ATK Space Systems to lay off 450 engineers, others
OGDEN, Utah - The phase-out of the space shuttle for a new generation of space vehicles means hundreds of layoffs in Utah. ATK Space Systems, a business unit of Minneapolis-based Alliant Techsystems Inc., told employees in a memo Thursday that as many as 450 engineers and factory workers will lose jobs in October. The company also blames the layoffs on the expected end of production for the government's Minuteman III ballistic missile program. The jobs will be lost at ATK headquarters in Magna and at manufacturing operations at Clearfield and Promontory. It's the second round of layoffs this year. The company let about 300 Utah workers go in March. The company also is seeking more defense or NASA contract work that could bring back some workers.
- Associated Press
Microsoft to let users pick rival Web browsers
BRUSSELS - Microsoft Corp. will offer computer users a choice of rival Web browsers to ward off new European Union antitrust fines, EU regulators and Microsoft said Friday. Microsoft said its proposal, if accepted by the European Commission, would "fully address" antitrust worries over its browser and "would mark a big step forward in addressing a decade of legal issues." The EU has charged the company with monopoly abuse for tying the Internet Explorer browser to the Windows operating system installed on most of the world's desktop computers. It welcomed Microsoft's suggestions and said it will evaluate the proposal and seek input from other browser makers and computer companies before making a decision. If approved, the proposal could be legally binding for five years. On the browser case, Microsoft is suggesting that users of Windows XP, Vista or its latest release Windows 7 who have Internet Explorer set as the default browser would see a Web page prompting them to pick from five of the most popular browsers in Europe. Existing Windows users would get the choice from a software update.
- Associated Press
