Starbucks closing 130-worker call center in Seattle HQ
By APFriday, January 15, 2010
Starbucks closing 130-worker Seattle call center
SEATTLE — Starbucks Corp. says it plans to close a 130-worker call center at its Seattle headquarters, using an outside company in Albuquerque, N.M., to handle customer feedback.
The company said Thursday that the move will be completed by September, affecting 78 Starbucks employees and 52 contract workers in Seattle.
Nashville, Tenn.-based Sitel will then take calls for Starbucks at Sitel’s Albuquerque operation.
Starbucks spokeswoman Stacey Krum characterized the change as an effort to better manage feedback, rather than a cost-cutting move. The Seattle company did not disclose details of its arrangement with Sitel.
Krum says the company hopes to find jobs for the affected employees elsewhere at Starbucks. If they are laid off, they will receive severance pay and help in finding another job.
Starbucks employs about 3,000 people at its headquarters.
Information from: The Seattle Times, www.seattletimes.com
