Unisys to Cut Jobs
Citing declining revenue and profits, Unisys Corp. said last week that it will lay off 1,250 workers worldwide and that it's offering early retirement to some workers. It said about 750 U.S. workers have accepted the packages. Blue Bell, Pa.-based Unisys said it aims to provide services to e-businesses, expand outsourcing to get out of the "middleman" business and create alliances to boost sales. It also may sell its federal computer services division.
More Layoffs at Net Services Firms
Two more Internet services firms reported layoffs in efforts to reduce costs. Scient Corp. last week said it laid off 460 employees - 25% of its workforce - and expected to post a loss for the third quarter. The San Francisco-based consulting firm also said it will close its offices in Silicon Valley and Austin, Texas.
Also last week, Boston-based Viant Corp. in said it's reducing its workforce by 125 people, including 99 consultants, and will restructure to focus on certain markets.
Troubles on DSL Front Spark Job Reductions
HarvardNet Inc. last week joined a growing list of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) providers announcing layoffs in what analysts say is a trend that will continue until the Internet service providers can offer something other than speed.
Boston-based HarvardNet said it will cut 58% of its workforce, or 280 employees.
Meanwhile, NorthPoint Communications Group Inc. in San Francisco announced a 19% workforce reduction, just one week after Verizon Communications killed a deal with the struggling company.
New Priceline Layoffs
Just a month after laying off 16% of its workforce, struggling e-commerce company Priceline.com Inc. last week said it will cut 48 more jobs - or another 11%, postpone the addition of several new name-your-own-price services and abandon a plan to enter the Japanese market.