Company Says Production Will Not Be Affected

Certain employees of Cessna have been offered the opportunity to voluntarily retire in what the company calls an effort to cut costs.

The program is open to employees 55 and older that are not involved with the production of airplanes, according to a report appearing in the Wichita Eagle. Company spokeswoman Stephanie Harder said that hourly workers represented by the Machinists union are not being asked to consider the plan.

Harder said that "production levels are not being changed," the paper reports. She added that there are still employment opportunities listed with the company.

An employee who opts for the package would work for another month, with the effective date being May 3, and Harder said there is no set target for the workforce reduction.

Some 8,200 people are employed by Cessna, with 5,800 of those working in Wichita. Harder said the retirements are not being driven by hard numbers. "It's about reducing the current indirect costs overall."

FMI: www.cessna.com