170 jobs to go under UPC cost-cutting plan

Telecoms company UPC Ireland is to shed as many as 170 jobs across its facilities as part of a cost-cutting programme.

The company’s Limerick base is to be worst hit by the restructuring plan with 70 employees expected to be made redundant.

UPC declined to confirm the exact number of staff that will be affected at its other centres, but it is understood Dublin will also see significant losses, with the remainder spread across its facilities in Cork, Galway, and Waterford.

Siptu — which represents the majority of the workers — said the decision was regrettable and would have a profound impact.

“It is with deep regret that our members at UPC Ireland were informed of the company’s plans to implement such a large number of redundancies… Out of approximately 170 job losses over 100 relate to our members,” Siptu organiser Dennis Hynes said.

“The impact of these redundancies will be severe on workers and their families as well as the communities in which the workplaces are based.”

Some operations are expected to be amalgamated while others are expected to transition to the Philippines.

Redundancies will be achieved on a voluntary basis where possible, UPC said, and will help reduce costs and improve efficiency.

“The changes taking place will impact a number of divisions across the company but primarily relate to activities in customer care, sales and field operations… These changes are necessary to ensure the company remains competitive on all fronts and remains an agile and sustainable business,” UPC chief executive Magnus Temsjo said.

Meanwhile, Ulster Bank is to create 350 jobs at its customer support centre in Belfast. Larry Broderick of the Irish Bank Officials Association said: “Ulster Bank has been through some very difficult times recently — which have affected both staff and customers. So it makes a welcome change to be able to celebrate a positive development. While further restructuring lies ahead in Ulster Bank, we remain hopeful that this can be completed in line with the agreements already negotiated between Ulster Bank management and IBOA.”

The new staff will manage customer calls for RBS and Natwest while continuing to support calls from Ulster Bank customers in Northern Ireland and the Republic.