matter to try to find out why the centers closed, but noted the call center industry, in general, was stable in the province. While New Brunswick doesn’t have money invested in Connect North, it did provide about $100,000 toward training new employees when the business expanded in 2002, according to Doherty.
Staff at the Presque Isle office were advised of the situation and that the closings would not affect the Maine site. Connect North America opened for business in Aroostook County earlier this year in the former MBNA facility located on Green Hill Drive. The Presque Isle office has continued to grow since that time, with staff of the call center offering a variety of Verizon packages to its customers. O’Donnell indicated business would not be affected at the Presque Isle division.
“A related centre at Presque Isle is not affected by this closure,” O’Donnell stated.
