BT WORKERS shed tears when a Voluntary Paid Leaver (VPL) scheme closed in Enniskillen.

This is according to one worker, who wished to remain anonymous, who said a sense of “sadness and worry” hung in the air at the contact centre when the scheme officially ended last Thursday.

The scheme offered workers a “leaver payment” to officially leave BT on December 31. It is understood that around 70 per cent - more than 200 workers - signed up for it.

However, one worker said that the majority of workers didn’t want to sign up for the scheme, but felt that they had no choice due to a lack of information from the company.

“It was a tough, sad and dismal day full of worry,” the worker said. “We are at the end of the beginning phase against us.

“Sadness and worry was visible, with tears for some, and a foreboding atmosphere across the site.

“Many conversations were had between colleagues.

“No one is any wiser to what happens next, and when.”

Since being opened in February, many have criticised the VPL scheme as placing unnecessary pressure on workers to make a decision about their future at the local contact centre.

The worker claimed that many workers opted for the scheme to “protect ourselves for as long as we can”.

“Many were undecided, and many had decided,” the worker said. “Everyone either way was torn between taking the VPL offer, or not signing and seeing what comes next. Again, we don’t know what that will be.”

However, the anonymous worker added that amid a “grim” situation, BT workers are “still united”.

“The workforce is still united, and we are working, helping and supporting each other where we can. We are keeping in touch with each other.

“We’ve been badly let down by the company and abandoned to our own thoughts and decisions throughout,” they claimed, adding: “It’s grim, but this is where we are for now - in limbo.”

The closure of the VPL scheme at BT comes ahead of a rally in support of BT workers in Enniskillen organised by the CWU Union.

The rally will take place on Saturday, April 13, and will depart from The Diamond at 1pm.

But despite this ongoing community and Union support, another worker, who also did not wish to be named, said the mood in the centre “isn’t good”.

“The rumour is that 217 people have signed the VPL and most of them [having signed was] just out of fear,” the worker claimed.

“We have been given no updates from BT, but they are going into 90-day talks with Union, and possibly the MLAs.

“But that is pointless now because BT/EE have 70 per cent of staff basically telling them that they don’t want to work for them any more,” added the worker.