POUGHKEEPSIE- Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. has announced that it is adding nearly 50 new positions in the customer billing and consumer outreach departments. New workers will also be added to the customer contact center.
This move is in response to pressure from regulators, elected officials, and the public directed at the utility for its billing and customer service practices.
“We recognize the increased need to reduce customer wait times on the phone and to help more customers with their billing questions,” Christopher Capone, Central Hudson President and CEO said. “With these additional resources, we’ll be better positioned to address customer concerns and begin to regain their trust.”
The move has the support of IBEW Local 320, which represents workers at Central Hudson. “Providing an improved customer experience is important for all employees at Central Hudson,” Steve Carroll, IBEW Local 320 President & Business Manager said. “In addition, these new positions will further help our communities by providing more well-paying jobs to residents of the Mid-Hudson Valley.”
According to the company, since implementing its new customer information system in September 2021, it has expanded its total workforce by 10 percent. The utility has also implemented new procedures for addressing customer concerns.
“We are confident the progress we’ve made in recent months to strengthen our customer information system will make billing issues going forward much fewer,” Capone added.
