Workers at Sikorsky’s Coatesville’s factory can breathe a sigh of relief as although the company announced on Tuesday that it will be cutting 150 jobs, none of them will be theirs, writes Luther Turmelle for Daily Local News.

Defense contractor Lockheed Martin which bought Sikorsky last year, announced plans to reduce staffing levels of its Mission Systems and Training division which includes Sikorsky in July.

“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,” said company’s spokesman, Paul Jackson.

However, the layoffs will not affect workers employed at Sikorsky’s Coatesville area plant in western Chester County. This is welcome news for employees which were hit with significant cuts in June last year, when Sikorsky cut 160 full-time positions along with 560 contractors at its Sadsbury plant west of Coatesville.

Related to Tuesday’s action, Lockheed Martin officials had previously started a “voluntary layoff” program. However, this came with the contingency that if the company failed to eliminate 1,500 positions at its Mission Systems and Training division this way, an involuntary reduction would follow. At that time, no numbers were given on how many people would be let go from Sikorsky.

Read more about the cuts at Daily Local News here, and check out previous VISTA Today coverage of Sikorsky here.