570 jobs lost at Big Flats center
Citing cuts in the federal defense budget and a continuing weakness in its military helicopter business, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced Monday it will close its military completions center in Big Flats at the end of the year.
The Connecticut-based company’s decision means the loss of 570 jobs at the five-year-old facility on Kahler Road, where workers would customize Black Hawk and Naval Hawk helicopters sold to foreign governments. The decision also brings to an end Sikorsky’s high-profile history in Chemung County, and county officials say it will be hard to replace the lost jobs.
“This is very bad news and we’ll have to get on this right away,” said Chemung County Executive Tom Santulli. “We reached out and worked very closely with Sikorsky to make them comfortable. We spent a ton of time working with them, and I never would have guessed the defense cuts would have this kind of impact on us.”
The decision to close the facility was relayed to employees Monday afternoon at a companywide meeting. It was also announced in an e-mail to this newspaper from company spokesman Paul Jackson.
“Due to declining defense budgets and the continuing economic weakness in many markets, Sikorsky today informed employees of its intent to close the Sikorsky Military Completions Center, as of Dec. 31, 2012,” the e-mail read.
“Faced with these difficult economic conditions, we must eliminate excess production capacity and increase operational efficiencies to remain competitive. We will work with the employees to provide as much transition support as we can during this difficult time.”
“Obviously, the leadership and members of UAW Local 1752 are very disappointed with the news of the closing,” union President Frank Piper said Monday. “Our members have worked very hard to set the standard of excellence in our industry. We take great pride in producing aircraft of the highest quality at Sikorsky Military Completions Center and will continue to do so for as long as we have aircraft to produce. The union leadership will work with the company to assist our members in this transition.”
The Connecticut-based company’s decision means the loss of 570 jobs at the five-year-old facility on Kahler Road, where workers would customize Black Hawk and Naval Hawk helicopters sold to foreign governments. The decision also brings to an end Sikorsky’s high-profile history in Chemung County, and county officials say it will be hard to replace the lost jobs.
“This is very bad news and we’ll have to get on this right away,” said Chemung County Executive Tom Santulli. “We reached out and worked very closely with Sikorsky to make them comfortable. We spent a ton of time working with them, and I never would have guessed the defense cuts would have this kind of impact on us.”
The decision to close the facility was relayed to employees Monday afternoon at a companywide meeting. It was also announced in an e-mail to this newspaper from company spokesman Paul Jackson.
“Due to declining defense budgets and the continuing economic weakness in many markets, Sikorsky today informed employees of its intent to close the Sikorsky Military Completions Center, as of Dec. 31, 2012,” the e-mail read.
“Faced with these difficult economic conditions, we must eliminate excess production capacity and increase operational efficiencies to remain competitive. We will work with the employees to provide as much transition support as we can during this difficult time.”
Union reacts
The hourly workers at Sikorsky’s Big Flats facility are represented by United Auto Workers Local 1752.“Obviously, the leadership and members of UAW Local 1752 are very disappointed with the news of the closing,” union President Frank Piper said Monday. “Our members have worked very hard to set the standard of excellence in our industry. We take great pride in producing aircraft of the highest quality at Sikorsky Military Completions Center and will continue to do so for as long as we have aircraft to produce. The union leadership will work with the company to assist our members in this transition.”
