Coca-Cola Co. cutting 1,000 jobs, 3 percent of workforce, in consolidation

ATLANTA (AP) _ Coca-Cola Co. said Thursday it will lay off 1,000 employees as part of an effort to streamline the beverage giant's North American operations. <br><br>The cuts at Coca-Cola North America,

Thursday, January 30th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ATLANTA (AP) _ Coca-Cola Co. said Thursday it will lay off 1,000 employees as part of an effort to streamline the beverage giant's North American operations.

The cuts at Coca-Cola North America, Coca-Cola Fountain, Minute Maid Co., Odwalla and Danone Waters amount to 8 percent of the North American division's 12,000 employees and 3 percent of Coke's 30,000 workers worldwide.

Half the job cuts will be in Atlanta, where Coke is based. They will be completed by the end of March.

``This will make our North American business simpler in process, sharper in strategic focus, and more competitive in the market,'' chairman and chief executive Doug Daft said in a memo to staff.

Over the past several years, Coca-Cola has eliminated thousands of jobs, often to shave costs. In 2000, the beverage giant trimmed 5,200 employees.