Anonymously contributed:
From the Santa Fe New Mexican:
557 LANL workers accept buyout
By Roger Snodgrass | The New Mexican
3/26/2012
Los Alamos National Laboratory announced today that 557 people will leave their jobs under a voluntary separation program. The number falls within the range of 400-800 employees lab officials said they needed to reduce the likelihood of involuntary layoffs.
With some job categories excluded, most of the approximately 7,600 employees in the regular workforce were eligible to apply for the separation package, which provides up to 39 weeks of severance pay.
The largest group, 258, were in the professional categories, including finance, information technology and records management, 152 were in research and development. There were 74 manager, 59 technicians and 14 support employees.
Laboratory officials have said the plan would be the least disruptive option for lowering costs and gaining flexibility during a time of budget uncertainties. Among areas of concern, the authorities pointed to an erosion of purchasing power, lower than normal rates of attrition in recent years, funding decreases for the current year and additional reductions anticipated for next year, including a five-year deferral for a major construction project.
Employees who applied for the separation arrangement were given a five-day window during which they could change their minds. Their last day on the job will be April 5.
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Almost 600 regular lab employees, most highly trained professionals, were smart enough to take the severance offer and get the heck out of LANL before the sclerotic "science lab" facade collapses due to the cancerous grow of the lab's bureaucracy. Smart move!
I wonder what McMillan and Knapp will do for their encore?
That still leaves up to 243 employees that get RIF'd. My ex-wife works on a team made up primarily of men. Roughly 3 months ago, the team was informed that if there was a RIF, some of them might be ‘at risk’. When upper management got wind of this, they tried to down-play it, but you can’t un-ring a bell. Then, along came the VSP: one of the team members was declared ‘ineligible’, though he fully intended to volunteer for it. Over coffee one morning, my ex-wife was chatting with the ineligible guy, and he said “I would gladly change places with you: I WANT to leave and can’t—you want to STAY and may not get to.” Then it came to both of them at the same time: how about a ‘buddy system’ for the VSP/RIF? Every ineligible employee that wants to take the VSP would pair up with a potential RIFee—the ineligible person is able to take the VSP and their ‘buddy’ is protected from being RIF’d…a win-win for both people. Why can’t LANS management consider something like this? It’s certainly a more ‘caring’ approach than the fiasco they’re going through now. LANS ought to be doing EVERYTHING they can to reduce the number of people they have to RIF, especially if there are others ready and willing to volunteer. But then, LANS isn’t in the business of caring for their employees—they’re in it strictly for the money. This would have never happened at LASL 15 or 20 years ago.
In total, 612 employees volunteered who were eligible, and of them 55 then rescinded. Following a management review, all eligible applications were
accepted. So on April 5th, 557 employees will depart the Lab. As I have stated in prior messages and all-employee meetings, the VSP addresses only
part of our budgetary challenges. We will now assess what further actions need to be taken.
I will discuss the results and our next steps in greater detail during an all-employee meeting scheduled for this Thursday, March 29, at 1:30pm in
the Pete V. Domenici Auditorium at the NSSB.
Charlie McMillan
In this message Charlie is leaving the "door open" for a non-voluntary RIF. Charlie wants that hanging over our a heads a few days to make sure we know "who's our daddy".
This would have never happened at LASL 15 or 20 years ago.
March 26, 2012 5:55 PM
a) It hasn't been LASL for more than 30 years.
b) RIFs were a periodic occurence during UC management, the last being in 1995 (actually 2 that year).
This would have never happened at LASL 15 or 20 years ago.
March 26, 2012 5:55 PM
a) It hasn't been LASL for more than 30 years.
b) RIFs were a periodic occurence during UC management, the last being in 1995 (actually 2 that year).
March 26, 2012 7:15 PM
c) When did LASL or LANL "exclude" workers from a VRP? When?
Anonymous said...
This would have never happened at LASL 15 or 20 years ago.
