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120 layoffs at Dassault Falcon in Little Rock


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Updated: 6/05/2009 10:25 pm Published: 6/05/2009 5:21 pm
Another Little Rock company is hit by the lagging economy. According to a management level official with Dassault Falcon Jet, the company laid off about 120 workers Friday.

I’ve seen cars drive up and some time later those same cars leave. A few workers stopped and confirmed lay offs are taking place but they declined to comment on camera. Again we're told by a management official at the Little Rock facility that 120 people got pink slips today.

A management level official at Dassault Falcon Jet in Little Rock called the day black Friday. The reason more than a hundred people lost their jobs.

The official we talked to says it's a sad day with the economy taking a toll on the jet manufacturer orders are down.

Dassualt employs about 2500 workers here in Little Rock. The center paints and completes interiors of jets before they're delivered to customers. Andrew Ponzoni the Corporate Senior Communications Manager for Dassault told us by phone that "they're evaluating staffing levels in relation to the workload."

All of this comes as a surprise to workers. The company kicked off a $20 million expansion project here in Little Rock about two years ago and they thought the company was doing well.

Some say the first sign of trouble was when they came in this morning and the lay offs started happening this has left many wondering how they'll support their families. Ponzoni says the company expects to issue a press release at 6:30 this evening. No word yet on if more lay offs will take place.

Dassault Falcon statement

Dassault Falcon announced today the layoff 111 workers from the Little Rock Completion Center. Another 42 workers have taken advantage of an "early out" program bringing the Center's total workforce to 2100 employees, about the same as it was in early 2008.

"Each and every person affected by this layoff has been a valued member of our team and helped to contribute to our growth and success," said John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon. "While we recognize the unfortunate impact this decision has on our employees and their families, we must face the reality of today's market conditions and the significant challenges they pose to our industry."
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upset son - 12/4/2009 6:45 PM
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The part that is truly sad about the layoffs is that CEO's and upper management at companies all across the U.S and not just Dassault, are willing to destroy lives and uproot entire families instead of letting go of a summer home or buying a new yacht. These workers try everyday to do their best, whats best for their families and companies just dont care about the effects of their actions. I speak about the hardships from experience, my Dad was one of the unfortunate ones to lose his job today. I understand the need for certain measures, and the fact that not everyone can be pleased with the decisions that have to be made in this terrible economy, but this is the same economy that Dassault Falcon hired many of these individuals in. They have kept the layoffs quite and presented an excellent picture to the community but the truth is that now close to everyone they have hired in the past two years are unemployed and left wondering whats next for their families. All I ask of anyone who reads this is to ask yourself, If this was my family how would I tell them that I dont matter in the grand scheme of things? How would I tell my children we will have to move to find work? And for many kids it wont be the first time...and yes it hurts every time we children are forced to go through these changes. Please just ask yourself these simple things, be honest with your answers and keep them with you, because someday you might find yourself in the position to make difficult decisions and change the lives of many people. Remember that for most employees, one at work equals two, three, maybe even more mouths depending on that person and the effects could be devastating to the family. To many people these days are checking their morals at the door and doing whats easy instead of whats right.
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