Qwest cutbacks to cost Helena area 70 jobs

The Qwest Communications call center on Park Avenue will close on Oct. 2, cutting from the local economy some 70 jobs at an average wage of $35,000.

The company told its employees of tontana, said the trend is toward call centers bigger than Hhe closure Tuesday. Rick Hays, president of Qwest Melena’s, and that finding workers in Helena was an ongoing challenge.

“As we look across the corporation, we’re trying to gain maximum efficiencies, and that means moving to larger call centers in the 350 to 500 person range,” he said. “This center is just not big enough. With the industry as competitive as it is today, cost is a huge issue. You’ve got to be as efficient cost-wise as you can.”

Hays said workers may relocate to one of several other call centers across the region, including Logan, Utah, Boise or Pocatello.

By JOHN HARRINGTON – IR Business Editor

Full Story: http://helenair.com/articles/2006/04/19/helena/a01041906_01.txt