March 26, 2012 5:55 PM
a) It hasn't been LASL for more than 30 years.
b) RIFs were a periodic occurence during UC management, the last being in 1995 (actually 2 that year).
March 26, 2012 7:15 PM
Neither of your points addresses or negates March 26, 2012 5:55 PM's comments.
Now wasn't that nice for 13% of the LANS Managers to skip out of Dodge? Not one Division Leader, Deputy Division Leaver, Group Leader, or Deputy Group Leader was "excluded" or prevented from accepting the VRP, yet they "excluded" Technicians, Engineers, etc., before they made their exit. That was mighty courageous of them! Hell, even the Managers don't like working at LANS.
Now wasn't that nice for 13% of the LANS Managers to skip out of Dodge? Not one Division Leader, Deputy Division Leaver, Group Leader, or Deputy Group Leader was "excluded" or prevented from accepting the VRP, yet they "excluded" Technicians, Engineers, etc., before they made their exit. That was mighty courageous of them! Hell, even the Managers don't like working at LANS.
March 26, 2012 7:29 PM
McMillan should have required any LANS Manager that selected a "exempt" worker to exempt himself or herself. Only problem, no on would been "exempted" with this Policy. Good!
Now wasn't that nice for 13% of the LANS Managers to skip out of Dodge? Not one Division Leader, Deputy Division Leaver, Group Leader, or Deputy Group Leader was "excluded" or prevented from accepting the VRP, yet they "excluded" Technicians, Engineers, etc., before they made their exit. That was mighty courageous of them! Hell, even the Managers don't like working at LANS.
March 26, 2012 7:29 PM
This get's to heart of why this VRP "excluded" list was not only unfair, but likely unlawful. Leave it to Marquez, The Most Un-interesting Man in the World".
This get's to heart of why this VRP "excluded" list was not only unfair, but likely unlawful. Leave it to Marquez, The Most Un-interesting Man in the World".
March 26, 2012 7:42 PM
Oh you don't know Marquez, he think he's a real Casanova. I understand he's quite a on-line dating kinda guy. He contacted my girlfriend a few years ago through a on-line dating service. Cabron!
March 26, 2012 7:17 PM asked
c) When did LASL or LANL "exclude" workers from a VRP? When?
LLNL, in the mid-1990's. Workers with critical skills were identified and excluded from the retirement incentives. I believe it was a DOE requirement, because they were paying the incentives.
The requirement included a rule that anyone who was awarded the buyout could NOT be replaced. I know of one skill area where we were short of people and planning to hire, but we did not exclude that area. When one of our people took the incentive, we were not able to repace that person, nor were we able to hire the one we were planning to hire.
The lesson was that if you do not exclude the people you really need, then the organization can end up missing skills it needs.
At March 26, 2012 7:29 PM, Anonymous said...
"Now wasn't that nice for 13% of the LANS Managers to skip out of Dodge? Not one Division Leader, Deputy Division Leaver, Group Leader, or Deputy Group Leader was "excluded" or prevented from accepting the VRP, yet they "excluded" Technicians, Engineers, etc., before they made their exit. "
Other writers on this blog are complaning that the number of managers is growing to rapidly at the labs. I would think that a Reduction in Force policy that reduced the number of managers but kept technicians and engineers would strengthen a lab that was downsizing, and would be welcomed by many of the employees.
c) When did LASL or LANL "exclude" workers from a VRP? When?
Don't know about LANL, but Mid-90s, I tried to take the VRP at LLNL, and was over-ruled by my Division Leader due to "critical skills". I kinda doubt that was legal, but I was young then and not thinking of the legalities of things.
At March 26, 2012 9:05 PM, Anonymous said...
...I tried to take the VRP at LLNL, and was over-ruled by my Division Leader due to "critical skills". I kinda doubt that was legal,...
I am no lawter, but I notice that if you google ["voluntary separation " excluded severance] you can find lots of examples of similar programs, so it is probably legal.
