PENSIONS and insurance company
Friends Provident
today signalled job losses among its Manchester workforce.
Friends said it would quit its offices at the Manchester Express building from the end of 2009 and consolidate operations at its site in Spring Gardens.
The firm employs 465 people at the Express building, in customer service, IT and other head office functions.
The Unite union claimed today that 280 jobs would go as a result of the shake-up, but Friends said the final number of redundancies would not be known until a consultation period is completed.
Friends said the switch would involve the transfer of roles to Spring Gardens, relocation to other offices or home-based working.
It added: "Regrettably, a number of redundancies will also occur, over a phased period from now until the end of 2009, and Friends Provident will begin consulting with those employees affected. Final numbers will not be known until the consultation period is complete."
Unite’s Sarah Carpenter said: “The closure of the main building in the city centre is a heavy blow to staff. We have demanded an urgent meeting with management on this issue.Unite will be calling on Friends Provident to ensure there is suitable redeployment for all those employees who want it.”
Colin Sinclair, chief executive of Manchester inward investment agency
MIDAS, said: "We have to recognise that many financial organisations are facing difficult times.
"However, we have a good relationship with Friends Provident and are absolutely delighted that key functions are being retained here at a new location at 55 Spring Gardens.
"We are continuing to talk and meet with Friends Provident and are optimistic that with their drive towards homeworking and other redeployment programmes that any eventual job losses will be absolutely minimal."
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johnnyboy, Ashton-u-Lyne, Lancashire (14/11/2008 at 08:57)
naz, Manchester (15/11/2008 at 11:55)
If anything the congestion charge should encourage City Centre property market - as City Centre workers choose to rent/buy in the centre so cutting costs
Albert J Beancounter, At Home (15/11/2008 at 12:16)
"What has the congestion charge go to do with this? "
Probably nothing, but you seldom hear "I am going to retire and move to the city", you do however hear "We are looking for a place with a garden for the kid's to play in". City Centre living is only for a certain percentage of workers - but IT means office work can be transfered to cheaper area's anywhere in the world, with just the click of mouse. I will have an nice income in 5 years - will a an office bod?