Layoffs

Local businesses are gearing up for their busiest time of the year. But just how busy will it be with so many Kansans uncertain about the future of their jobs? "My husband works at Boeing and with the layoffs, I don't know if he'll have a job after the first of the year," Shannon Seballoz says. That was the last thing on her mind when she went into Best Buy Wednesday night.  But we ran into her as she was walking out with some new computer equipment and broke the news.

One-thousand layoffs in one week. Friday afternoon, Hawker Beechcraft announced it would lay off 350 employees.  Earlier this week, Cessna announced plans to cut 700.       But these cuts impact more than the aviation employees - it impacts the employees across the street too.       "We've already seen several rounds of this so its kind of just another blow," said one Hawker employee Friday afternoon.            This time around, Hawker announced 350 layoffs.

Few details are being provided as the Wichita superintendent John Allison prepares to announce “Phase three” cuts. Phase three will be building level cuts and will more than likely include teachers. In past cuts, Allison has held a news conference before anything is officially presented to the school board. A school spokesperson says that likely won’t happen this round. The spokesperson confirmed that layoff notices will begin going out this week.

By Megan Strader (WICHITA, Kan.) Two weeks ago, it was all cheers as Cessna gave people a look at what the company is adding to wichita, 1,000 new jobs. Fast forward to Wednesday and employees got a good look at what the company is taking away 500 of their jobs. "It's just disappointing and I think we should have known more about it sooner," said Gwen Welshimer, City Commissioner.  She was among the county commissioners and city council members who, combined, agreed to give Cessna $10 million to build the Citation Columbus plant.

(WICHITA, Kan.) Wichita's aviation manufacturers have passed on bad news to their workers this month, and that bad news could pass on to several more local companies.  On Tuesday, Boeing announced its plans to lay off more than 800 people through next year, bringing November's local aviation layoff total to more than 1,600. McGinty Machine Company makes parts for several aviation companies, including Boeing.  Don McGinty says his machine shop has plenty of work right now, but that could slow down after the first of the year.

Early retirements, layoffs and furloughs are all on the table to help Sedgwick County balance its budget.  The county needs to reduce its budget by $9 million in 2012 and $8 million in 2013. Sedgwick County Manager Bill Buchanan told commissioners during a staff meeting Tuesday that he'll bring recommendations to them in the next couple of weeks.  He says they are working out the details for early retirement packages.  He says he also thinks layoffs make more sense when compared to furloughs.  Buchanan says furloughs will only offer short term savings.  He says when crunching the numbers, even if revenues start to increase the county will not be able to catch up and balance the budget.  He says significant changes need to be made and commissioners need to decide how county government will operate from here on out. Buchanan says Wichita State will also conduct some focus groups with employees to also see how they feel about pay cuts and layoffs.  Commissioner Tim Norton says it may sound harsh, but this is a time when employees who excel and work hard will benefit and the ones who don't will likely be let go.  Commissioners Karl Peterjohn and Richard Ranzau says they understand where the manager is coming from, but they want everything calculated including the cost savings of furloughs.

by Megan Strader (WICHITA, Kan) Heading into work, Hawker Beechcraft workers say they don't know what to expect anymore. Andy Miller, a Hawker employee tells us, "It's kind of like a soap opera out here. You just listen to what people say and wait till something really happens. " And workers say rumors have only gotten worse since a letter was mailed out earlier this week talking about the company's financial situation. In it, Hawker Beechcraft's CEO puts it pretty clearly.

The September Labor Report shows the number of layoff reported monthly in South Central Kansas exceeded more than 1000 for the first time in over one year.  The data, tracked by the Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas, reports the current number of layoffs in the region at 18,492.  This is an increase of 1,271 layoffs since September 20, 2010. The majority of layoffs reported are from the aviation manufacturing industry.  In November 2008 the aviation industry accounted for nearly 41,600 jobs in the region.

By Kim Wilhelm (Wichita, Kan.) With Boeing cutting 800 jobs in Wichita next year, workers are wondering what help is available.  Boeing is not the only aviation company to announce layoffs recently.  Hawker Beechcraft and Cessna both plan on reducing the workforce in Wichita. After the September 11th attacks in 2001, Wichita saw a massive downturn in aviation jobs.  At that time, United Way of the Plains joined forces with local government, non-profit agencies and private businesses.

