April 29--Cessna Aircraft is offering a voluntary retirement program for hourly employees as it aligns its work force with its reduced forecast for sales and production.
The action, coupled with a similar program for salaried employees announced last month, is expected to allow the company to make the majority of its work-force adjustments through voluntary means, Cessna's senior vice president of human resources Jim Walters said in a statement.
"The expertise and commitment of Cessna's workforce is unparalleled and any action we take that impacts our team, particularly reductions, is not taken lightly," Walters said.
The company said it aims to get about 180 workers represented by the Machinists union to take the voluntary retirement offer.
It also said that the job openings that are listed on the Cessna Careers website are still active.
Cessna employs 8,200, including 5,800 in Wichita.
The company said last month that it needs to reduce employment because demand for light business jets remains sluggish.
Contact Molly McMillin at 316-269-6708 or [email protected].
Copyright 2013 - The Wichita Eagle
