BlackBerry maker to cut 2,000 jobs

In this July 12, 2011 photo, shareholders walk past protest signs outside the Research in Motion annual meeting in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. RIM is cutting 2,000 jobs as part of a cost savings plan announced last month.

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion is cutting 2,000 jobs as part of a cost savings plan announced last month and is shuffling some senior executives.

The job cuts amount to about 10 per cent of the company’s workforce. The Waterloo, Ontario-based company said on Monday it will notify affected employees this week.

It expects to give more information on the layoffs when it reports fiscal second-quarter results on September 15.

Also on Monday, RIM says it is naming two executives to take on different parts of the chief operating officer role. COO Don Morrison went on medical leave in June.

Thorsten Heins is being named chief operating officer (product and sales). Jim Rowan will become COO (operations).