AT&T; to Reinstate 2,000 Jobs

AT&T; Inc. said Thursday that it would restore 2,000 technical-support positions it had farmed out to other companies.

The largest U.S. telephone company will add jobs by the end of 2008 to assist customers who buy high-speed Internet service, San Antonio-based AT&T; said.

Employees in the new positions will help customers install AT&T;’s digital subscriber line, or DSL. All the new jobs will be in the U.S., spokesman Walt Sharp said.

The company hasn’t decided where the jobs will be. Some are outside the U.S. now. AT&T; has 182,980 employees.

The positions came out of discussions with union members who have been demanding jobs for employees in declining businesses that may eliminate positions, AT&T; said.

Chief Executive Edward Whitacre plans to cut 26,000 jobs over three years as he combines SBC Communications Inc. and AT&T; Corp. SBC bought AT&T; in November for $16.5 billion.

Companies including AT&T; are losing local-phone lines as customers drop second lines or replace traditional phones with wireless and Internet-based service.

Members of the Communications Workers of America labor union held rallies in five states Sept. 15 asking AT&T; to deliver on a promise to create jobs. AT&T; also agreed to hire “probably” thousands of technicians for the company’s fiber-optic television service as it is introduced, Sharp said.

Shares of AT&T; rose 22 cents to $32.28.