x
Breaking News
More () »

BAE Layoffs to Start Next Month

JESSUP —  A plant in Lackawanna County that has produced military equipment for 45 years will be closed by Christmas. BAE Systems said its plant in Jessup...

JESSUP --  A plant in Lackawanna County that has produced military equipment for 45 years will be closed by Christmas.

BAE Systems said its plant in Jessup will close by December 18, leaving the final 111 employees without a job.

BAE produced lightweight helmets and protective vests for the U.S. military.

The company says the reduction of troops being deployed overseas resulted in less demand for BAE products manufactured in Lackawanna County.

Layoffs at the factory in Lackawanna County will begin next month and continue through December.

BAE makes products for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps.

A spokesperson says the contract that was supporting the facility in Lackawanna County ran out.

Many neighbors said they're quite surprised at the news of the closing. They thought BAE was the sort of workplace that would be around for a long time.

In October of 2012, BAE seemed like the place to be for job seekers lining up in Lackawanna County. The defense contractor was looking for more than 100 people to make helmets and armor.

Almost three years later it's a very different story.

A spokesperson says the work on that $48 million government contract is done and plant is closing. More than 100 jobs will vanish.

The news is hitting hard at a nearby diner.

"(Jobs at BAE) are very precious," said Tanya Coccetti. "The more they put up there, the more business. We are right here."

Coccetti says the Eatery by Jessica is the sort of place where customers feel like family. She's been waiting tables there for 20 years.

Not only is the loss of jobs at BAE tough for her to watch, she expects it will hit her pocketbook.

"I always say that the people pay my bills, they feed me, they take care of me, so it's very sad."

There are a number of vacancies in this industrial park and now another space is up for grabs.

A spokesperson for BAE says the layoffs will happen in four phases beginning in September.

A Mid Valley School Board member says September is a tough time for kids to have a parent lose a job, but the district will do its best to help with counseling.

"It will at least get them through it. It's certainly not going to do anything for them financially, but at least it will make things easier for them," said Jerry Luchansky.

The BAE spokesperson says there are jobs available at the company's other facilities. The closest are outside Binghamton, New York and near York, Pennsylvania.

Before You Leave, Check This Out