ST. LOUIS - Ameren Corp. announced Friday that 300 staff positions had been eliminated through voluntary and involuntary separation programs, but a company spokesperson would not say if any positions were in Southern Illinois.

The cuts represent about 3 percent of the company's employee base and will be completely effective by the end of the year, ac-cording to a news release from the company.

In July and August, Ameren's merchant generation business segment announced 145 cuts, including 50 bargaining unit employ-ees. About 100 employees signed up for voluntary separation, and in early November, the corporation announced more than 50 involuntary reductions of non-bargaining unit positions.

Separated employees have been offered benefits providing either a lump-sum payment of two weeks' pay for each full year of service with a minimum of 13 weeks and maximum of 52 weeks of pay or benefits defined in labor contract provisions

Where applicable, separated employees will receive certain other benefits such as outplacement/financial planning assistance, health insurance premium subsidies and tuition reimbursement, the company said.