By Polly Raymond, 22 March 1999 18:36
NEWS Netscape's $10bn merger with AOL could mean the loss of over 750 jobs, according US reports this morning. The cutbacks would amount to 30 per cent of Netscape's workforce, and are expected to hit the firm's programming, content and administration units. Netscape UK has so far played down the cuts, dismissing them as 'pure speculation', but Bloor Research chief, Robin Bloor, said: "It's inevitable for two fairly mature organisations to shed jobs when merging." Bloor added that if the job losses are as heavy as predicted, both companies face major changes. "A cut of 750 jobs clearly represents a change of strategy of some form or another - you can't lose 750 tea ladies," he said. US reports predict that the cuts will come as AOL combines Netscape's online division, Netcenter, with its own Web operations. Also expected to go are a proportion of Netscape's programming and administration departments. AOL was unavailable for comment.
In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in.
Log in or create your silicon.com account below