Cisco Systems To Cut 6,500 Workers

SAN JOSE (CBS/AP) -- Networking equipment maker Cisco Systems Inc. is cutting 6,500 employees—about 9 percent of its work force -- as it follows up on a plan announced in May to eliminate thousands of jobs in an effort to cut costs and raise profits.

San Jose-based Cisco said Monday that the employees it is letting go include 2,100 who chose to take part in an early-retirement program. The rest are layoffs. The company said it will cut 15 percent of its employees at and above the level of vice president.

The company will offer severance pay and assistance finding new employment to those laid off.

Cisco will inform employees who have been cut in the U.S., Canada and some other countries during the first week of August.

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