http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002142423_cingular06.htmlCingular Wireless said yesterday it was laying off 155 high-level employees in Washington state and an undisclosed number nationwide as part of its merger with AT&T Wireless.
The Atlanta-based company kept its promise not to cut staff until the New Year but did not waste time handing out pink slips as 2005 started.
Yesterday's announcement represented the first wave of cutbacks as the combined company seeks to reduce its 68,000 head count by about 10 percent over the next year or so. Those in this wave will start leaving as early as March 7 but could stay up to 18 months, according to the company.
Affected employees include some in the former AT&T Wireless headquarters in Redmond Town Center and some in offices in Bothell and Seattle. AT&T Wireless had about 31,000 employees in the United States, about 5,700 in Washington.
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