T Mobile USA informed city of Redmond officials last Thursday of their plan to close their Redmond based call center, in addition to several other call centers nationwide at the end of June. The T Mobile call center is one of Redmond’s top 5 largest employers, and this closure will directly impact the 363 employees currently working at the Redmond facility.
T-Mobile also informed City of Redmond officials that most of those affected will have the option to transfer to jobs at remaining call centers in other states, including Tennessee, South Carolina and Maine. T-Mobile said it will be hiring for 1,400 positions at the facilities to remain open. There will be a net loss of 1,900 positions as a result of the company-wide consolidation. Employees still working at the Redmond call center when it closes will receive career coaching, severance and two months of paid health care coverage, T-Mobile said.
“They’ve been a good corporate citizen and have provided job opportunities for many people living in our city and in the surrounding cities,” states David Brandt, Redmond City Manager. “While the closure will not directly impact the city’s general budget, the decision will be particularly difficult for many of our families, particularly those who have both the husband and wife working there.”
“While this is difficult news for the Redmond community and our hearts go out to the 363 people that work at T Mobile, EDCO and REDI have seen activity swell for new business prospects and several in this industry,” remarks Jon Stark, manger of Redmond Economic Development Inc. “The existing turnkey facility and the current available workforce are assets to help leverage these prospects in Redmond direction.” The City of Redmond will continue to work closely REDI and EDCO to identify potential leads and to get this employment and building vacancy filled as soon as possible.
T-Mobile opened up in Redmond in 2004 due to the City’s recruitment efforts and Enterprise Zone program. “We are obviously very disappointed in learning of T-Mobile’s closure and the resulting layoffs in our community. However, we will continue to work towards providing programs and policies that are attractive to businesses and creating jobs in Redmond”, notes Redmond’s community development director, Heather Richards.
“This is obviously a set-back for our community’s economic recovery, but Redmond is resilient and we will get through this,” remarked Brandt.
