BATH, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - - General Dynamics Bath Iron Works Manager Matt Wickenheiser released this statement on Friday, September 23, 2016.

The company announced that it was eliminating 160 positions in the engineering and support organizations as part of ongoing efforts to be more affordable.

This action will result in 30 employees being laid off. The remaining reductions will be realized through retirements, transfers, resignations and canceled job postings. We regret the impact this will have on employees and their families.

Emily Cain reacts to Bath Iron Works layoffs announcement:

BIW has the best shipbuilders in the world & they keep America safe. I'm deeply worried about the families impacted.

— Emily Cain (@emilyanncain) September 23, 2016

This news comes just a week after an announcement was made Thursday, September 15, 2016, by the US Coast Guard that said Bath Iron Works will not be awarded a government contract to manufacture Coast Guard cutter vessels.

In the past, shipyard management had said this deal was crucial for maintaining current employment levels. In fact, they renegotiated labor contracts with unions here to try and cut costs to make their bid to the coast guard less costly. The contract was awarded to Eastern Shipbuilding in Panama City, Florida. That yard will produce a prototype ship and then could have at least $2.4 billion dollars of work secured, if more cutters are ordered.

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