Some Production Workers To Be Reduced To Three Or Four Days Per Week

On the heels of last week's announcement of job cuts now affecting a total of 4,600 workers, the Cessna Aircraft Company unveiled an additional strategy on Friday to shorten the work week for some production workers.

The Associated Press reports affected employees were notified by managers in person of the planned cutbacks. Cessna spokesman Doug Oliver said, "The key is to keep inventory from building up and to make sure that we are producing only the parts we need to produce the number of aircraft we are going to produce this year."

Oliver said the shortened work schedule will commence on February 13, and is slated to continue for seven weeks. Other cost-cutting measures are being explored, including forced time off for some employees.

"I don't foresee a plant-wide shutdown, but details are being worked on specific future furloughs," Oliver said. "We think we are at a level -- given current economic conditions -- that will carry us through this year and perhaps even next year."

Wichita has seen cutbacks recently from its other aircraft manufacturers as well. Last week, Hawker Beechcraft announced the layoff of 2,300 workers, closely followed two days later by Bombardier Aerospace's layoff of 350 workers.

FMI: www.cessna.com