Just to clarify: I was not in an excluded category, I opted to take VRP, was accepted for it, then retroactively excluded by my DL.
"I would think that a Reduction in Force policy that reduced the number of managers but kept technicians and engineers would strengthen a lab that was downsizing, and would be welcomed by many of the employees." (8:31 PM)
--
Wakeup, 8:31 PM. Everyone of those LANL managers who took the VSP will have their positions filled by either someone from Bechtel or by someone already at the lab eager to grab a piece of the huge salary loot which LANS pays out to the lab's ever growing "management class".
Do you really think a Group Leader or Division Chief position is going to be left unfilled by LANS? Dream on.
We've lost a bunch of Technical Staff Members who won't have their position replaced, but every single lab manager who took VSP will have their positions filled.
Result? The crazy ratio of LANL managers to "worker bee" TSMs is about to become even more out of whack, as hard as that might be to imagine!
FTE labor rates for the remaining (and smaller) group of TSMs who stayed behind will go even higher to help pay for the richly paid management class. The "worker bee" TSMs will also have their project funds hit-up with new tax burdens to help pay the huge VSP severance bill that is about to hit, leaving even less money to fund regular TSM positions. Bummer.
And to top it off, there are the 10% defense budget cuts coming down the pike on Jan 1st due to the deadlock of the Congressional Super-Committee. Yes, kiddies, its gonna be a ton of fun keeping your job funded at LANL as a regular TSM over the next couple of years.
Any guesses what McMillan is going to announce on Thursday?
Will he go for the 800 reduction number and decide to continue onward with plans for involuntary layoffs?
Any guesses what McMillan is going to announce on Thursday?
Will he go for the 800 reduction number and decide to continue onward with plans for involuntary layoffs?
March 27, 2012 12:04 AM
It was very clear to me that McMillan is "going for broke", that is, he has us cornered and going to take the maximum number. Why not? No one or no body is standing in his way. Powerless employees and non-existent congress. Knapp will have it no other way.
"As I have stated in prior messages and all-employee meetings, the VSP addresses only part of our budgetary challenges. We will now assess what further actions need to be taken."
Charlie McMillan
Here's the scramble to the "top of the heap" in W-Division for those high-paying jobs and titles. Another layer of "several management appointments at work" getting raises for titles. What a bunch of vultures!
Colleagues,
I'm pleased to announce several management appointments within ADW that will allow the Directorate to effectively operate during the interim period until the selection of a permanent AD and successive positions are made.
First, Steve Renfro has agreed to serve as the acting Deputy Associate Director for ADW. In addition to this line management role, Steve will continue to serve as the Program Director for Directed Stockpile Work. In addition, James Owen has agreed to serve as the acting W Division Leader, and Derrick Montoya has agreed to serve as the acting Deputy W Division Leader.
These appointments are effective immediately. Please continue to provide your support to Steve, James, and Derrick in their challenging new roles. Thanks to all of you for your confidence and your continued dedication to our mission.
v/r, jb
John C. Benner
Associate Director for Weapon Engineering and Experimentation (Acting)
This LANS reorganization right smack dab in the middle of the VRP and possibly a RIF is not only ludicrous but asinine. "LANL Gone Wild"!
The pressure is on,a full 3 days of not knowing, stress on the already stressed out work-force. Oh what a nice work atmosphere! And then we do it all over again next year!
I do not understand why so many people actually volunteered to lose their jobs. Is the economy better than the media lead us to believe? Do these people already have other jobs lined up? Is management and the culture so bad that they would rather sit at home on unemployment? There can't be many other choices for jobs in the area. For those with kids in school and mortgages to pay, the northern new mexico community is not the best place to be layed off in.
I do not understand why so many people actually volunteered to lose their jobs. Is the economy better than the media lead us to believe? Do these people already have other jobs lined up? Is management and the culture so bad that they would rather sit at home on unemployment? There can't be many other choices for jobs in the area. For those with kids in school and mortgages to pay, the northern new mexico community is not the best place to be layed off in.
