Call Centre

Illustration: Ron Tandberg

Up to a quarter of the nation’s Centrelink call centre workers are set to lose their jobs before the end of the year.

Pensioners, the disabled and families will feel the pain of drastically reduced customer service as 1100 to 1200 customer service workers are shown the door by the Department of Human Services,

according to the public service union.

Many of the temporary workers were hired just months ago in an effort to tackle an escalating crisis in waiting times.

More than 800 of the operators will leave on September 27, according to the Community and Public Sector Union, when their contracts with the department run out,

and 400 more will leave at the end of December.

The losses will be felt at government call centres nationwide, including in Victoria at Wendouree, Geelong…