The Lockheed Martin facilities in suburban Syracuse and Owego, N.Y. have had a tough few months. With a combined workforce of about 4,200 people, they're some of the region's biggest employers.
But they've been hit with two rounds of layoffs and just recently, a secret plan to close the Syracuse area site. In all, 284 employees have lost their jobs. Nearly 1,700 people at the Salina, N.Y. site would have gotten the ax if the radar and sensors factory had been shut down completely.Each time bad news has been announced, company spokesman Keith Little has had the same defense. In early August, he blamed:
Current business realities, including uncertain program funding, a delay in contract announcements, and an extremely competitive market.
When news broke on Oct. 16 of another round of layoffs, he gave this statement:
This action is necessary to address continuing challenges in our business environment, including continued uncertain program funding, delays in contract awards and an extremely competitive market. While the government shutdown did impact our business this action is independent from that event.
Then on Nov. 6 when specifics about the layoffs were released, Little had this to say:
This action, which was announced on October 16, 2013, is necessary to address continuing challenges in our business environment, including continued uncertain program funding, delays in contract awards and an extremely competitive market.
