Layoff Announcements Expected Friday

After learning of the departure of three top-level executives, employees at Hawker Beechcraft have been told the company is ceasing its 401(k) contributions to employee accounts, and that a workforce reduction will be announced Friday.

The Wichita Business Journal reports that earlier this week, George Nguyen, senior vice president for operations; Charles Mayer, vice president for marketing; and Gail Lehman, vice president, general counsel and secretary all announced their resignations Tuesday. In the same memo, Chairman and CEO Bill Boisture said he would be taking a 10 percent pay cut.  The following day came the announcement of suspension of the 401(k) match, which will be in effect through next year. The company said the benefit match would be re-evaluated in 2011. Employee contributions to health care premiums will also be increased in October.

Finally, the memo said that the next round of layoffs would be announced Friday. While most would come from what it called "non-bargaining unit employees", some union members could also be affected. Additional furloughs are also part of the package that Hawker Beechcraft says are designed to "match our business demands and revenues.”

FMI: www.hawkerbeechcraft.com