Dave DeWitte, CR Gazette –
CEDAR RAPIDS — Rockwell Collins eliminated 100 positions companywide in its third round of workforce reductions related to cutbacks in domestic defense spending.
The position cuts were announced in scattered locations of Rockwell Collins’ Government Systems division earlier this week. The largest concentrations were 30 positions in Cedar Rapids and another 30 positions in Richardson, Texas.
Smaller cutbacks were announced in two locations that focus on simulation and training services in the Government Systems business. They included 10 positions in Sterling, Va., and 12 in Binghamton, N.Y.
Rockwell Collins spokeswoman Pam Tvrdy said the cuts are not the result of any particular defense program cancellation, but are generally related to reductions in United States defense programs. It is the third round of positions cut as the company responds to and anticipates reduced defense orders.
President Barack Obama announced a new military strategy last week that provides for $487 billion in cuts over the next decade. Another $500 billion in cuts could result if Congress makes good on deeper reductions it has discussed.
The cutbacks follow a decade of heightened defense spending that began with the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and the official end of the costly Iraq war.
Rockwell Collins’ business is split about equally between defense and commercial markets. Its work force reductions so far amount to a small fraction of the company’s global work force of about 20,000, but could continue.
“We’re continuing to monitor the environment and adjust the work force as needed,” Tvrdy said.
