Numerous news sources reported, yesterday, Sept. 8, that the BAE Systems’ plant in West Chester announced that it would reduce its workforce by an additional 300 positions.
The company sent out its official press release earlier and it reads:
BAE Systems to Reduce Workforce at its Cincinnati Area Business
BAE Systems regrets to announce that it will be reducing its workforce at its Platform Survivability business, located in West Chester, OH by approximately 300 additional positions. The reductions will begin in mid-September, and will continue throughout the remainder of the year.
The reductions are due in part to the loss of some key contracts, including the U.S. Army’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) contract, but leaner defense budgets and a challenging global economy are also contributing factors.
“It’s never easy to make reductions as we realize the impact these decisions have on our employees and their families. Although it is disheartening, we must face the fact that in order to remain competitive, we must control costs and align and adjust our business to current customer needs and production requirements,” said Don Dutton, vice president of BAE Systems’ Platform Survivability business.
BAE Systems remains committed to its employees, and will provide advance notice of layoff to those affected by the reductions. Each employee will be offered a severance package which includes severance pay, benefits and outplacement assistance. In addition, displaced employees will receive information on various assistance programs through Butler County and the State of Ohio to help them through this transition.
“These have been difficult months, and I would like to say that nothing we do would be possible without the many contributions by our dedicated employees. Despite the on-going changes our business is experiencing, they remain committed to the important work we do in the Cincinnati area for our servicemen and women,” added Dutton. “We would also like to thank the residents of West Chester, the Township of West Chester, and the City of Fairfield for their support and encouragement during these challenging times.”
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, after the reductions, BAE, which employed about 1,800 at the start of this year, will have reduced employment to about 850.
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