By Brian Louis, Winston-Salem Journal, N.C. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
Aug. 20--R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc. has told employees that job cuts are coming, a spokeswoman said yesterday.
Figures will be released only in September or October along with the results of the company's extensive business review announced in April, said Carole Crosslin, a spokeswoman for Reynolds Holdings' main operating subsidiary, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
After months of speculation, Winston-Salem is bracing for a painful decision by the company that helped build the city.
Mayor Allen Joines hasn't received any official word but he said that it is possible that several thousand workers could lose their jobs. It's not clear from what departments, he said.
The pending cuts come on top of the company's announcement in December that it would eliminate 635 jobs, or 8 percent of its work force, to cut costs. Reynolds Holdings and Reynolds Tobacco now have about 7,500 employees, of which 5,500 are in the …
