IN THE FACE OF RESTRUCTURING, EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY WILL BE CUTTING APPROXIMATELY 40 WORKERS FROM THEIR WORKFORCE IN THE MODEL CITY. EASTMAN SPOKESWOMAN BETTY PAYNE SAID THE COMPANY IS UNDER A MANDATE TO PREVENT BUDGET INCREASES FOR 2009. SHE SAID A TARGETED RESTRUCTURING IS UNDERWAY AT THE COMPANY. IN ORDER TO CUT THE JOBS, OFFICIALS SAY MANAGERS WILL USE A COMBINATION OF RETIREMENTS, LEAVING POSITIONS UNFILLED, AND LAYOFFS OF CURRENT EMPLOYEES TO REDUCE THE COMPANY’S KINGSPORT WORKFORCE. THE CUTS REPRESENT LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF THE KINGSPORT WORKFORCE. PAYNE SAID NONE OF THE AFFECTED JOBS ARE IN THE OPERATIONS SECTOR. THE REDUCTION IN STAFF IS EXPECTED TO TAKE PLACE BY THE END OF THE YEAR.