MR worker sues for wages after ICT call centre closure

US-- A former market research interviewer is suing call centre owner ICT Group claiming unpaid benefits for him and 100 others like him who were permanently laid off just after Christmas.

Charles Smith claims ICT violated the terms of the Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act by failing to give him and other workers at least 60 days' notice before closing its Erie, Pennsylvania facility on 30 December.

The closure was announced and the lay-offs happened the same day, according to Smith's complaint. He argues that in the absence of the required notice period, he is entitled to pay equal to 60 days' wages as well as other benefits.

ICT has denied the allegations in the complaint and says it will “vigorously defend” itself against the action. “ICT Group is committed to complying with all applicable state and federal laws,” the company said.

Last week, ICT said it was pulling its market research services and closing all or part of six US and Canadian call centres as part of a cost-cutting drive to boost profitability.

Author: Brian Tarran