Approximately 3,000 people could lose their jobs following the shuttering of Verizon call centers in Texas, Michigan and Washington state. Local ABC affiliate ABC 13 reported on Thursday that up to 1,000 workers may be released as Verizon moves its call center out of the Houston, Texas region. Verizon will close call centers in Michigan and Washington as well, impacting a total of about 3,000 workers. It is unclear if the carrier intends to open new call centers to replace the shuttered facilities, or if it will look to increase head counts at other existing call centers. Verizon said in a statement that the closures are “a very difficult but necessary business decision,” and a company spokesperson confirmed to ABC 13 that it will find new jobs within the company for workers willing to relocate, though it is unclear if Verizon plans to cover relocation expenses. The carrier also said it will pay a severance to employees who do not secure new jobs within the company.
UPDATE: A Verizon Wireless spokesperson contacted BGR to clarify a number of inaccuracies and omissions in ABC 13’s report. The company does not plan to open new call centers following these three closures, however it will continue to operate 28 call centers across the country. 2,600 workers will be affected by shuttering of the facilities in Texas, Michigan and Washington, however all employees have been invited to relocate. Verizon will pay employees who move to new centers $10,000 in after-tax dollars to relocate, and workers who do not continue with the company will be provided with separation benefits.
