OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Oshkosh Corporation announced Thursday that its Defense segment plans to reduce its workforce in Oshkosh by approximately 250 to 300 hourly positions in December.
In addition, about 70 salaried positions will be eliminated.
Executive vice president John Urias blamed significantly lower U.S. defense spending. Oshkosh produced thousands of vehicles during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but both those conflicts are have been or soon will be phased out.
The company said many of the job cuts will involve temporary workers. Also, those who retire or leave will not be replaced.
Oshkosh said it has gone to "great lengths" to keep the impact of the job cuts as low as possible.
The firm also said it would work with state and local agencies to help those affected find new jobs.
After the new layoffs, the Oshkosh Defense division will still have over 1,800 total employees.
(Additional reporting from Wheeler News Service)