Windstream Announces Workforce Changes

Windstream (NYSE: WIN) is restructuring its workforce as it continues to transform to a broadband and business enterprise model.

The company plans to eliminate approximately 350 positions by the end of the year to offset revenue pressure in the residential voice business and to better align the company to focus on broadband and business enterprise opportunities.

"These changes are difficult because they affect people, but are necessary for Windstream to proactively manage the transformation of our business model and to continue our industry-leading financial performance,” said Jeff Gardner, president and chief executive officer of Windstream.

The company will seek volunteers, eliminate open positions and utilize attrition as part of the reduction initiative to minimize the effect of the changes.

Windstream expects to incur a charge of approximately $15 million in the fourth quarter to pay severance benefits to affected employees. Outplacement counseling also will be provided.

Windstream has approximately 7,100 employees.

About Windstream

Windstream Corporation is an S&P 500 company that provides phone, high-speed Internet and high-definition digital TV services to customers in 16 states. The company also offers a wide range of IP-based voice and data services and advanced phone systems and equipment to businesses and government agencies. The company has approximately 3 million access lines and about $3.1 billion in annual revenues. Windstream is ranked 4th in the 2009 BusinessWeek 50 ranking of the best performing U.S. companies. For more information about Windstream, visit www.windstream.com.

Information contained in this news release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to uncertainties that could cause actual future events and results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions that Windstream believes are reasonable but are not guarantees of future events and results. Actual future events and results of Windstream may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of important factors outlined under the caption "Risk Factors” in Windstream’s Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008 and in other company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.