By Sandra M. Jones |
AT&T is closing its 411 office in Chicago and laying off 84
directory assistance operators, according to a monthly layoff report
from the state of Illinois. The office at 10 S. Canal St. is scheduled to close in April.
The Dallas-based phone company has been consolidating its directory
assistance offices for years as more people rely on the Internet,
rather than 411, to look up phone numbers.
The Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification report requires companies with 75 or more employees to file mass layoff notices with the state.
Other layoffs mentioned in the report at Illinois companies include: 23 workers at phone company Consolidated Communications Inc. in Mattoon, 15 jobs at insurance company AHC Inc. in Peoria, 99 workers at flour milling firm Bunge Milling Inc. in Danville and 84 employees at electric equipment wholesaler Tyco Valves & Controls in Prophetstown.
“The wealth of online information available today means we are fielding far fewer operator and directory assistance calls,” said AT&T spokesman Marty Richter.
AT&T is adding jobs in parts of the business that are growing, including retail stores and digital TV, while shedding jobs in areas that are declining, particularly the traditional land-line service, Richter said. In the past three years, AT&T has lost more than 25 percent of its wired consumer access lines, he said.
didn’t know if this might affect yo…
How’s your day going so far?
In similar news, the slide rule and mechanical typewriter plants are also shutting down. As this points out, probably over 95% use the Internet. Some even use the strange device known as the phone book.
Might the price to receive a number from 411 be a factor ? It’s not a free service and the charge is outrageous.
jack (the real one) | March 4, 2010 8:42 AM | Reply
In similar news, the slide rule and mechanical typewriter plants are also shutting down. As this points out, probably over 95% use the Internet. Some even use the strange device known as the phone book.
Oh Jack, a real tough guy.
If ATT did not jack up the fees to $1.50 per request hundreds more would have jobs and ATT would have more profits too form the volume of users.
Hey Tribune, are you charging John Roberts for the ad space?
John Roberts | March 4, 2010 8:48 AM
This is advertising spam. Whenever there is a story regarding employment, the same spam message is posted.
I used ResumeSolutionsPro.com and the results were horrible. Misspellings and inaccuracies all over the place. Prospective employers looked at my resume and laughed. I am still unemployed, and in ther gutter.
JOHN C, I afraid you have your facts messed up.
Great – another company where I get to speak to a person from India for assistance.
Since I know one of the 411 opearators being let go 1 year before she hits her full pension anniversary, I really understand the frustration.
Sure, AT&T might be adding jobs elsewhere, but due to the union rules she can’t just go work in a retail store or even get a job in another call center. There is a testing process and you may end up having to relocate for another position, even though AT&T could have an opening for another job close by!
AT&T just finished a massive printer project where they converted to Xerox printers. Now mind you, the printers that existed before were working fine. The hard working (ahem) salesperson just convinced them otherwise. I was a member of the project team. This project cost AT&T in excess of 100 million dollars (new printers, paying for installation and of course consultants). I read a comment above about a woman a year shy of her pension. Truly sad but as long as we continue to believe these companies really care, the more this will happpen all over again. We got to travel all over the US, staying in 4 star hotels with $100 a day in per diem money. So do not tell me that AT&T is losing money. It is just a different set of books.
good this can be done for less at my home country of India!
More jobs globally is the answer to help the globe.
Google Information. IT’S FREE.
1-800-4664-411
My company got around the reporting requirement by laying off people piecemeal, bit by bit. I am sure other firms are doing the same.
AT&T lets you DIAL 4-1-1 from your wireless phone … The rate for AT&T 411 Info is $1.99 per call, plus airtime, roaming, and applicable long distance
Doesn’t seem to be enough details. I wonder if AT&T will be providing further information….
I’ve worked for At&t for 1 year and 5 months almost 2 years.. Sadly i may not have a job tomorrow. If our union do not negotiate a new agreement for 3 more years, Tomorrow may be our last days ( a office with about 30-60 people )… So sad,sad, I can remember the first day i went in for orentation i was so happy i was like ( YEs thank you God! ) Ive always wanted to work in a place like this, so so happy. But tomorrow at 11:59 pm -12:00 a.m the news wil be revealed i prayed to God that he see fit to let us all work a lil more ( 3 more years ) there, but if we dont, its nto the end, and its not that God isnt able to, coz hes always willing too, Everything happens for a reason. Poor Columbus Ga Office will be shut down…
God Bless America Hope the recession gets better 
So sad how At&t call declined, i wish our customers would realize how we really care for them, willing to work late hours weeekends,holidays, we work in a office for them, without being with our familes to work, and help them with there problems,questions,etc. But i guess there just not able to use or feel the service is needed anymore, ANYONE WHO IS GOING THROUGH THIS STAND STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD, AND THE STORM WONT LAST FOREVER NO MATTER WHAT HAPPEN. Bad health, Lost of a job, Lose of a loved one, etc.
God can open a new door out of no where if only your heart is right and you believe in him
I’ll bookmark this as inspiration and refer visitors from my blog. I have put up some new ideas too, so I’ll add a hypelink to your post (if OK) on my site?