Some 750 Workers Given 60-Day Layoff Notices

Approximately 750 workers are being laid off by Textron aviation across the Cessna and Beechcraft divisions, but the announcement did not really come as a surprise. The 60-day notices that went out Wednesday were reportedly in line with or lower than expected job cuts at the Textron subsidiaries.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the layoffs affect salaried and hourly workers in management and non-management positions, though no further details were provided by Textron. About 750 employees total were idled, including about 575 in Kansas.

The two companies combined employ nearly 9,000 people in Wichita.

Teal Group aviation analyst Richard Aboulafia told the paper that the level of layoffs announced is not unreasonable for a scenario in which two healthy companies with full staffs merge, but that does not mean that it won't be painful. Both had cut workforces significantly in the past, and "they cut some important positions. They lost an awful lot or talent," Aboulafia said.

Most of those laid off cleaned out their desks and workspaces Wednesday, but they will continue to be paid for two months.

But as Textron shrinks its workforce, Spirit Aerosystems in Wichita is hiring, the paper reported. The company says it is looking to fill some 250 positions in the city.

FMI: www.textronaviation.com