Is it "1,500" or "7,500"?

Question

Here's a passage from a local newspaper:

"[Name of the corporation] said last month that it would close its flsh-memory fabrication line in [name of the town] and said it would cut 1,500 local jobs as part of a 15 percent reduction in its global work force over the next two years. That would leave an estimated 7,500 wokers in [name of the same town]."

My question: first it said "1,500" jobs would be lost locally, then it said "7,500 wokers" in the town in which the company is located locally. I have to assume when it said locally it meant THE town. So is "1,500" jobs lost or "7,500", or did I mis-read something?

Thanks.

Raen

Seraphin · Accepted Answer

let me take a dab - as i am preparing for some standardized exam.
my take is only 1500 will be cut. while 7500 remains. that means there were 9000 to begin with in that town.

anyone else ? thanks

Raen · Answer

Thanks a lot Seraphin.

Seraphin while 7500 remains

So that's what the last sentence of the passage indicates? I did mis-read it then. I thought by saying "that leaves...." it meant 15% of the workforce was 7,500 workers. I was wrong. Thank you again.

Raen

Seraphin · Answer

don't take my word for it. wait for other people's response. i often make mistakes in understanding these sentences

CalifJim · Answer

"cut 1,500 local jobs" -- 1500 jobs (workers) gone - unemployed -- in that town.

"would leave ... 7,500" -- 7500 jobs (workers) not gone - still employed -- in the same town.

"15 percent reduction in its global work force" -- 15% of all the jobs (workers) world-wide.
CJ

Raen · Answer

Thank you Jim for confirming that. Serephin, you got it the first time around, I never doubted it because it made sense. Thank you both.

Raen

Is it "1,500" or "7,500"?

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