MCI Lays off 4,000 Workers; Cites Impact of Do Not Call List

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAF9Y5XASD.html

McLEAN, Va. (AP) - Bankrupt telecommunications company MCI said Friday it is cutting 4,000 jobs - more than 7 percent of its work force - and closing three call centers because of cost-cutting pressures and fallout from the national Do Not Call registry.

The company had announced in January that it was expecting to reduce overall costs by 15 percent to 20 percent, but did not mention specifically that jobs would be cut.

The centers being closed are located in Denver, Phoenix and Niles, Ohio. Jobs are also being reduced at MCI facilities in Alpharetta, Ga., Colorado Springs, Colo. and Springfield, Mo.

"As a result of the impact of federal and state 'Do Not Call' laws, as well as ongoing telecom market trends, we need to take this action in order to improve our overall cost structure," the company said in a statement. "These actions will in no way impact our ability to serve our customers."

more

[brokensymmetry]

1. Nope. That just can't be.

Our pResident said the economy was growing. So how can we possibly believe these reports about people getting laid off? (Yes, I'm being sarcastic about the economy!)

[rocktivity]

2. Bull

Half those calls were automated, anyway!

:headbang:
rocknation

[saigon68]

3. Profits will be up, Profits help Chimps "recovery"

CEO will be awarded Huge bonus due to increased profits IE 20 million or so

Unemployed workers will eat at Salvation Army soup kitchen.

Ya that's AMERIKA in the 21st Century !!!!!

[jo35042]

4. does this mean

that bush will have to classify the folks who fry the fries as manufacturing jobs in addition to the folks who construct the burgers, in order to keep his job numbers up?:bounce:

[bushbegone04]

5. Do not call list

Since I am new here what is the opinion of everyone on the Do Not Call list? I am sad that people have lost their jobs, but I have to be honest and say that I'm glad I'm not getting any more telemarketing calls (and when I do, I simply say that I'm on the Do not call list and they apologize and hang up promptly!)

[UpInArms]

6. welcome to DU bushbegone04!

glad to have you here! :hi:

I like the do not call list - and have been on one (Missouri had one before the national one) for about 3 years.

Prior to that time, my phone rang all day long - and since I'm self-employed - I would have to stop everything I was doing and pick up the phone (hate to lose busines by not answering the phone) and then ....... dead air (because it was automated and was dialing 15 numbers simultaneously and whoever picked up first was the "lucky" one that got someone on the other end) and then my blood pressure went up and it took fifteen minutes to get my head back in my work and then 20 minutes later the scenario repeated.

[SheilaT]

8. The Do Not Call Lists

are wonderful and should have been around from the beginning. And DO NOT believe the lie that those lists are responsible for 4,000 jobs being lost. Just think about it for a minute or two and you'll realize how ludicrous that claim is.

[SharonAnn]

11. Oh, it's wonderful! Here in Tennessee we've had it for years.

I took advantage of it immediately when I found out about it 4 years ago. Then, when I went to visit friends and family, I was surprised at the number of telemarketing calls they received. I'd taken for granted the calm and quiet at our house in the evening.

[UpInArms]

7. just remember that we are right on the cusp,

any day now, next week, next quarter, very soon, going to see the jobs go.....

yeah, right.

[bluestateguy]

9. More jobs lost in swing states

Take note Karl.

[kysrsoze]

10. Screw MCI - it's run by crooks

Their entire business model consists of ripping off customers, competitors and the government, plus annoying the crap out of you with constant telemarketing calls.

The fact is that there is too much capacity in telecom and prices are being forced down in traditional and cellular lines due to intense competition. I'd rather see MCI go down than the others who play fairly.

[beachbum]

13. You can say that again!

MCI SUCKS! They very unfairly turned my phone off! Then charged me extra $30 each way for turning it off AND turning it back on. I call that gouging. I am a single person, and am very nearly late every month, because I have alot of doctor bills. I am not trying to get something for nothing. But MCI can kiss my butt. I just called and switched to another service. Period end of story. And I guess that is the REAL story...MCI SUCKS!! forget that "do not call list" BS.

[truth2power]

12. The irony

This thread right underneath the"Bush hails growing economy" thread. Bwahahaha!!

[Redleg]

14. That's a bloody likely excuse.

"It was someone else's fault we have to terminate these employees."

[cynicinthesouth]

15. I'm thrilled about the Do Not Call List

but I'm sure some people will lose their jobs -- it's only natural.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

16. Isn't that just to bad.

Maybe crime really doesn't pay.

[pacifictiger]

17. and that offsets

how many new foreign employees I wonder?

[Sandpiper]

18. Used to work at the Phoenix Call Center

For a short time. Not the greatest job I ever had, but not too bad.

I'm sorry to hear it will be closing. A lot of people work there.