http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/Stories/0,1413,206~22097~2050000,00.html
Layoffs to hit Azusa plant
By Kevin Smith , Staff Writer
Northrop Grumman on Monday announced plans to lay off more than 200
employees at its Space Systems Division facility in Azusa because of a
projected slowdown in work.
One hundred thirty-three of the layoffs will become effective April 9,
including 126 at the Azusa location and seven at a company facility in
Boulder, Colo.
Another 85 contract personnel will be let go through May 28, including 77 in
Azusa and eight in Boulder, company officials said.
The layoffs involve management, professional, non-exempt salaried and hourly
personnel and impact virtually all functional organizations within the
division, including engineering, manufacturing and administrative personnel.
"While unfortunate and regrettable, these work force reductions are
essential if we are to realize the operational efficiencies and cost savings
necessary for us to remain competitive in the space business over the long
term,' Salvatore Romano, vice president and general manager of Northrop
Grumman's Space Systems Division, said in a prepared statement.
Romano said "every effort' will be made to assist displaced employees in
finding work in other parts of the corporation or with other companies.
A corporate job-posting system, he said, will help them identify job
opportunities at other divisions and sectors for which they may be
qualified.
Company spokesman Tom Delaney said Northrop Grumman is anticipating a
shortfall in military space sensor systems work, including funding issues
for the U.S. Air Force's Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) High program.
"The contract funding for this program is winding down and the peak workload
has passed,' he said. "The expected workload for the near future does not
support the skills and manpower that currently reside in Azusa.'
Are additional layoffs expected in the near future?
"We don't foresee any,' Delaney said. "We're hopeful that this will be the
extent of any near-term work force reductions.'
If the company's financial condition is any indication, Delaney may be
right.
"Northrop Grumman is growing at a very substantial rate,' said Paul H.
Nisbet, an analyst with JSA Research Inc. in Newport, R.I. "They've been
growing through acquisitions. In 2000, they had about $7.6 billion in sales,
and our estimates for this year say they're on track to have $28.3 billion
in sales.'
With 1 million square feet of administration, engineering, assembly,
integration and test space, the 71-acre Azusa facility employs a total of
1,249 workers.
The Space Systems Division is headquartered in Azusa, with operations in
Boulder and Colorado Springs, Colo., and Baltimore, Md.
In addition to SBIRS High, other major division programs include the Defense
Support Program, the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental
Satellite System and the Joint Tactical Ground Station.
The Space Systems Division is a component of the company's Baltimore-based
Electronic Systems sector, which is engaged in the design, development and
manufacture of defense and commercial electronics and systems including
airborne radar, electronic countermeasures, space sensors, navigation
systems, communications systems, precision weapons, airspace management
systems, marine and naval systems, government systems and logistics
services.
--
Yang
a.a. #28
AthD (h.c.) conferred by the regents of the LCL
a.a. pastor #-273.15, the most frigid church of Celcius nee Kelvin
EAC Econometric Forecast and Socerey Division
Proudly plonked by Lani Girl and Crazyalec
The Bush 'balanced' budget: 1.2 trillion and worsening
The Bush 'economic' policy: -3 million jobs and counting
The Bush Iraq lie: -612 GIs, one friend's co-worker's son and mounting
Having Bush ***** up my country: Worthless
.
|
