Posted at: 08/10/2009 11:14 AM
Updated at: 08/11/2009 7:31 AM

Comcast lays off 160 in ABQ

Comcast, in northeast Albuquerque

More than 150 Albuquerque Comcast call-center employees learned Monday that their jobs are moving out of state.

Comcast says it is restructuring and consolidating call centers, which will eliminate 160 jobs in Albuquerque. Many of those positions are moving to the company's Denver location.

Comcast confirmed to KOB that the layoffs will take place over the next 30 to 60 days. The company says it is giving some employees the opportunity to move to Denver to keep their jobs. It says it is working with the City of Albuquerque and the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions to help effected employees find new positions elsewhere.

"It's extremely difficult to make these changes, but consolidating our care operations into larger regional call centers is the right thing to do for our customers because it will better support the more integrated video, voice and Internet services we're now offering. By investing in our larger, more technologically advanced call centers and standardizing care processes, we can bring the latest tools, technology and training to help our employees deliver the best possible customer experience," Comcast wrote in a release Monday.

Comcast public affairs director Chris Dunkeson said the workers are not being kicked out into the streets�they have the option of transferring to the Colorado call center.

Those who choose not to transfer will be phased out over the next 30 to 60 days and will be offered severance packages.

Dunkeson says Comcast customers will also see faster service because of the call center shuffle. He says customers will no longer wait for hours on hold.