A Roseburg, Oregon-based Dell call center is closing its doors after five years — and saying goodbye to 220 workers.
According to the local KPIC news affiliate, employees were informed at a morning meeting that their jobs were eliminated and were told to take their personal items and leave.
KPIC reports that “tears and sobs were heard amidst some angry outbursts as those on duty left.”
According to a Dell spokesman, the 220 workers were informed of their severance package and options. Beyond a severance package for each employee, the call center will host a job fair on Monday by FirstCall Resolution Call Center, teach resume classes, offer counseling, and possibly relocate some of the jobs.
The Roseburg location is the only center in the United States to close. In February, Roseburg employees filed a lawsuit against Dell, claiming Dell violated federal and state wage and hour laws.
In May, the Texas-based Dell announced global plans to reduce employment worldwide by 10%.
Dell Slows While Comcast Grows
Amid Dell’s closures, Comcast is busy achieving its aggressive goal of hiring new call-center workers.
The company just opened a $20 million call center and state headquarters at the Opus Northpointe Corporate Campus in Washington state. The 87,385-square foot facility opened with 350 employees and plans to add another 150. This is Comcast’s third call center in Washington; the first is in Everett and the second is in Fife. And across the country, Comcast just opened its second Connecticut call center, a 77,000-square foot facility in Enfield that will employ more than 200 customer service representatives.
In Newark, Delaware, Comcast opened a call center for 800 workers a few months ago. Comcast’s Eastern Division (Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland) has increased its employee base by more than 25%; its plans are to fill more than 2,800 new positions in 2007.