Pomona : Aid for Laid-Off Workers

General Dynamics has set up a career assistance center to aid the 250 workers laid off at its Pomona division last week after the company failed to receive bids for $500 million in military contracts.

The layoffs affected those in non-manufacturing positions, including engineers and supporting staff, and were part of a cost-cutting plan to make the division more competitive, company spokesman Eric Solander said.

The center is assisting employees with job placement, counseling and resume-writing. Turnout at the center has been high, Solander said.

The layoffs are part of an attempt to reduce costs at the plant, which employs 8,200 workers. The last time the division had major layoffs was in 1981, when 200 employees lost their jobs.