Wither Eclipse?

No one was home last week to answer numerous calls and emails to provide an update on what is happening with Eclipse Aviation now that its staff has walked out for lack of payment. The news broke on Wednesday that payroll for the last two weeks ending November 12 met as announced at a company meeting early that morning. The move impacts about 1,400 workers.

KOBtv.com broke the story after disgruntled employees, who have already been through many fiscal cliffhangers in the past year, walked out. The fate of the company which has been struggling to find new financing, remains unknown as does the support for 200+ Eclipse owners who have already taken delivery. The service center in Albany, NY, was dark last week as the two dozen employees there were sent home.
“I asked them if they were declaring bankruptcy or restructuring, and the response was, ‘Eclipse is going to be around for a long time,’” Albany International Airport CEO John O’Donnell told the Albany Business Review. “They couldn’t give me details officially, but they’re indicating their business will continue, but offered no other explanation about the company’s present condition."

The $4.5 million facility at Albany opened in February but is owned by the airport, and leased to Eclipse for $319,000 a month. O’Donnell noted that Eclipse owes $26,500 for October’s lease.

Employees were each handed a notice with a toll-free number to see if they would be paid although no reason was given for the abrupt change, according to the KOB report.

The action comes after the company furloughed 650 employees of its 1,800 employees as part of last summer’s financial restructuring. Related Story

Employees expressed frustration and concern, not only about their jobs but about the pensions and leave time. They told KOBtv officials reported that they tried to find solutions to their financing problems overnight Tuesday and early Wednesday. While employees could keep working many simply moved out of offices.