A union representing AT&T workers in Connecticut says the company is eliminating 100 phone operators’ jobs in the state and closing its service center in Old Saybrook, The Associated Press reports.
Leaders of Local 1298 of the Communications Workers of America criticized the company for announcing the job cuts only days before Christmas and Hanukkah.
The company told the union this week that it was cutting one-third of the 301 wireless customer information operators in the state. Affected workers in Old Saybrook, Waterbury, Hamden and New London have received buyout offers and would be laid off if they don’t accept.
AT&T spokesman Marty Richter says the positions are no longer needed because operator-handled calls have decreased 54 percent in the past three years.
The company employs 5,500 people in Connecticut.
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