IPC And Others Respond To TST Article On Layoffs

In response to reports that Contel IPC had recently terminated all but a handful of its top executives (TST, Dec. 4), company president Gerald Paris has informed TST that "IPC's 3.5 percent reduction in force was a corrective action which will enable us to stay in step with our market environment."

His remarks, which came in the form of a three-page letter, made no reference to the reported agreement with Salomon Brothers Inc. to install approximately 900 analog key telephone stations by early 1991. Nor did Paris address the issue of Contel IPC's delayed development of a digital telephone product. Calls to Mr. Paris' office were not returned.

"Our recent restructuring was designed both to mirror the dynamics of the market we serve and be more responsive to the needs of our clients," Paris wrote. Confirming that Black Monday's aftermath brought major reductions in telecommunications expenditures for clients, Paris wrote that "we have eliminated redundant levels of management and have reduced staffing in virtually all headquarters based [sic] functions."

Paris was not alone in responding to the front page article. Other comments ranged from congratulatory confirmations to strident demands for recantation.

"You pretty much hit the nail on the head," said a former IPC executive who left the company before the recent round of layoffs. "I couldn't have added much," he went on, "except that Bradbury is a good man, very talented and they'll be sorry to see him go." Thomas Bradbury, former chief operating officer at IPC, was released during the layoffs.

A more animated caller said TST had no business running anonymous quotes. "How can you print a comment like bonehead' and not print the person's name? The guy who made that statement is the kind of person that's afraid to come out in public and make a statement." When asked for his name, the irate critic responded that he, too, preferred to remain anonymous.