Bill's Blog (Web Log)
This is my blog about all things Bill. My life and times as I struggle through life trying to justify my cycling addiction.
New Photos Uploaded
Submitted by Bill on Wed, 03/31/2004 - 3:06pm
Covenant not to Sue
Submitted by Bill on Tue, 03/30/2004 - 3:41pmJust got back from running at Maltby lakes. Today was filled with waiting for Fed Ex to bring me my amended "Covenant not to Sue" document. I finally got it and signed it. Well that's it for me at Sikorsky. I also did taxes and some general paperwork for this transition that I am going through. Tonight I hope Lisa calls to go to a movie ... Its cheap movie night. Oh well maybe Ill grab my rommie. Well its off to the showers and then for some picture posting. Take care all.
New Photos This Weekend
Submitted by Bill on Sat, 03/27/2004 - 7:36pmI just uploaded some new photos to Bills Photo Oasis. I went for a walk at Maltby lakes because i may never get a chance to after this summer. I got some great swan and geese photos and a couple water and Island shots as well. Mixed in are odd photos as i tried to get creative. Please feel free to go and rate them. i use this rating to decide on which photos would sell. Thanks in advance and also drop a note to give me pointers.
Sikorsky Aircraft Lays Off 100
Submitted by Bill on Fri, 03/26/2004 - 6:17amConnecticut Post (Mar. 26):
The grim reality of the U.S. Army"s decision to scrap the Comanche helicopter program hit hard Thursday when Stratford-based Sikorsky Aircraft laid off about 100 professional workers. "They were notified this morning," said company spokeswoman Sheena Steiner. Sikorsky President Steve Finger announced the layoffs in a letter to employees. About 700 Sikorsky employees were working on the Comanche project in Bridgeport. In the letter, Finger said more than 200 of them have been reassigned to other areas in the company. Meanwhile, Boeing Helicopters in Philadelphia also announced Comanche layoffs Thursday. Boeing officials said their cut is expected to be substantially less than Sikorsky"s, although a precise number was not available. Boeing has begun sending layoff notices to salaried workers, and is planning a more detailed announcement today. Boeing spokesman Jack Satterfield said the company also redeployed personnel, filled other open positions and shifted contract work to minimize the cuts. As for Sikorsky"s terminations, "They"re mainly engineering positions that were supporting the Comanche program," said Rocco Calo, secretary/treasurer of Teamsters Local 1150. None of the people were members of the union, Calo said. In all, about 100 union members were part of the Comanche project and they were part of the 200 moved to different jobs. In the case of the union members, the new jobs are in the blade area, said Calo. The Army allowed Sikorsky and its partner, Boeing, to continue limited work on several Comanche-related technologies through the end of September. After Thursday"s layoffs -- Steiner couldn"t give any information about effective dates or severance -- approximately 400 people will remain on the Comanche project. Steiner also could not provide details about when, or if, those Connecticut employees will lose their jobs. Also Thursday, Sikorsky notified the Valley United Way that it would not allow the media to attend the Valley CEO Summit, scheduled today at Sikorsky"s Stratford facility. Representatives from several media organizations, including the Connecticut Post, were scheduled to attend. According to Steiner, the company couldn"t accommodate the media "with all the business events [Marine One delay and the layoff announcement] that have taken place this week." In his letter, Finger wrote, "-- we are working very closely with the government and our customers to finalize the remaining details of the Comanche termination process and to maximize Sikorsky content in new initiatives within the Army"s long-term aviation plan." Sikorsky was trying to hang onto Comanche workers until it found out if it will win a $1.6 billion contract to build the new presidential helicopter fleet, said Calo. But Tuesday, the Navy announced it would delay the decision beyond the original spring deadline. That "kind of threw a monkey wrench into that plan," said Calo. At the Oronoque Shopping Plaza across from Sikorsky"s Stratford plant Thursday, four company employees said the job cuts weren"t a surprise. None of the workers wanted to be identified. The four workers also said more cuts will probably follow, because there are people wandering the halls of Sikorsky with nothing to do since the Comanche shutdown. Ultimately, all four said, the decision to delay the presidential award does not bode well for the company and charged the White House with playing politics. They said it is no accident that the decision may come after the November presidential election. "If this goes away from Sikorsky, it"s a slap in our face," one worker said. Some members of Connecticut"s congressional delegation also expected the layoffs. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-4, said the layoffs are an unfortunate consequence of the Army"s decision to drop Comanche. "We can"t be too surprised because we were told there would be layoffs." Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, said she had hoped Sikorsky could postpone layoffs until after the Marine One contract was awarded but the Navy"s decision to delay that announcement put the company in a difficult spot. "The cancellation of the Comanche helicopter program dealt a serious blow to Sikorsky, and our worst-case scenario is being realized," DeLauro said. The state"s two senators pledged to keep trying to get the Comanche program reinstated. "One layoff is one too many. Each of these workers has contributed greatly to the success of Sikorsky and it is my hope that no stone goes unturned by UTC [Sikorsky"s parent, United Technologies Corp.] in seeking to minimize the pain and impact of these cuts," said Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn. "The president"s ill-advised and foolhardy decision to cancel the Comanche is obviously wrong from a national security perspective, but also sadly, the worst possible medicine for Connecticut"s economic interests." Dodd and Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., said they would continue to fight to have Congress overturn the Army"s decision to cancel Comanche. "Sikorsky"s workers do not deserve to lose their jobs. I am committed to put them back to work by fighting for new helicopter contracts in the months ahead, including Comanche, Black Hawk and Marine One," Lieberman said. --By Pam Dawkins and Peter Urban. Staff writer Rob Varnon and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Sikorsky Has Eliminates Job
Submitted by Bill on Thu, 03/25/2004 - 7:47amThis morning around 11 AM I was terminated by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. My plans now are to set up unemployment. After that I will make a decision on what i want to do next. I am currently looking for a place to live and some buyers for my stuff I cant take with me. I need to sell my computer, bed, and mountain bike. If anyone knows of someone looking for such items let me know. Steve Finger (president of Sikorsky) wrote to us this morning:
Last Friday we received the official termination notice from the Army. As a result of the termination process, we already have reassigned over 200 Sikorsky employees from the Comanche program to other areas within the Company, consistent with skill requirements and demonstrated performance. We have eliminated contractor positions both in Comanche and other areas of the company. In spite of this, as a result of the termination notice, I regret to advise that approximately 100 Sikorsky positions are being eliminated.