Jun. 2--Harris Corp. laid off more than 100 employees in Melbourne and Palm Bay on Tuesday in its first big work force reduction in a decade, the company confirmed.

The Melbourne-based government contractor said the job cuts were related to some major programs that have wound down: its information technology work for the U.S. Census Bureau and its production of communications antennas for the commercial satellite radio industry.

No further cutbacks are planned for Harris' Central Florida operations, spokesman Jim Burke said. The company employs about 7,000 in Melbourne and Palm Bay in government and commercial electronics and communications technology.

The local cutbacks were part of a companywide work force reduction that is still underway, Burke said. He would not disclose the number of jobs that will be affected. The company plans to announce the actions as they occur.

Harris plans to take one-time charges of up to $352 million in its latest quarter -- $28 million of that related to work force cuts and other cost reductions.

The company cited the impact of the global economic slowdown, contract delays and other pressures on Department of Defense spending.

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