Cincinnati Bell laid off 45 workers Friday, prompting a demonstration by union members who accused the company of fattening its profits and executive pay at the expense of employees.
The layoffs amounted to 1.5 percent of the company's work force of about 3,000.
A Cincinnati Bell spokesman said the layoffs followed failed negotiations with the Communications Workers of America to achieve cost reductions by other means.
"The company is proceeding with an outsourcing plan for certain support functions in the company," spokesman Tony Schulte said.
Tim Donoghue, president of CWA Local 4400 in Westwood, said mechanics, truck drivers, supply workers and clerks were among those whose jobs will be assumed by employees of outsourcing firms. He, like Schulte, expressed disappointment at not being able to reach a different outcome.
"What we would like to see is some kind of incentive paid to the older workers to get them to retire, then bring in younger workers at the bottom of the wage scale," Donoghue said.
Donoghue said about 200 union members took turns picketing Friday in front of Cincinnati Bell's headquarters on Fourth Street downtown. The union also cited the irony of layoffs when the company reported $22 million in third-quarter profit and paid $1.6 million in bonuses to its five highest-paid officers.
"The loss of jobs is inevitable," said Dottie Vories, a 16-year employee who was laid off Friday from her $22-an-hour clerical job in the company's Engineering Department, "but we were never treated with respect or integrity."
Schulte said the laid-off workers will receive severance pay and continuing health benefits, as called for by the labor contract.
Cincinnati Bell shares closed Friday at $4.42, up 2 cents.
