In the latest round of Verizon layoffs, nearly 200 jobs were cut in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Initially, over 250 jobs were slated to be cut but after last minute negotiations with the union, that number was brought down to 196. These layoffs are part of ongoing cost cutting measures first announced earlier this summer. Verizon is planning to cut 8000 jobs over a one year period, but company officials say that most of the job cuts will come through attrition, early retirements and contractor eliminations.

Verizon Communications is a US broadband and telecommunications company, and a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. It was formed in 2000 when Bell Atlantic merged with GTE.The company’s headquarters are located in Lower Manhattan, New York City.