STRUGGLING CONVERSE CUTS 10% OF STAFF AT MA OFFICES

          In its "latest round of job cuts," MA-based Converse
     "handed pink slips" to 30 local workers, according to Greg
     Gatlin of the BOSTON HERALD.  Converse spokesperson Mike
     Bennett, on the cuts: "At this point we're not going to get
     into specific details about the positions or about why they
     were eliminated."  Gatlin notes that the cuts come while
     Converse "grapples with declining sales and market share." 
     The 30 workers "represent about" 10% of the North Reading,
     MA, staff.  Converse laid off "about" 70 workers last summer
     in Lumberton, NC (BOSTON HERALD, 1/14).