Lockheed Announces Sikorsky Layoffs, Fate of Coatesville Factory Workers Still Unknown

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Lockheed
More layoffs are comming to Sikorsky at the end of next month, says owner Lockheed Martin.--photo via PRNewsFoto / Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company

The first major layoffs at Sikorsky Aircraft since becoming part of Lockheed Martin are expected to occur by the end of next month, but it is still unknown if any Coatesville factory workers will be affected, writes Howard French for Journal Inquirer.

Sikorsky Aircrafts became part of Lockheed Martin in November after the company acquired the helicopter maker from United Technologies Corp. for $9 billion. Recently, Sikorsky successfully won several military contracts, but the expected commercial orders have not materialized.

The Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training division that includes Sikorsky announced on Wednesday that 350 employees were laid off. However, none of those layoffs were from Sikorsky.

Coatesville’s Sikorsky factory saw significant job cuts in June last year before Lockheed took over, when 720 people were laid off as a result of the prolonged drop in oil prices.

Lockheed spokesman, Chris Williams, said that the company has yet to determine how many workers from Sikorsky will be let go and from where.

“We continue to conduct a thorough analysis of the Sikorsky business,” Williams said. “Although difficult, this action is necessary to ensure we remain competitive in the marketplace, secure future business opportunities, and keep our infrastructure appropriately aligned with customer demands.”

Read more about the planned layoffs at Journal Inquirer here, and check out previous VISTA Today coverage of Sikorsky here.

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