ITT Exelis cuts another 75 workers at Roanoke County plant

The Associated Press

9:15 a.m. EST, January 27, 2012

ROANOKE, Va. (AP)—

Another 75 workers at ITT Exelis' plant in Roanoke County are losing their jobs.

Company spokesman Ken Darby tells media outlets that ITT Exelis eliminated 75 salaried positions on Jan. 19 and Jan. 20. Seventeen people accepted voluntary severance packages and the remaining workers were laid off.

Earlier this month, the defense contractor laid off about 300 hourly workers.

Darby says the layoffs are due to reductions in federal defense spending.

The plant produces night vision goggles and other military equipment. It employed about 1,400 people before the cuts, including 975 hourly workers and about 435 salaried workers.

Darby says no more layoffs are planned.

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cxxi121 at 6:19 PM January 27, 2012

When we lose any job here or even around here it has a devastating effect on all envolved. There is a blame here and it ends in the inbox of our dearly beloved fake president. On the way to his inbox are the fingerprints of Exelis executives and union management who did not plan for this type of event. It is perfectly O.K. for Barry to let a Defense organization bomb because of his hate for the military industrial complex and what it stands for. While the Defense contractors are failing Barry is dolling out money to "green" losers left and right. He also spends untold millions on other of his pet money wasting projects. Excelis is guilty of poor planning or maybe even poor communications from the Defense Department but it is Barry's fault for the overall problem. Bet we all know our dearly beloved cannot do anything wrong no matter what it is. He is perfect and like Teflon. Oops, maybe we should protect that company next.

gandolf at 11:27 AM January 27, 2012

Try reading this if you are able to Hokie.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va, — Defense contractor ITT Exelis announced cuts Thursday at its plant Roanoke County.

A company spokesman said the final number of affected employees has not been determined. The cuts are expected to take place in early 2012 and will affect both hourly and salaried workers. About 1,400 people currently work at the plant that produces night vision equipment.

The cuts are in response to forecast reductions in defense spending, according to company spokesman Ken Darby. Darby said they are not related to the recent spinoff of ITT's defense contracting business, which created a new company called ITT Exelis.

The union, IUE-CWA Local 82162, got word of the layoffs Thursday.

The local president, Bobby Keener, says he doesn't know how many layoffs or any details.

Keener also said that it's a strong union and that it will survive.

Hourly and salaried workers will be affected.

That announcement was made Dec 1st 2011 but why would you know that. You're to lazy to do anything but blame Obama.

I guess bringing a war to and end and cutting defense budgets because of that are a terrible thing. Idiot.

Hokie007 at 10:01 AM January 27, 2012

Thanks Obama!

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ITT Exelis cuts another 75 workers at Roanoke County plant

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