NASHUA – Layoffs that were announced by BAE Systems in late January, totaling about 200 people in the region, began taking effect Monday.

The job losses are not related to last week’s forced federal budget cuts, known as the sequestration, according to spokesman Jeff Rose, but they are a reflection of a general tightening of defense budgets and the economy.

BAE Systems said in late January that it is reducing its workforce by 300 people nationwide, and the majority of those jobs will be cut from southern New Hampshire.

The reduction impacts BAE Systems’ Electronic Systems sector, which is headquartered in Nashua. BAE Systems employs about 4,600 people in southern New Hampshire; 200 of those will lose their jobs in the reduction.

Along with sites on Canal Street and Spit Brook Road, BAE operates facilities in Hudson, Merrimack and Lexington, Mass.

As for sequestration, the company said it was standing by its initial estimates that it could result in the elimination of 10 percent of its U.S. workforce, or approximately 4,000 jobs.

“At this time, we still do not know exactly how sequestration would be implemented for individual programs and await specific guidance from our customers. If and when we receive guidance on specific programs, we will fulfill all of our legal obligations to notify potentially impacted employees in advance of any action,” said Kristin L. Gossel, director of external engagement for Electronic Systems.

BAE’s Electronic Systems sector has 11,000 employees across the country. Job reductions also will be made at other facilities in Wayne, N.J.; Greenlawn and Endicott, N.Y.; Manassas, Va., and Austin, Texas.

Employees who will lose their jobs will receive a severance package, health benefits and outplacement assistance, in line with company policy, officials said.

BAE Systems employs 37,300 people in the United States and 83,600 worldwide, serving markets in Australia, India, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.

David Brooks can be reached at 594-6531 or dbrooks@nashua
telegraph.com. Also, follow Brooks on Twitter @GraniteGeek.com.

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