[PEN-L:1999] Unnatural disasters in the phone industry

[shniad@xxxxxx]

USWest service delays hit Oregon

PORTLAND -- Customers of Oregon's biggest telephone company
say lingering service problems are making them mad enough to
yell and threaten lawsuits.
   Complaints filed with the state about poor USWest
Communications service just this week -- 130 -- are equal to
all of the complaints received in November 1994, when heavy
storms raked Oregon.
   In 1993 and 1994, the monthly average was less than 52.
   Washington USWest customers have been having similar
problems -- to the tune of 1,050 complaints as of early
November this year, up from 412 in all of 1995.
   The complaints to the Oregon Public Utility Commission
don't take into account the total number of service calls to
USWest, which blames the sharp increase in complaints on
storm damage and floods.
   But company spokesman Jim Haynes admits that consumers
might be experiencing problems because of corporate changes.
   Two years ago, the telephone company started a vast
restructuring program in the 14 states where it operates.
About 9,000 jobs were cut, costs were slashed, and profit
margins increased.

   -- Associated Press