BAE to Lay Off 200 in NH

BAE Systems is laying off 300 employees companywide in response to changing staffing requirements, the defense manufacturing company confirmed Jan. 28.

Two-thirds of the job cuts, or about 200 employees, are expected to be laid off at the Nashua plant, which currently employs about 4,600.

In a statement released by the company Monday, affected employees will be notified by March 5. Other reductions will take place in Wayne, N.J.; Greenlawn and Endicott, N.Y.; Manassas, Va.; and Austin, Texas.

The company's statement reads:

“BAE Systems announced January 28 it is reducing its 11,000 employee workforce by 300 positions. This was a very difficult decision for our company, but a necessary response to changing staffing requirements and the overall economic climate for our industry. 

The reductions will occur at facilities in Southern New Hampshire; Wayne, New Jersey; Greenlawn and Endicott, New York; Manassas, Virginia and Austin, Texas and the positions impacted are spread across all job disciplines and businesses.  In Southern New Hampshire, our 4,600 workforce will be reduced by 200. 

Affected employees will be notified of this action by March 4.  Employees who are impacted are eligible for a comprehensive package of severance, health benefits and outplacement assistance in accordance with our company policy.     

While unfortunate, we believe the end result of this action will be a stronger, more competitive business able to continue to meet or exceed our customers’ expectations.”

In September New Hampshire's Congressional Delegation attended a highly publicized anti-sequestration rally at the Nashua plant, saying that if no deal were struck by lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to avert the so called "fiscal cliff" automatic sequestration would likely have an immediate affect on defense jobs at plants like BAE Systems.

The fiscal cliff crisis was averted with an 11th hour deal between Congress and the President on Jan. 1.

We've reached out to the current configuration of NH representatives in Washington, D.C., for comment and will update the story for you as soon as we hear back.

You can read the full story here in the Wall Street Journal.