Newport News shipyard keeps mum on report of layoffs

Posted to: Business Jobs Newport News Northrop Grumman
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By Robert McCabe
The Virginian-Pilot
© November 11, 2010

NEWPORT NEWS

A spokeswoman for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News declined to comment Wednesday on a report on the website of the Daily Press that the shipyard planned to lay off more than 200 workers Friday.

“We have nothing to announce and we cannot comment on speculation,” said the spokeswoman, Margaret Mitchell-Jones.

The layoff report on the Daily Press' website cited unidentified sources.

Officials of United Steelworkers Local 8888, which represents the shipyard’s hourly workers, had not been advised of any layoffs, said Claude DeBerry, a union representative.

“We haven’t received a 60-day notice,” said DeBerry of the advance warning required by the union’s contract.

The shipyard employs about 20,000, making it the largest industrial employer in Virginia.

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A lot of business are top heavy

Submitted by tb35349 on Fri, 11/12/2010 at 8:09 am.

And most could use more labor production, but they can't afford them because the top earns too much.

If they were smart, they would get off their high horse, put some gloves on, and get some hands on experience. Show their worth.

Layoffs

Submitted by comonsens on Thu, 11/11/2010 at 10:36 am.

People make financial decisions based on their situation as they know it. Whether they are working, not working, have illness, etc. For an employer to refuse to comment on the possibility of 200 people losing their jobs is unconscionable. Give these workers the answers required to make informed decisions about their lives. If the rumors are false, say so. If the rumors are true, say so. And give these men and women as much upfront time prior to losing their incomes to make the decisions that will affect their lives. Corporate America has no heart.