NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) - Newport News Shipbuilding, the largest industrial employer in Virginia, is laying off 314 salaried staff employees and moving about 120 managers to lower-level positions, according to the company president.
In an email to workers, President Jennifer Boykin said the layoffs were “very difficult decisions,” media outlets reported. They mark the shipyard’s first layoffs in five years.
“It is important to stress that our future remains strong even in the midst of today’s news. We will continue hiring for specific, critical positions,” Boykin wrote on Friday. But she added the reductions “are necessary cost controls to help ensure the future of our shipyard and the affordability of the ships we build.” She wrote that it would also reduce the number of management layers.
Newport News Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of Huntington Ingalls Industries, employs roughly 26,000 workers, according to a company fact sheet. The company designs, builds and refuels nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and designs and builds nuclear-powered submarines.
Charles Spivey, president of United Steelworkers Local 8888, said the layoffs didn’t affect any employees in the union’s bargaining unit.
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