Touch America lays off more than half of work force

Associated Press Writer

HELENA - Touch America Holdings Inc., whose stock has traded for less than a dollar a share for nearly a year, laid off more than 200 employees Wednesday - more than half its remaining work force.

Company spokeswoman Linda McGillen said the 216 job cuts were effective immediately and would leave the telecommunications company with just 162 employees.

''It's no secret that Touch America has been struggling to stay cash-flow positive, and this was part of that,'' McGillen said. ''We sold the last of our voice customer accounts last week, and as part of that all of the emp...