CAPE CANAVERAL — The first round of what are expected to be thousands of layoffs of space-program workers starts today, Friday, with 258 shuttle contractors losing their jobs in anticipation of the space shuttle's retirement next year.
In addition, nine employees of rocket-maker United Launch Alliance also received pink slips Thursday, along with about 70 security workers at Cape Canaveral Air Force station.
The 337 layoffs are the first of what local officials estimate will be 7,000 space-program job losses by the end of 2010.
The 258 shuttle workers were employed by United Space Alliance, which services the shuttle for NASA, and most volunteered to leave. About 20 more will be leaving next week.
According to USA spokeswoman Tracy Yates, the layoffs reflect the fact that there are only six shuttle flights left before the program is scheduled to end next year. She stressed that the losses do "not adversely impact" remaining shuttle operations.
United Launch Alliance, which makes and operates the Delta II, Delta IV and Atlas V rockets for the U.S. Air Force, announced last year that the company would consolidate its work force. The company will be left with 733 local workers after the layoffs become effective on Oct. 15.
Both USA and ULA are jointly owned by Lockheed Martin Corp. and Boeing Co.
The security job losses at the Air Force station were also expected after the Air Force decided to "in-source" its security operations. The 70 laid-off guards worked for Securiguard, whose one-year contract expired Thursday.
The Brevard Workforce Development Board has been preparing for the layoffs for over a year by developing partnerships and training opportunities, said spokeswoman Joan Van Scyoc.
She said that persons needing assistance should register on www.employflorida.com and then visit www.launchnewcareers.com to check the services available to them.
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