Union representatives said AT&T will hand out 100 layoff notices to employees today. The company is eliminating one-third of its Connecticut operators and is closing work sites in Old Saybrook and Waterbury. Remaining workers will be relocated to Hamden or New London.

"My heart goes out to these workers. Losing your job at Christmas time is a terrible blow. It means our fight for a strong contract is more important than ever," Bill Henderson, president of CWA Local 1298, said in a statement.

The union's contract with AT&T expires in April.

Calls for comment left with AT&T were not immediately returned.