JOB cuts announced by Thomas Cook this week will save the travel giant £20 million a year as it merges its tour operations into a single division.
UK and Ireland chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa said a 90-day consultation had already begun for affected staff.
The employees were taken to a local business centre because the operator did not have a room big enough to break the news.
Thomas Cook Signature managing director Joanna Edmunds is among the 325 casualties, but Signature sales director Manuel Mascarenhas will get a senior role in e-commerce. Thomas Cook director of flights and ancillaries Carol Dray has a new role as director of e-commerce.
The company has put a freeze on external recruitment, except for highly specialised positions. Talks have begun with the union TSSA.
The announcement comes as the travel giant is poised to reveal record profits for last year. Fontenla-Novoa said: “Making roles redundant is always difficult, especially on the back of such a successful year.”
The restructure will see the Thomas Cook Signature, Latitude and Tours brands become part of the new Thomas Cook Holidays division sitting alongside mainstream brands Thomas Cook, JMC and Sunset.
Job cuts are expected in Peterborough and Falkirk sales centres as they are merged.
Customer helpdesk functions in both locations will be expanded, while the Bradford helpdesk will close.
Most of the cuts will be at head office where there are 1,200 staff. One rival operator said: “Everybody is looking at cutting costs and Thomas Cook is the fattest on staff numbers. But it’s a staggering amount.”
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