AT&T announced this week that 230 operators in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin would lose their jobs in 2006, and over 100 operators in Illinois will also be laid off.

In Danville, Ill., 65 operators will lose their jobs when the office closes in March.

AT&T spokesman David Saltz told the Associated Press that the Danville jobs are among 151 operator positions in Illinois that AT&T plans to eliminate by March 16th. Besides the Danville office, directory-assistance offices in Libertyville and East St. Louis will also close.

In addition, 58 SBC directory assistance operators will lose their jobs on December 15, including 30 in Harvey, Ill.

“The reduction in the number of operator positions is due to a decline in business,” Saltz said. “Work force adjustments have been going on long before the merger. This is about matching the work force to a smaller workload.”