USG work force to be cut by 500

CHICAGO -- USG Corp., North America's largest maker of gypsum wallboard, will cut 10 percent of its salaried positions for the second time in a year as a U.S. housing slump hurts demand. The reduction of 500 workers worldwide will result in $15 million to $20 million in charges, Chicago-based USG said Friday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company is offering voluntary severance benefits. The company said it will lay off employees if enough don't leave voluntarily.