Call centre abruptly closes in Cape Breton, leaving hundreds without work

Officials offered a glimmer HALIFAX of hope Friday to hundreds of Cape Breton call centre workers grappling with layoffs less than three weeks before Christmas, saying the operation has a “bright future” and could be up and running again soon.

ServiCom Canada announced the closure of its Sydney operation Thursday, handing pink slips to almost 700 workers in an industrial region already struggling with a stubbornly high unemployment rate. The shutdown followed a bankruptcy protection filing by ServiCom’s U.S. parent, weeks of pay delays and promises of bonuses and pay incentives for workers who stayed. In the aftermath of the layoffs, many workers spent Friday filing EI claims and seeking help from local charities.