Pacific Bell Hiring Soars for Customer Service Jobs

Pacific Bell Hiring Soars for Customer Service Jobs

SBC Adds 4,000 California Jobs Since 1997 Merger

Los Angeles, California, March 15, 1999

Pacific Bell has added more than 1,000 new customer service representative and technician positions in the first two months of 1999 and is actively recruiting applicants for hundreds of additional new jobs.

The hiring surge is designed to enhance service and meet the soaring demand for telecommunications in California. Since the April 1, 1997 merger of SBC and Pacific Telesis, Pacific Bell and its affiliated companies have added more than 4,000 new jobs to its California payroll.

"When our companies merged less than two years ago, we promised to create 1,000 new jobs in California. In fact, we have exceeded that commitment fourfold," said Ed Whitacre, chairman and chief executive officer of SBC Communications, the parent company of Pacific Bell. "Meeting commitments is at the root of our operating philosophy; exceeding them is our practice. Creating so many quality jobs is yet another aspect of a merger that has been a win-win for California."

In 1997, the Pacific Bell companies added more new jobs than the net total of the five other largest employers in California combined, according to the state Employment Development Department.

Whitacre, who is speaking today to the Town Hall forum in Los Angeles, said that attracting quality employees is a top priority for Pacific Bell.

"Recruiting is especially important for us as we add more customer-facing positions to enhance the services that we offer," Whitacre said. "In today's competitive market, service will make the difference when customers choose a telecommunications provider."

Pacific Bell provides service, for example, to customers in seven languages. Many of the positions that are available will be for bilingual representatives.

The majority of Pacific Bell's new jobs in the past two years have been in customer facing positions, notably outside service technicians and service representatives.

The telephone customer service representative positions currently available and that will be added throughout the year are in residential service centers. Representatives will be trained to respond to calls from Pacific Bell customers and to answer questions on products and services.

Outside service positions are needed to keep pace with the demand for new lines and new services such as Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Lines (ADSL).

The positions range as high as $40,000 per year for experienced service representatives and $47,000 for experienced service technicians. The jobs are union-represented and offer benefits packages that include medical, dental and vision care, as well as a savings and pension plan.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to call 1-800-924-JOBS for more information on openings and the process for submitting a job application. Information is also available on the Web at www.pacbell.com/careers.

SBC Communications Inc. (www.sbc.com) is a global leader in the telecommunications industry, with more than 37 million access lines and 6.9 million wireless customers across the United States, as well as investments in telecommunications businesses in 11 countries. Under the Southwestern Bell, Pacific Bell, SNET, Nevada Bell and Cellular One brands, SBC, through its subsidiaries, offers a wide range of innovative services. SBC offers local and long-distance telephone service, wireless communications, data communications, paging, Internet access, and messaging, as well as telecommunications equipment, and directory advertising and publishing. SBC has more than 129,000 employees and its annual revenues rank it in the top 50 among Fortune 500 companies.

Pacific Bell Welcomes 675 New Employees at Opening of San Diego Customer Service Center

Center Expected to Employ More Than 1,000 in First Year of Operation

San Diego, California, March 25, 1999

Pacific Bell today welcomed 675 new employees to the company at the opening of its new customer service center in Sorrento Valley.

The new employees were recognized at today's ceremony by Pacific Bell President of Consumer Markets Michael Kaufman, Pacific Bell Regional President Dave Nichols, San Diego County Supervisor Pam Slater and San Diego City Councilwoman Barbara Warden.

Pacific Bell expects the center to employ more than 1,000 employees within its first year of operation, at which time Pacific Bell will be the second largest employer in San Diego County with more than 5,500 employees.

"Our decision to locate the center and ultimately more than 1,000 new jobs in San Diego reflects our long-standing commitment to this community and dedication to providing world-class service to our residential and business customers," said Michael Kaufman, President of Consumer Markets for Pacific Bell. "We welcome our new employees to the growing Pacific Bell family."

The service center employees comprise a large portion of the 1,000 new customer service representative and technician positions Pacific Bell added statewide during the first two months of 1999. Since the April 1, 1997 merger of SBC and Pacific Telesis, Pacific Bell and its affiliated companies have added more than 4,000 new jobs to its California payroll.

Pacific Bell also used the occasion as an opportunity to build on its long-standing commitment to education in San Diego County. Pacific Bell presented Slater with a donation to the San Diego County Office of Education in support of its book drive for disadvantaged youth. The donation will total one book for each new employee hired at the center by Pacific Bell.

"The link between job growth and education is a natural one, especially in the high-tech industry," said Slater. "On behalf of the county and of the children it will benefit, I am pleased to accept this generous donation."

Pacific Bell and the Pacific Bell Foundation last year contributed more than $5 million to the San Diego community, primarily in the areas of education, technology and economic development.

"Part of being a Pacific Bell employee is being active in the community - not only by setting the standards for telecommunications technology and customer service - but through what we call "sweat equity" - our commitment to rolling up our sleeves and offering our time and our resources," said David Nichols, regional president of Pacific Bell. "For these employees, that commitment starts their first day on the job with our continued support of education in San Diego County."

Councilwoman Warden emphasized the significant of the new jobs to San Diego County's overall employment picture.

"As we strive to encourage high-technology companies to locate in San Diego, Pacific Bell's commitment to growth sends a powerful message about the strength of our workforce and viability of our region as a high-tech center," said Councilwoman Warden.