Qwest Communications posted a profit for its third quarter Wednesday but said the continued slide of its traditional phone business is forcing it to cut 1,200 jobs, 3 percent of its workforce.
The cuts will come before the end of the year, which will leave the company with 33,500 employees, 9 percent fewer than at the end of last year. That's about the same rate at which customers are canceling their land-line service to go wireless or to sign up with a cable company.
In Minnesota, Qwest said the job cuts will affect both management and union workers among Qwest's 3,900 employees. But it declined to say how many jobs will be eliminated in the state.
However, Twin Cities union officials expect 90 or more Qwest union jobs to be lost here, either through layoffs, retirements or voluntary departures -- the latter being encouraged by negotiated severance payments.
Communications Workers of America Local 7200 in Minneapolis, which represents about 1,400 Qwest workers, said 90 to 100 technicians in that local are affected so far, and it remains unclear whether the number will increase.
Local 7201 in Maplewood also will lose some workers, but union officials there couldn't be reached.
The Denver-based phone company, the country's third-largest, earned $151 million, or 9 cents per share, in the three months that ended Sept. 30. That was down 93 percent from $2.06 billion, or $1.08 per share, a year ago, but those 2007 results were boosted by a $2.1 billion tax benefit.
Revenue fell 2 percent to $3.38 billion.
