FairPoint Communications will close its call center in South Burlington, eliminating 60 jobs, the company announced.
The closing is part of a larger effort that will result in the loss of approximately 260 jobs in 17 states. Its not clear if there are Vermont jobs cuts in addition to the call center positions. The company says it has not produced a state-by-state breakdown of the cuts.
In announcing the cuts, the company cited the loss of land line business to wireless and cable providers.
“We are taking steps to ensure our administrative and operational structures remain aligned with the current size and composition of our business,” FairPoint CEO Paul Sunu said in a company news release.
Two unions which recently settled a contract dispute with FairPoint released a statement calling the cuts disappointing, saying they will further erode the quality of the company’s service.
According to the unions, the cuts will reduce the company’s Northern New England workforce by more than 10 percent. FairPoint could not confirm that figure.
FairPoint has been trying to build its service to large business and institutional customers, but the growth hasn’t offset losses in land line revenue.
The company reported a fiscal 2014 net loss of $136 million.
The company says once the South Burlington facility closes, Vermont calls will be handled by other call centers in New England.
