ATLANTA - BellSouth Corporation said Tuesday it will consolidate its 75 call centers into 28 expanded offices to achieve greater operating efficiency amid sluggish demand. <br>
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The reorganization will cut 966 positions, but BellSouth expects some employees will transfer within its nine-state region, leaving a net loss of 650 to 700 people unemployed. <br>
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The 28 remaining centers, which handle business and customer service calls, will be enlarged. <br>
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The company said it will pay relocation expenses for workers who choose to move for their jobs. Those who leave will be offered up to 90 weeks of severance pay, based on years of service. spokesman in Florida, where 10 centers will be consolidated into four. <br>
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The 28 centers will be in 18 cities. <br>
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Tennessee will lose the most positions, 255, with Kentucky the only state to gain in the restructuring, adding 138 positions. Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee will each have only one call center after the reorganization is complete at the end of the year, Chandler said. <br>
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Georgia will lose nine call centers, down from 12, with Florida and Louisiana each losing six. <br>
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The cuts are part of the 4,200 positions Atlanta-based BellSouth announced last year it would trim through 2002.
