A LEAKED email circulated to local BT staff shows the company is unwilling to commit to operating a "smaller site" in Enniskillen. 

This is even though 250 employees have now opted for voluntary exit from BT, leaving the future of around 50 workers hanging in the balance. 

According to correspondence from Tania Caporaso, director of Customer Care at BT, during a recent visit to Northern Ireland, she heard a business case, prepared by the Minister of the Economy Conor Murphy and Invest NI, arguing for the retention of the site in a scaled-back manner.  

However, in response, she reiterated that Enniskillen is "not a long-term strategic location", and because of this a smaller site is "not an option we would be able to commit to".

Mrs. Caporaso also told employees: "Now the VPL offer is closed, we appreciate that you’ll all want clarity on our plans for the site.

"We’ll take some time to review this, taking on the feedback from all our discussions this week, and will share more details with you in the coming months."

As part of the visit, Mrs. Caporaso visited the BT/EE contact centre in Enniskillen and also met with the Minister of the Economy, the Chief Executive of Invest NI, the CWU, local politicians and council leaders.

She also told BT staff in the email: "This gave me the opportunity to talk about BT Group’s strategy to consolidate into a smaller number of offices, what this means for us in EE, share the results of our Enniskillen voluntary leaver offer and address any questions or concerns."  

She also added that, while in Enniskillen, she saw the "continued commitment of staff to customers and colleagues" in action. 

However, local BT employees have hit out at Mrs. Caporaso's email, and have said that there continues to be a lack of clarity on the future for those who have not signed the VPL offer. 

One employee, who did not wish to be named, described the situation as "smoke and mirrors".

"The mood here is not great, to be honest, and everyone is very low," the employee said when asked about the feeling among workers at BT. 

"It always was when and not if with BT/EE, but it's all still smoke and mirrors."

The employee continued: "The VPL is just to mask the true situation and the true number of staff who are being made redundant in all but name.

"We just need a date and are still waiting on that so we can all get a new job. Some have already left over this with more to go.

"It's sad and disgusting treatment and there's nothing we can do but wait for news."

The employee added: "I'm just one of 300 sad and angry staff members annoyed with the lack of decency. The ifs, buts and maybes have disappointed everyone. 

"We are really just a number."