About 150 Workers Apply For Voluntary Leave

And now this, from the "mixed blessings" department. Cessna Aircraft sent out 60-day layoff notices Monday, in keeping with the Wichita-based planemaker's announcement last month that as many as 665 workers would be laid off after the first of the year.

However, thanks to about 150 workers who took voluntary layoff packages... not as many workers will be fired as originally reported, Cessna spokesman Doug Oliver told The Wichita Eagle.

As ANN reported, Cessna announced the layoffs November 12, one week after company CEO Jack Pelton warned of imminent firings due to the current economic crisis.

"In response to our current economic environment, we are adjusting our aircraft delivery plans for 2009," wrote Pelton in a November 4 memo to workers. "We will have a slight increase in total deliveries for 2009 as compared to 2008; however, this will be lower than what was originally planned. The plan will include an increase in the number of Mustang deliveries and a decrease in some of the other Citation models. We are also planning on fewer piston aircraft deliveries in 2009."

Cessna had originally planned to lay off approximately 500 workers in Wichita, and the balance at Cessna's recently acquired plant in Bend, OR that produces the Cessna (nee Columbia) 350 and 400. It's unclear how many 60-day notices were distributed at each location.

The Eagle adds Cessna will hold information sessions this week, to help all workers who will soon be leaving the company find placement at other jobs.

FMI: www.cessna.com