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H-P workers to move or lose jobs

By Wayne Heilman, The Gazette

Published June 25, 2008 at 9:45 a.m.
Updated June 25, 2008 at 10:03 p.m.

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Hewlett-Packard Co. told the 800 employees of its Colorado Springs customer service center that they will lose their jobs unless they agree to move to Rio Rancho, N.M., where the California-based technology giant is opening a similar center, according to employees who asked to remain anonymous.

H-P told local workers that the Colorado Springs center is scheduled to close in the second half of next year, when the company plans to open a new center in the Albuquerque suburb, which eventually will employ 1,200, said the sources, who said they were told not to disclose the information outside Hewlett-Packard.

H-P announced plans last week to open customer service and technical support centers in Rio Rancho and Conway, Ark., that will together employ 2,500 by 2012.

H-P spokesman Dave Berman confirmed Tuesday the company was in "internal discussions with employees," but he declined further comment. Last week, he said the New Mexico center's effect on the Springs hadn't been determined because staffing details were still being considered.

Employees at the Springs call center must agree within 45 days to make the move, or they will lose their jobs when the local center closes, the sources said.

"Most of us won't be relocating because of the difficulty in selling our homes here, and even if we do move out there, who is to say that we won't be laid off a week later," one source said.

Employees who agree to move will be eligible for $5,800 to $11,000 in relocation expenses. Those who are laid off will receive severance based on the company's policy at the time. H-P recently cut severance payments from two weeks for every year with the company to one week for each year, sources said.

Comments

  • June 25, 2008

    3:54 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    renored writes:

    First of all, I'm glad the jobs didn't go to India but how about some in-depth reporting on why HP decided to move so many jobs out of Colorado Springs? What does New Mexico have to offer that Colorado Springs doesn't? What did the City of Colorado Spring do or not do to try to prevent the job loss?

  • June 26, 2008

    9:09 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    rwmorrisonjr writes:

    I'm going to guess better tax incentives and a lower cost of living in NM. CO needs to get real about business and personal taxes or we're going to have the same economic issues the Michigan is experiencing right now.