LA County Rapid Response will be conducting a virtual Transition Support Session Wednesday, September 23rd at 2p for recently displaced employees of General Atomics. Local employers will aso be on hand to discuss available job opportunities in both Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. Experts will also be available to discuss Unemployment Insurance, COBRA and 401K options. Register at https://example.com/3k877DZ or contact Kyndra Kinnard kkinnard@jvs-socal.org 818.267.7775.
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General Atomics ASI is in trouble with many mismanaged project now dead in the water this company is bleeding both talent and money. As someone has said January 2021 is going to be a sad time for that company simple due to the fact that their platform is just not what our Great country needs to fight a more capable enemy such as China and Russia. the first wave was just to mitigate a problem that this company dug its self into and its entirely the fault of management hiring too many people for a program that was certain to be in the hands of GA. I'm associated with the company in more ways then i wish to say and frankly GET OUT while you still can. this first wave of layoffs was designed to not only get ride of people but to scare others into quitting. that is way you only saw a 6% reduction of force. Come January 2021 the second and more shocking wave of layoffs will happen and it will be far more than 6%. Those who were let go in the first wave will get the jobs from some of the local defense contract companies and when its your time you may have loss the opportunity to get into a great company that is far better managed and will have say in the next drone of the future. Skyborg program envisioned by the air force will be far too expensive and GA just got ride of some of their brightest engineers because the sh– bags in management feared them.
It comes down to “generating revenue” whether it’s a public or private company. When employees are charging to indirect overhead it’s a burden, an employer may allow this for short periods. I observed a good number of individuals charging to indirect overhead instead of direct charge numbers for a good part of this year, I am surprised it was only 5%. Waiting for 2nd wave early next year
The majority of names I have heard were women.
Meanwhile they continue to hire in some areas. They continue to invest hundreds of millions in R&D. They continue to purchase commercial real estate (they own dozens of buildings in Poway that are purchased by GA corporate through a company called Sorrento Enterprises and lease them back to themselves). They continue to spend hundreds of thousands on buildings that are empty. Where is the thought to reduce costs rather than get rid of people? Make WFH permanent, get rid of the buildings and overhead costs, reduce waste!
Apparently, the signs of this layoff were more present at one of the high desert locations then it was at the location I worked at. As others were saying there were rumors going around like there has been in the years past. The popular belief among GA higher ups, is that rumors like that can cause acceptable downsizing and attrition was the preferred means rather than opting for layoffs. This was why so many people were caught off guard by this. In the months leading up to August 26th, I heard one co-worker mention layoffs and he gave a closely accurate number of the amount of people that were going to be let go. So I’m 100% sure this was ironed out sometime in the beginning of 2020 even before we fully understood the scope of the pandemic. Prior to the 26th when I was reviewing my companies monthly brief, I noticed that a second brief was scheduled for the 28th of August. This was rather odd because they only gave out briefs once a month and in my 5 years, I have never seen this. The second and more telling indication was those who were deployed stateside were called back for no reason. Even then it did not occur to many that this was going to happen. On that faithful day, just prior to me being laid off I was talking with my co-workers and we were trying to figure out how they were going about choosing who gets the cut. At first, it appeared it was performance based, because we heard that most of the day shift people that got let go, were under performers - I felt some sense of relief for what it was worth. Then we noticed two employees with many years of service to the company and were the backbone of our department being led away. It was then that my heart stopped, and I fully realized the scope of what was happening. I consciously noticed that my supervisor was unable to look at me but after that fact it became apparent that I was going to suffer the same fate as others have earlier. This was the first layoff of my entire life! And frankly I did not image how hard it was going to be and frankly I would not wish any of those emotions on anyone!!! From my department/shift 18 people were let go myself included and I was shocked to see the other 3 people that walked into that room, one was a friend and was an inspiration to me and was one of the reason why I had a successful untarnished record at GA. Our meeting was cold the director and his HR rep read from a script and the meeting lasted no longer than 15 minutes. there was no appreciation it was the blandest cold hearted 15 minutes of my life brought to you by a company who leaders were dishearten by these decisions! The hardest part was saying goodbye to my co-workers I have deployed with them and worked with them for so many years. To lower management to the one supervisor that could not look me in the eyes, just know if you ever come by this post that in life sometimes doors are closed rather abruptly, this can very well mean that this can open the doors to a new opportunity that is more fulfilling. I already have GA well behind in my rear-view mirror, and I have faith that despite this dark time, there is hope. I am Driven, love Aviation and have more INTEGRITY than those who made the decision to layoff so many solid workers!!!
