Sun Microsystems cutting 200 workers as part of larger restructuring

Sun Microsystems is cutting 200 workers in the U.S. and Canada, including nine employees at offices in Bellevue. The layoffs were disclosed in a filing with the state of Washington, listing an effective date of mid-January.

The cuts are part of a plan by the Santa Clara, Calif.-based software maker to reduce operating expenses, with the Associated Press reporting last month that Sun's business is under "extreme pressure" due to the credit crunch and competition from IBM. Revenue is shrinking and losses are piling up.

In May, the company said it would reduce its workforce by 1,500 to 2,500 worldwide. It sent layoff notices to 1,000 employees in July.

The latest round of notices went out to 200 workers on November 6, said company spokeswoman Dana Lengkeek. She declined to comment on the number of workers impacted in Washington state. 

"Sun continues to make choices to align strategically, geographically and operationally with its plan for long term growth," she said in a statement. "Sun remains committed to maintaining a disciplined approach to meeting financial and operational goals."