AT&T’s “headcount rationalization”—i.e. job cuts—hits thousands more workers
AT&T network operations take big hit—thousands of contract workers lose jobs too. …
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AT&T is cutting 3,400 union jobs from its wireline broadband and phone network operations as well as closing 250 wireless retail stores, according to a union that represents AT&T employees. Wireline job cuts are initially “voluntary” through buyouts, but AT&T will proceed to layoffs if not enough workers volunteer.
The total number of planned job cuts is apparently more than double that, because AT&T told Ars that it is cutting even more non-union jobs than union jobs. The cuts are a continuation of what AT&T has called a multi-year “headcount-rationalization” project.
“AT&T has informed the Communications Workers of America (CWA) of its plans to cut over 3,400 technician and clerical jobs across the country over the next few weeks,” the union said in a press release yesterday. “In addition, the company plans to permanently shutter over 250 AT&T Mobility and Cricket Wireless stores, impacting 1,300 retail jobs.”
CWA Communications Director Beth Allen told Ars that “the vast majority of the 3,400 positions are technicians” for the wireline network. While the CWA doesn’t yet have a complete list of job cuts from every location, Allen estimates that “fewer than 100 are clerical or direct customer service (for instance, billing representatives).” This would mean that AT&T is eliminating more than 3,000 workers who maintain and upgrade the copper and fiber networks that deliver phone and broadband service in 21 states.
“AT&T is offering a voluntary buyout for many of the jobs on the wireline side.
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