WorldCom job losses hit the UK

The UK could bear the brunt of layoffs announced yesterday by US Internet service provider Worldcom, according to sources.

WorldCom, which owns ISP UUNet, employs over 5,000 people in Britain. On Wednesday the company confirmed that it is to lay off about 800 employees across Europe. UUNet's Cambridge offices are expected to account for 430 of these, according to sources.

WorldCom has confirmed that the redundancies are part of a move to integrate the UUNet brand into WorldCom's other operations. "Once the restructuring plan is complete the UUNet brand will no longer exist," said Richard Woods, director of public relations at UUNet.

More to follow.

Take me to ZDNet Enterprise

Have your say instantly, and see what others have said. Click on the TalkBack button and go to the ZDNet News forum.

Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom. And read other letters.