Fibre-optic communications equipment company JDS Uniphase Corp. announced today that it would cut an estimated 3,000 employees amid the current business climate 350 of which will take place immediately in Canada.
The cuts will be concentrated in the company’s passive component manufacturing operations and affect workers in operations in San Jose, Calif. and Nepean, Ont., the company said.
Immediate reductions include 350 contract (adecco) personnel in Nepean and 700 in San Jose, Calif., Lori Goulet, JDS Uniphase spokesperson in Nepean, confirmed this morning. The remaining workforce reductions are expected to take place over the next few months through attrition and personnel leaving the company. The company currently employs 29,000 people globally.
Despite its announcement, the company said its ongoing prospects are positive and it expects to continue hiring in high-growth product segments.
Earlier this month, JDS Uniphase agreed to sell to Nortel Networks Corp. its 980 nanometre pump-laser chip design and manufacturing subsidiary for US$3 billion in stock [See story – Nortel to buy optical business]. The chips provide the energy source to strengthen the light that travels via fibre between cities or buildings and are used to produce optical networks.
JDS Uniphase can be reached at http://www.jdsunph.com/.