HOW WIDESPREAD ARE THE LAYOFFS FROM TODAY?
101 replies (most recent on top)
At All. Whoever commented that they sent the email from Steven Avilla to the Akron Beacon Journal reporter. Did he respond back? Any update on that?
@h7 Are you in the Reading Call Center? Why can't you strike?
There has also been internal FE training postponed (in person classes, etc). I have also seen additional large department meetings cancelled. What else could be going on?
@dk we can not strike over this. And realize when their is a strike no one gets paid.
@dj when was he hired? And why was it not announced? Just another shady, dishonest, underhand transaction? Sadly FE is known for that over many years
@dc email was received 8/27
@gf screenshots of the call center outsourcing email
https://imgur.com/a/ydopKy9
I really don’t understand how outsourcing the call center would make us a “premier electric utility company”.
I’m just going off this thread, I haven’t heard anything about outsourcing besides this forum.
@e3 not true
@ds call or text the Akron Union. I was able to find his number you know the area code, 9032301
@dw call the Akron Union. Find not ibew UWUA. Call today. I think his number is 9032301
@en I heard RTO did not produce the head count reduction that they
anticipated so I agree restructuring (layoffs) will continue.
@e0 I was given the name of at least 1 in NJ…. I cannot speak to MD.
@eh I am in 100 percent agreement with you. I have no doubts, but no intentions on spreading panic or conjecture. But I believe there will be another round soon. And there will be a buyout by another corporation.
Then, we all get to interview for our own jobs like we did for the FE/Alleganey merger. However this time, it will be us getting absorbed and I'm not confident that 2026 will be better than 2025.
I’m not surprised this was kept quiet. They already had layoffs in March-April and now another 50–100 people cut in August, that’s a clear pattern, not just a one-off.
It usually means one of three things: they’re bracing for heavy cost-cutting and more rounds before Christmas, they’re cleaning up the books ahead of a merger or acquisition, or they’re restructuring by cutting underperforming divisions to refocus on their core business. Either way, I don’t think this will be the last round. I’m sorry for anyone affected.
@e7 I can't speak to the Call Center, I am not in that world, but at least outside of the Call Center with the groups Im involved with no one knows anything.
@e3 I can tell you my friends supervisor tried to tell her the call center outsourcing is a good thing because "we really need help". Well. There has not been a training class since the beginning of the year. If we needed help. We would hired more people. Not outsource. Even supervisors are being bootlickers and trying to get us to drink the Kool aid. News flash. Sups we are smarter than you think.
@e4 done!
What does someone know about merger and or acquisition?
@e0 people on here should contact the journalist, his email is listed, and provide the email that was sent to the call center and all the other rumors, that this is a bigger story than 50 employees
@e2 That could be true but I'm telling you as someone at a supv level no one knows anything. I found out from people gossiping at lunch yesterday and still only know the same rumors and hearsay as everyone else. I could be wrong but I don't think anyone outside of Executive Council level knew or know what all is going on
@e1 You expect your employer to be honest with you?! That's cute. (Playful sarcasm of course). I don't trust anyone there. They have us all scared for our jobs. My supervisor told me, "talk to me if you need anything", I call bullsh-t. Just trying to find a way to push me out. I'm going to do just enough to earn my 12 pirc score. Just enough not to get fired.
@e0 Jennifer young is a liar. There were no layoffs in MD or NJ. They were all akron, pa, and 1 in WV
The Company can talk to reporters but can't communicate with employees
https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/business/2025/08/28/firstenergy-announces-job-cuts-in-ohio-4-other-states/85873554007/
@d9 they need to crack down on all the over employed contractors.
@dj Alix Partner plant
You missed the bit about Alix Partners. The guys running the O&M exercises from Alix are also restructuring experts. AEP + FE merger or sale, not sure
@ds go to ibewyes.org and put in a contact me request. It's on the first page. They will have someone contact you. You need 30% of the employees to sign on before you can hold a vote. There are 153 employees in Akron CC, so you'll need to find 51 employees who are interested. The union rep will go over all of it with you. Good luck. When I was at the CC in WV the anti union propaganda was RAMPANT.
@ds call IBEW 306. 306 needs to talk to 777 that represents Reading.
I work in Akron. I'm an CSR at the call center. I had a rough day. This was worst than a few months ago. Can someone help me and don't me in the direction on how to research and get help starting a union. I'll take charge myself. Enough is enough. I managers and supervisors ALL su-k. Every one of them. FirstEnergy fired all the good ones. Let's Jimmy Hoffa this sh-t.
PERFECT, GET A TAX BREAK FROM DON THE CON AND THEN LAYOFF DEDICATED EMPLOYEES, SHAMEFUL.
@dg Good thing is Reading Care Center is already union. I hope they strike.
There is a new CIO Daniel Puscas reporting directly to Brian T.
His bio on LinkedIn: Partner at Fortium Partners LP - Restructuring Interim CIO with expertise in IT Transformation, Private Equity, SG&A optimization, ERP transitions, post merger integration, divestitures and Chapter11 bankruptcy.
To all. If you are in the contact center, you need to take action NOW. If you are in the Reading contact center, you need to strike. If you are in Akron or Fairmont, you need to organize. Like another poster said....."Stand up for yourselves". If you don't, all your jobs will be gone once the new company is onboarded and optimal. This fu--ing company I swear.
@dc can confirm. Supposedly only a “portion” at first but that’s executive speak for “until we can get them trained and get rid of you”
The people need to strike and unionize now to force them to reverse course or else the jobs are gone within 2 years
@dd Ahhh, that motherf----rStephen. I cannot stand his pretencous attitude. I love it. SOME calls. You know damn well, this is just the start. He outsourced his Macy's contact center to India. No surprise here.
The way it is going there will be all contractors. Three times the cost for labor service. Cost of elec prices for home owners already double in 1.5 years.
They say they are customer focus. Money / salary's / Bonus is all that matters.
26 Million for 1 year who can live off that.
They are ra-ing the end user. Contractor is ra-ing FE and taking over the company.
The political game moves from state to state.
Message about outsourcing:
Dear Colleagues,
We're taking additional steps to elevate the customer experience by modernizing and streamlining our Customer Care operations. These enhancements are designed to make every interaction smoother, more efficient and more responsive to customer needs.
To support this effort, we have entered into a strategic partnership with Accenture - a leading provider of customer support solutions - to enhance our staffing and technology. This decision follows a thorough assessment of our current capabilities, customer expectations, regulatory requirements and ongoing opportunities for continuous improvement.
Initially, Accenture will provide us with more hands-on support across two main areas:
• Staffing Optimization: We will outsource a portion of customer calls to Accenture to help address staffing challenges and improve service levels. Accenture will also strengthen our existing team by bringing specialized expertise to identify process and technology gaps, improve training and knowledge management and streamline how we serve customers.
• Technology Modernization: We're leveraging Accenture's capabilities, close partnership and deep understanding of NICE Xone Infrastructure - our customer experience platform - to maximize its tools and more effectively utilize Artificial Intelligence (Al). This will position our agents to deliver faster, more effective service and improve how customers use our automated voice system (IVR), making it easier for them to resolve issues on their own.
You will start to see Accenture team members embedded across the Customer Care organization, including agents who will start taking calls beginning in late October
We are excited about this partnership and remain committed to positioning our team to deliver the best possible customer experience. Thank you for your contributions as we work together to shape FirstEnergy into a premier electric company.
If you have questions, please reach out to your manager or director.
Stephen
Ok whoever below said Call Center is being outsourced. Can someone else corroborate this?
@d8 it’s the perfect excuse to fire people without having a real reason