OCCUPY XEROX

WILSONVILLE CUT

Xerox began laying off employees at its Wilsonville campus Wednesday morning as part of a company-wide cut. 

The company did not release the number of layoffs, and spokeswoman Erin Isselmann called the number « relatively small » compared to the global workforce of 140,000 employees.

The Wilsonville campus, home to Xerox’s color printing group acquired from Tektronix in 2000, employs about 1,250 people.

« In our fourth quarter earnings report, we said there would be some restructuring, » Isselmann said. « This is part of that announcement. »

« In order to remain competitive, tough decisions need to be made. »

Today’s cuts hit the product research and engineering departments, Isselmann said.

When asked if more layoffs were on the horizon, she said, « all activity that was going to take place was immediate. »

WILSONVILLE WORKERS ON STRIKE

A contingent of Xerox printer manufacturing workers from Wilsonville, members of SEIU Local 49, joined with Occupy Portland protesters . Pictured above is unit president Brian Wood, 44, a 12-year employee at Xerox Wilsonville, showing strike support stickers and carrying a sign that says “Occupy Xerox.” Workers there voted two days earlier to authorize a strike.