Also. . .

Washington-based MCI Communications Corp. said it cut about 1,500 jobs, or 2.7% of its 55,000-member work force, in a bid to boost earnings. About 1,000 were contractors who worked on special projects, and 500 others worked in operations, MCIsaid. . . . Three international marine construction companies pleaded guilty to criminal bid-rigging charges and were fined $65 million--the second-largest criminal antitrust settlement in U.S. history, the Justice Department said. Dutch firm HeereMac, Dockwise of Belgium and its Houston-based subsidiary Dockwise USA also agreed to cooperate with the continuing inquiry.