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Hawker Beechcraft layoffs total 300
The Wichita Eagle ^ | 11/12/11 | Molly McMillin and Bill Wilson

Posted on 11/13/2011 2:37:04 PM PST by Evil Slayer

Hawker Beechcraft issued 60-day layoff notices Friday to 300 workers, the company said in a statement.

A source said the notices included 210 salaried and 90 hourly workers. The same source said there could be more layoffs sometime around February.

The company issued a statement saying that many of the employees were notified Friday of the cuts.

Hawker Beechcraft employs about 6,000 people, including about 4,700 in Wichita and 200 in Salina.

Some employees laid off were walked out the door Friday, although the company has said they would be paid for the next two months. The practice has been common in previous rounds of layoffs.

Hawker Beechcraft CEO Bill Boisture warned employees in a letter last week of the looming job reductions, which he said were necessary because the business jet market hasn’t returned as soon as expected. The company must adjust to the new realities, he wrote.

The cuts mean that the city will have to work aggressively with several hundred families to meet their needs, Mayor Carl Brewer said after the layoffs were announced.

“We’re always disappointed any time we lose any type of jobs,” he said. While the number of cuts “isn’t bad,” any time jobs are lost is a concern, he said.

Sedgwick County Commission chairman Dave Unruh said he’s disappointed about the layoffs in light of the trials facing the economy, but he respects the company’s right to make the decision.

“It’s a tough deal, but they’ve got to do what it takes to keep their boat afloat,” Unruh said.

Hawker Beechcraft, in its statement Friday, said it can confirm that its Kansas employment level after the workforce reduction will stay well above what its partnership with the state of Kansas requires. The company said it notified city, county and state officials before Friday’s announcement.

Last year, the state agreed to give the company $40 million in tax-exempt bonds to upgrade the company’s products, reconfigure operations and train workers. The city of Wichita and Sedgwick County together added $5 million. The agreement came as the company was considering moving work to Louisiana.

In exchange for the bonds, Hawker Beechcraft agreed to keep its headquarters and most of its operations in Wichita at least until Dec. 31, 2020. It also agreed to employ at least 4,000 in the state. Penalties don’t kick in, however, until employment drops below 3,600. Should that occur, payments would be reduced according to a formula based on the job numbers.

The city and state worked hard to keep Hawker in Wichita, Brewer said. City staff and attorneys will evaluate the employment numbers and check agreements in place, he said.

“In my mind, they’re still above the 4,000 … but we will aggressively check all agreements still in place,” Brewer said.

Hawker Beechcraft has been reducing its Wichita footprint as it works to close Plants I and II and move work to outside suppliers and to its facility in Chihuahua, Mexico, in an effort to cut costs. The company has said it’s cutting about 800 jobs related to that effort. Friday’s cuts appear unrelated to that plan.

On Oct. 31, Hawker Beechcraft issued 60-day layoff warnings to 100 Wichita workers and one Salina employee, according to the Kansas Department of Labor. Including the notices issued Friday, the company has issued 759 layoff notices this year.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events; Technical; US: Kansas
KEYWORDS: hawkerbeechcraft; layoffs; wichita
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My son has survived several layoffs but this one finally caught up with him. He works in the experimental department as an electrician (non-union) for Hawker-Beechcraft. The 300 consisted of 210 salary and 90 hourly workers. He was hourly. Although he got his notice last Friday, the company is working to find him and others a chance to stay on by next Friday. If they can relocate him to a different department by next Friday, he will be able to stay on. If not, he will be out the door.
1 posted on 11/13/2011 2:37:06 PM PST by Evil Slayer
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To: Evil Slayer

Gee... this couldn’t possibly have anything to do with Dumb0 constantly opening his yap about “corporate jet owners” and how wicked they are? Nah, nothing to see here (my cousin invested in new corporate jet development and between the economy and Dumb0 the Resident the sector is flat-lining).


2 posted on 11/13/2011 2:39:45 PM PST by PhilosopherStone1000
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To: PhilosopherStone1000

You hit the nail on the head with that one.


3 posted on 11/13/2011 2:41:37 PM PST by Evil Slayer (Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war)
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To: Evil Slayer
I didn't think Hawker/Beechcraft had that many workers left thanks to plastic face pelosi.
4 posted on 11/13/2011 2:45:47 PM PST by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: Evil Slayer

We have a Beechcraft - great plane.

Great American companies are being trashed by Obama - deliberately I think.


5 posted on 11/13/2011 2:54:17 PM PST by Aria ( "If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.")
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To: Evil Slayer

Prayers for your son.


