Newport News, Va. - Newport News Shipbuilding President Matt Mulherin has confirmed that there will be layoffs at the facility over the next two years.
The reductions are an reduce spending due to a decrease in workload. The workload is expected to increase again in 2017.
In 2015, more than 500 people are expected to be laid off. In 2016, it will likely be more than 1,000 people. This affects both salaried and hourly employees.
"I'm kind of shocked because they've been hiring so frequently over the last 5 years and now all of a sudden it's a total reverse," United Steelworkers Local 8888 President Arnold Outlaw told NewsChannel 3's Todd Corillo.
The 2015 layoffs will occur in the fall and the 2016 layoffs will occur as the workload drops across the yard.
Click here to read Matt Mulherin's letter and FAQ's about the reductions
