Story Created:
Jul 14, 2008
Story Updated:
Jul 14, 2008
Midwest Airlines announced Monday it will reduce its workforce by 1,200 employees, or 40%.
"It's a tough day here," Midwest spokesman Michael Brophy told Newsradio 620 WTMJ. "Our employees are some of the best professionals in the airline business."
High fuel prices and the grounding of the MD-80 fleet are to blame for the announcement. In a statement, CEO Tim Hoeksema said, "In order to successfully restructure, there is no way to avoid deep and painful reductions to our current work force."
The job cuts will be across all work-groups. Employees will begin being notified Monday. All the cuts are expected by the end of the summer.
The airline has been in talks with pilot and flight attendant unions about possible concessions. Union leaders had said the airline is close to filing for Chapter Eleven bankruptcy.
"Chapter Eleven is a place we don't want to be," Brophy said. "We'll continue to talk to our unions. We're making some progress but we're going to have to keep pushing."
Revisions to the flight schedule are expected this fall, but Brophy said passengers shouldn't be too concerned.