The impact of the sequester is hitting Wichita.  Starting tomorrow, the automatic spending cuts to Head Start kick-in.  The program offers free pre-school, child-care, and family services to lower income families. Five-year-old James Bruner has been coming to Child Start since he was three.  It's the local organization that runs the Head Start program in four area counties.  His mother, Elizabeth Bruner, says James isn't the only one to benefit from the program. "It has given me an opportunity as a mom to get out there and work and bring in another income, while he's at school," Bruner said.

One-hundred-25 Hawker Beechcraft employees received 60-day notices Friday. The statement given to employees says the layoffs are a result of balancing production rates with the changing environment. The 60-day WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification)  impacts both hourly and non-hourly workers in Wichita. Hawker says it will continue to initiate workforce reductions and furloughs when appropriate.  In May, Hawker filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Wichita has a big task ahead when it comes to balancing its budget.  Projections show the city would face more than a $5 million dollar deficit in 2013 and nearly a $7 million dollar gap in 2014. For more than three years the City of Wichita knew it would have a budget crisis to deal with in 2013 and 2014.  "The city council has made a lot of tough decisions during that time", said city manager Robert Layton. Layton says he's found a way to avoid any layoffs. The city will hold about 200 jobs vacant over the next two years.  That doesn't mean positions won't go away.  For instance, the city plans to eliminate eight police positions.  But the people in those jobs will be moved to one of the vacant positions being held open.

350 Hawker Beechcraft employees found out Monday they will no longer have a job.  The company handed out 60 day WARN notices at its Wichita facility.  WARN stands for worker adjustment and retraining notification. Hawker Beechcraft to layoff 350 people Hawker says it's in the process of synchronizing its production line which is prompting the layoffs.  "We continue to manage our way through a challenging and rapidly changing  environment while implementing transformations across our company.  While we have experienced success with our transformation, market conditions are requiring us to adjust our overall production cadence to help ensure the company will compete  effectively in the future," Chairman Bill Boisture stated in a news release.  Hawker Beechcraft committed in 2010 to keeping its aircraft operations in Kansas for 10 years as part of a $45 million deal with state and local officials.

Coleman laid off about 40 people Thursday. Sources tell Eyewitness News that a memo announced the companies restructuring efforts. Sources says the memo called it 'global reorganization'. We're being told today was the last day for about 40, maybe even 50 employees. Our sources say many of the employees have been with the company for decades. Employees were also told more positions will be eliminated in the near future. The restructuring also includes the sale of Coleman's propane facility in Maize.

An unknown number of Hawker Beechcraft employees were told today they would lose their jobs.  The company handed out 60-day warn notices. A machinist union representative says a total of 300 layoff notices were given including 210 non-union employees and 90 covered by the union labor agreement. Those include tooling, maintenance and sheet metal assemblers. Hawker released the following statement about the layoffs: "Hawker Beechcraft Chairman and CEO Bill Boisture informed employees on Nov. 4 that those affected by the reduction in force would be notified on Friday, Nov. 11. Most of these employees were notified today; however we do not have a specific number to share.

More than 80 years ago, Youthville started as an orphanage.  Today, it still helps Kansas children in need.  But it will have to do it with fewer employees, like Campus Director Stacey Winter. "I received a 60--day notice as well, just like the other employees,” Winter said. Winter is among nearly 80 employees in Newton who were told their services won't be needed next year.  Youthville President and CEO Shelley Duncan says this will leave less than 20 employees. "It's a significant cut,” Duncan said.

Few details are being provided as the Wichita superintendent John Allison prepares to announce “Phase three” cuts. Phase three will be building level cuts and will more than likely include teachers. In past cuts, Allison has held a news conference before anything is officially presented to the school board. A school spokesperson says that likely won’t happen this round. The spokesperson confirmed that layoff notices will begin going out this week.

Sedgwick County takes steps to reduce employees. The County Commission approved a voluntary early retirement package Wednesday. County Manager Bill Buchanan says 385 employees are eligible for early retirement and 202 are eligible for full benefits. He says between April 18 and June 6, these employees have the opportunity to take an early retirement. If they do take the option, there are two options. First, the employee can opt for the county to pay its portion of health insurance benefits for five years or until the age of 65. The second option is to be paid an additional 20 days of sick leave.