Wichita ? A union-initiated cost-cutting effort has persuaded Raytheon Aircraft Co. not to send electrical work to Mexico  a decision expected to save 320 jobs in Wichita, the company said.

Since October  when the union learned that Raytheon Aircraft was considering sending wire harness work to Mexico  members of Machinists Local 733 have been working with the company to cut costs and improve quality on radio and electrical work.

A task force of union members, engineers, managers and others worked on a program to reduce the cost of making wire harnesses for Raytheon’s King Air business jets.

Management backed the plan, and now the team will roll out the processes to other lines.

Raytheon Aircraft chief executive Jim Schuster said he was impressed by the efforts.

“They earned it,” Schuster said.

“They have my deepest respect and appreciation for the example they have set.”