WOW announces companywide layoffs

One day after news of large rate increases were announced, Lawrence employees of WOW were informed the cable, telecom and Internet services company also is implementing companywide layoffs.

Officials with Denver-based WOW plan to eliminate about 9 percent of the company’s workforce through early 2015. The company has about 3,000 employees. Debra Schmidt, system manager for WOW’s Lawrence operations, confirmed some layoffs will take place in Lawrence but declined to give other details

In a press release, WOW said the layoffs would affect all WOW functions and locations that the company operates.

“The company is making this change to compete more effectively and better position itself for future growth,” the company said through the release.

WOW is privately owned by Avista Capital Partners and operates cable systems throughout the Midwest and Southeast.