US aluminum giant Alcoa said Tuesday it would slash some 13,500 jobs or 13 percent or its global workforce and reduce output to cope with the global economic downturn.
Alcoa also said it was implementing a freeze on hiring and salaries.
The company said it would make "targeted reductions, curtailments and plant closures and consolidations" to reduce the number of employees by the end of 2009 by 13,500. An additional 1,700 contractor positions also will be eliminated.
"These are extraordinary times, requiring speed and decisiveness to address the current economic downturn, and flexibility and foresight to be prepared for future uncertainties in our markets," said Klaus Kleinfeld, president and chief executive.
