More than 1,500 employees of Alcatel-Lucent marched in a public protest in Paris over the company’s recently announced plans to reduce its workforce by 10,000 by the end of 2015. About 10% of the cuts are to occur in France, which the protesters said is too much. The company is to begin negotiation with work councils soon.
- Earlier this month. Alcatel-Lucent said the coming he job cuts would include a reduction of 4,100 positions in Europe, Middle East and Africa, 3,800 in Asia Pacific and 2,100 in Americas. By the end of 2015, Alcatel-Lucent will halve the number of its business hubs globally.
- In France, Alcatel-Lucent plans to cut approximately 900 positions in 2014 primarily in support, administrative and sales functions (via a legally-compliant program know in France as Plan de Sauvegarde pour l’Emploi), as well as recruiting 200 engineers and technicians with new technical competencies. By the end of 2015, the company transformation program could also result in internal mobility, transfers to partners and redeployments for approximately 900 employees whose jobs will be retained, inside or outside the company.
- Alcatel-Lucent said its R&D activities in France will focus on 4G and IP platforms, in particular with the creation of a new small cells competency center, an area of particular interest for the company. In terms of research, France will keep its focus on optics and strengthen it in mathematics, at the heart of next-generation network software.
- In June 2013, Alcatel-Lucent outlined a “Shift Plan” aimed at transforming the company from a generalist supplier of networking solution into a specialist provider of IP Networking and Ultra-Broadband Access. The company is targeting Euro 1 billion in reduced sales, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses over the next three years as it makes a decisive in its industrial focus toward high-value equipment and services. Current business segments outside of this new area of focus include Terrestrial Optics, Submarine, Wireless Transmission, Network Applications, Integration Services for Strategic Industries, Consulting Businesses and OSS/BSS.
