spacetoday.net: EADS space and defense unit to lay off 5,800

Posted: Tue, Dec 10, 2013, 6:30 AM ET (1130 GMT)
European aerospace company EADS announced Monday that it would lay off 5,800 employees from its defense and space unit. EADS said from its division, will which soon be renamed Airbus Defence and Space Division as part of a corporate restructuring and renaming effort, needs to make the layoffs to improve its competitiveness, citing a decline in business in traditional markets and a need to cut costs as a result. Some positions will be eliminated by not renewing temporary contracts, and other employees will be offered positions in EADS's aircraft and helicopter units, but between 1,000 and 1,450 employees will lose their jobs through 2016. The division, responsible for manufacturing of launch vehicles and spacecraft as well as various military systems, will also consolidate facilities it has in France, Germany, Spain, and the UK.