EVENDALE — Many employees at GE Aircraft Engines' Evendale facilities say they're saddened by the announcement of 800 layoffs in Cincinnati, but won't know until later this year whether they'll lose their jobs.

        Derek Fry, a production supervisor who lives in Liberty Township, said he's vulnerable to a layoff because he's worked for the company for only a year.

        “Nobody knows yet what the impact will be here in Evendale,” he said. “We're hoping things will pick up by the end of the year and we'll get more contracts.”

        Nick White, an electrician who lives in Colerain Township, doesn't think he's in danger of losing his job, but feels bad for others.

        “You hate to see it,” he said. “Times are tough. I'm hoping something will happen so that they won't have to lay off so many.”

        Norm Taylor will take advantage of the early-retirement packages being offered to those who are at least 55 years old and have worked at GE for at least 25 years.

        Mr. Taylor, an engineer who lives in Sharonville, said he's happy about the chance to retire early.

        “I'm out of here a year and a half early,” he said. “My wife retired last year and has just been waiting for me to retire.”

        Gary Jordan, president of United Auto Workers Local 647, which represents 1,100 production workers at the Evendale plant, said his members have seen job cuts before.

        In the early 1990s, before the last recession and production moves by GEAE, Local 647 represented about 6,000 employees.

        “They know enough to sit back and wait and see,” Mr. Jordan said.

        Staff writer Mike Boyer contributed.

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