The lay off that recently happened was truly a reduction in force. They got rid of people who either doesn’t know what they are doing or don’t put out the effort in their work. There are some management and some production workers that got the sad news which says about the company doesn’t discriminate. You need to show results to stay in the game!!
GA did not take care of its people! Very little notice and very little explanation. No wonder you are failing with such a terrible HR process. Upper management and leadership needs to rethink how they treat their loyal family. Sad sad leadership! Good luck with your future. I hope your remaining employees see your true colors.
This is true, alas nothing last forever. For the people saying it is unjust, cold hearted, need union representation. Look around you. Millions have gone unemployed nationwide even with representation. GA had contract that ended therefore no available work for multiple people. Sure COVID, is a part of it, but he lucky we lasted till August. I’m fortunate to have worked somewhere great.
Race has nothing to do with it. I know that there were at least 3 Directors and many Managers involved as well. I was with the company for 4 years and have many friends of color that are still there - I, however was let go. Luckily for me a friend was let go earlier in the day so when I had my “call” - working remote - I was mentally prepared for what was happening. It is finally hitting Me today.
With union representation, this would have been handled smother. We were told in a very scripted way as well. They gave us no details only to call HR if we had questions. The worst part was No one was even able to say or ask anything. I agree with this being done in a very cold and impersonal manner. Leaving a bad taste and a terrible feeling for us not impacted.
news broke about the airforce pulling contract earlier this year and yet. the CEO told everybody not to worry. look where we are at now? they knew this was coming
LOL, you just don't give up do you? UNION, UNION, UNION! Check out the downvotes you get, no one wants your rhetoric. I've been there for a couple of decades, it's a great company. I may go in the next wave and I'll still recognize that that company did more for me and thousands of employees than any union could accomplish. If 630 people were cut today due to bloat, how much more bloat do we need with a Union siphoning the money as well. There isn't a thing a union could/should do if the real cause is a slowdown in production. Without tipping my hand, I know the actual cause and it really was a slowdown in production and orders. They tried to keep as many jobs for as long as they can after Covid hit and orders stopped rolling in. The fact that we made it to August is amazing. No union could do a thing about that, unless the union needs to place an order for planes. Back to Chicago with you.
6% of the workforce got impacted today
Mainly aircraft production floor workers. Also happening in Adelanto location.
yikes!
I vote for union representation. HR is no help, they turn a blind eye. Ask HR a question and see how quickly they deflect a safety concern.
This is definitely a sign of the times and part of the current mainstream media rhetoric, but this layoff was NOT racially motivated in any way. It's really tough when people lose their jobs and the impact it has on their families, but sometimes we have to accept that c-appy things happen in life out of our control. 600+ employees is a mass layoff, not just a few people that can be targeted.
I recall the Reader did a story on lawsuit accusing General Atomics of racial discrimination over the course of more than a decade. In 2018 does anyone else read the article.
Times are changing. Union representative is needed!!
Tidbits from those in the "know", layoff total was north of 600, it includes all levels of employees. This wasn't an after effect of the loss of the MQ-25 bid, but the fact that the air force has pulled out of future orders on the MQ-9, GA's bread and butter. Purely a financial decision to mitigate future financial losses. Defense sector in general has been hit hard with multiple layoffs industry wide, sad times.
Union showed up a few years back. The employees promptly kicked them out the door. If you work for GA you'll realize it is the best place to work whether you white, black, yellow, brown, or anything in between.
Racial is a non issue there. However your ethical and conscience are.
GA-ASI is the most NON-Racist company in the USA! Been here for 18 years... ACTIVELY seeking diverse employees. What can a company do if Afro-Americans don't pursue Engineering/Hi-Technology in proportion to their representation in the population? (12.5%?)
These layoffs were not done lightly, a last resort and every executive has a heavy heart for many impacted.
if you read the site rules any talk about politics, religion and race is not permitted.
Do not be surprised if mods nuke this thread.
Layoff has nothing to do with race, I am sure it is because they lost the MQ-25 contract 2 year ago. How can black people be considered for position if they not hiring?
last day at work is today, but I think they are receiving 2 months severance
I heard layoff at GA-ASI where announcements are given today to 600 people, last day at work two months from today.
There are managers/supervisors getting laid off also
I heard the same thing. Is it upper level or lower level. How about they lay-off upper management and let front line employees keep food on the table.
A GREAT time to start a union. Black people are still not being considered For a position nor do they have 1% on site, No hazard pay and to have layoffs and repost the same job with a new name is... It is time the employees get treated fairly. The time, hard work and dedication they put in will Reflect better with a union rep. Jesus please open the door for a union representative at GA. Amen!!