New York – AOL is laying off about 1,300 employees about 7 percent of its worldwide work force and is closing its call center in Jacksonville, Fla.
Other cuts will come from call centers in Ogden, Utah, and Tucson, Ariz.
The layoffs announced today represent the first major cuts since the Time Warner Inc. Internet unit cut about 700 positions last fall.
Although AOL’s subscription has been declining, spokesman Nicholas Graham attributed the layoffs to more savvy customers and better tools for them to help themselves. He said call volume has dropped by about 50 percent since 2004.
“That’s a remarkable success in terms of customer care,” he said. “It requires us to balance our work force.” AOL is closing its Jacksonville center, laying off 780 employees there. It is laying off 300 in Tucson and 125 in Ogden.