6 posted on 11/13/2011 2:58:08 PM PST by onyx (PLEASE SUPPORT FREE REPUBLIC BY DONATING NOW! Sarah's New Ping List - tell me if you want on it.)
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To: FReepers; everyone; All



FReepathon Day 44!



7 posted on 11/13/2011 2:58:39 PM PST by onyx (PLEASE SUPPORT FREE REPUBLIC BY DONATING NOW! Sarah's New Ping List - tell me if you want on it.)
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To: Evil Slayer

I received a text message, Friday afternoon, my very dear friend was axed and led out the door. I have been reading the comments in the Wichita Eagle, http://blogs.kansas.com/aviation/2011/11/11/city-officials-hawker-beechcraft-layoffs-could-be-in-the-hundreds/. I was shocked to read about the quality control issues of parts being made in Mexico for aircraft. Also, what is the deal with awarding “Trophies” instead of pay raises or a bonus?

I hope that your son is relocated.


8 posted on 11/13/2011 2:59:57 PM PST by Capt_Hank (btu's...kcal's...to kJ's, but my activation energy is still high.)
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To: Aria

That may be, but ultimately it’s the cost of labor that’s killing the US aircraft industry...which is why HBC is moving to Mexico.


9 posted on 11/13/2011 3:01:15 PM PST by paddles ("The more corrupt the state, the more it legislates." Tacitus)
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To: onyx

Thanks Onyx.


10 posted on 11/13/2011 3:01:39 PM PST by Evil Slayer (Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war)
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To: Capt_Hank

Thanks for your concerns. He told us that they might be able to relocate him to their military contract department. But, of course they are taking a hit too. All we can do is hope and pray.


11 posted on 11/13/2011 3:05:01 PM PST by Evil Slayer (Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war)
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To: paddles

Oh great - airplanes built by Mexicans? That will inspire confidence.

Some things shouldn’t go to the lowest bidder.


12 posted on 11/13/2011 3:09:04 PM PST by Aria ( "If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.")
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To: Aria

In the meantime Boeing and foreign manufacturers like Embraer are moving into “right to work” states and creating new jobs.


13 posted on 11/13/2011 3:17:12 PM PST by paddles ("The more corrupt the state, the more it legislates." Tacitus)
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To: PhilosopherStone1000

That’s the first thing that I thought of also. Just like when the feeble nitwit slammed conventions in Las Vegas and bookings went down. Yet those imbeciles re-elected Harry Reed anyway.


14 posted on 11/13/2011 3:29:33 PM PST by packrat35 (America is rapidly becoming a police state that East Germany could be proud of!)
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To: Aria
I have lost two fairly decent blue-collar jobs directly to Mexico in the past 4 years. I don't see an American resurgence on any horizon in any future. I know I'll catch flak for this, but I am one conservative who is really glad he never had any kids.
15 posted on 11/13/2011 3:33:21 PM PST by Lockbar (March toward the sound of the guns.)
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To: Lockbar

With me, there is at least one more w/no kids for a long list of reasons.


16 posted on 11/13/2011 3:45:03 PM PST by wally_bert (It's sheer elegance in its simplicity! - The Middleman)
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To: Lockbar
I know I'll catch flak for this, but I am one conservative who is really glad he never had any kids.

I am one of those, too. I certainly did not see the waves of economic woes that we are seemingly stuck with now, but I am personally glad that my wife and I did not have children to have to contend with these worries today.

Just curious, though. Why would you expect to catch flak for your situation?

17 posted on 11/13/2011 3:53:11 PM PST by OldPossum
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To: Evil Slayer

I work in the avionics industry, so I see the slowing aviation industry. The problem with aviation is simply government. Get those bastards out of Washington and things will perk up quickly. There is money out there but it is afraid of being spent. For instance, we know that 30% of pilots within 5 years will retire but due to federal meddling in student loans, and other issues, even students are becoming rare.


18 posted on 11/13/2011 4:03:23 PM PST by CodeToad (Islam needs to be banned in the US and treated as a criminal enterprise.)
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To: Aria

I own a Beechcraft Bonanza and love it.


19 posted on 11/13/2011 5:41:59 PM PST by Poundstone (A recent Federal retiree and proud of it!)
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To: Poundstone

That’s what we have - a turbo. Such excellent planes!

I keep thinking that if the SHTF here that plane can get us to Panama. But probably Canada would be a better choice not counting the weather.


20 posted on 11/13/2011 5:58:21 PM PST by Aria ( "If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.")
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