Eddie Bauer cutting jobs in Bellevue

Struggling retailer Eddie Bauer said today it has eliminated 193 jobs, including 71 at its downtown Bellevue headquarters.

The layoffs also include Eddie Bauer's information technology operations in the Chicago area, a distribution center in Columbus, Ohio, and a call center in New Brunswick, Canada. Together, they represent a 15 percent reduction in the company's non-store staff.

Eddie Bauer now employs about 390 people at its headquarters.

President and Chief Executive Officer Neil Fiske said the layoffs are part of a previously announced plan to cut up to $15 million from the company's operating cost structure this year. Eddie Bauer cut as much as $50 million last year.

Calling the fourth-quarter retail environment "brutal," Eddie Bauer also announced recently that it will reduce the size of its board from 10 to seven members and freeze salaries.

Layoff notices went out Wednesday and took effect today, said Tom Helton, senior vice president of human resources. Severance packages generally are one week of pay for every year of service, Helton said.

Also, the company announced today that Fiske has volunteered for a 10 percent cut in his annual salary.

Amy Martinez: 206-464-2923 or amartinez@seattletimes.com