Lucent Denies It Will Cut 15,000 More Jobs

Lucent Technologies Inc. denied a report that the telephone equipment company would eliminate as many as 15,000 more jobs than planned, and declined to say how many more workers it might shed.

TheStreet.com reported that Lucent, the biggest U.S. maker of phone gear, is preparing to reduce its work force to 30,000 to 35,000 people. Lucent has said it plans to pare the work force to 45,000 by year’s end. A Wall Street Journal report said additional cuts, taken next year, would total 5,000.

The Murray Hill, N.J.-based company had 123,000 workers two years ago.