Forty-one employees at HEROtsc's Rothesay call centre could lose their jobs after LoveFilm decided to move the work to another firm because the Bute staff could not offer "a multi-lingual service".

But we understand that several of the affected workers feared they could lose their redundancy payments if they declined a post with the London-based company which is to take over the LoveFilm work.

Local councillors Robert Macintyre and Len Scoullar raised the issue at a meeting with Harry Hogg, HEROtsc's HR and commercial director, in Rothesay on Tuesday.

But a spokesperson said the affected employees would receive every penny due in redundancy if they chose not to relocate to London and no alternative work is secured for the Rothesay centre.

After Tuesday's meeting, Cllrs Macintyre and Scoullar issued the following joint statement.

"Mr Hogg assured us that the company was looking for the best possible outcome for the Rothesay site, both in terms of securing future business and for making the current process for the employees as sympathetic as possible while complying with legislation.

"HeroTSC have said they will keep the Bute councillors informed as to progress and have assured us the company is actively seeking new contracts to replace the one which has been lost.
"However, the situation is still very serious for the workforce and the wider community."

Local MP Alan Reid has also held talks with HEROtsc chief executive David Turner, and has asked the Scottish Government if it can identify work which could be carried out by those currently working on the LoveFilm contract.

"The Scottish Government and its agencies must require contact centre work," Mr Reid said.
"Given the high standard of the Rothesay workers I have asked John Swinney, the Scottish cabinet secretary for finance and sustainable growth, to urgently identify work that could be carried out at the Bute call centre."