March 27, 2012 5:05 PM
All the VRP folks I talk to indicate they are being hired back at LANL as contractors, or as sub-contractors to Lab contractors. And the cycle continues without end. Not to mention Los Alamos County has the highest number of millionaires in the U.S.
I think Charlie will announce cuts to some contractors. I doubt there will be a RIF.
Not sure acting positions have any raise.
It's my understanding that those who took the VSP with the severance payouts are not allowed to do ANY work for pay for either DOE/NNSA or their labs. That includes working for lab contractors or their subs in positions that directly relate to NNSA projects. They are suppose to wait at least one year before any of this stuff is allowed.
I doubt any of those who took the VSP will soon be back at the lab receiving pay checks. They can come back as "guest scientists" who work at the lab without pay, but that's about it.
As to why so many took the deal in a bad economy... if you worked at LANL during the last few years and saw the decline with your own eyes, you would fully understand.
As to why so many took the deal in a bad economy... if you worked at LANL during the last few years and saw the decline with your own eyes, you would fully understand.
March 27, 2012 8:34 PM
Probably more important, if you are eligible to retire anyway, 39 weeks of severance pay is nothing to sneeze at (if you are a scientist or other professional making $150k, that is $112.5k on top of your retirement). Pretty sweet. I'd like to see the demographics of those who took the out.
Not sure acting positions have any raise.
March 27, 2012 7:36 PM
Baloney. They sure do! Looking at Knapp's reorganization, I'm estimating at least 15 Managers were promoted from the W and X-Divisions, filling spots all the way up the food chain (from ADs to Group Leaders). While the raises on these Acting positions vary exponentially as you move up, I'm estimating a few million total in raises. Another LANS cost-cutting initiative.
"As to why so many took the deal in a bad economy... if you worked at LANL during the last few years and saw the decline with your own eyes, you would fully understand."
Retirement/Attrition was low the past few years (after transition). Probably, the people that was near retirement, simply "double dip" (UC/retirement plus Lab/Salary) the past 2,3,4,5 years. Now, with a bonus/incentive ... they punch out.
Baloney. They sure do! Looking at Knapp's reorganization, I'm estimating at least 15 Managers were promoted from the W and X-Divisions, filling spots all the way up the food chain (from ADs to Group Leaders). While the raises on these Acting positions vary exponentially as you move up, I'm estimating a few million total in raises. Another LANS cost-cutting initiative.
March 28, 2012 4:34 AM
Another example of LANS pricing itself out of the "market". The Weapon Program takes a $300M budget cut and the first thing they do is make ourselves more expensive with an unnecessary re-organization. LANS (McMillan and Knapp) knows nothing about business or cost-effectiveness and worst, the customer (DOE/NNSA) doesn't care. These poor decisions will eventually drive LANL into the ground.
Rumors are floating about that LANS management will soon implement a new tax burden on projects that will be retroactive all the way back to the start of the fiscal year. It's going to be used to pay for the VSP severance those 557 former employees will soon be receiving.
This will, of course, leave less project funding for those who stay behind at LANL. It will also raise the FTE cost of the average TSM scientist at LANL to levels that are far above those of almost all other DOE labs.
With less project funding left, perhaps a RIF will still be necessary this year? I guess we'll find out on Thursday at Director McMillan's All-Hands meeting.
Any news from the Mcmillan All-Hands meeting today? Is an involuntary RIF going to happen?
Any news from the Mcmillan All-Hands meeting today? Is an involuntary RIF going to happen?
March 29, 2012 8:55 PM
McMillan declared there would not involuntary for regular LANS employees. [applause] He left the door open for contractors etc. [opps]. It was interesting that McMillan told employees "to follow the money, follow the money, ..." several times with regard to future job opportunities [Becthel speak!]. McMillan gave accolades to Rich Marquez for all his hard work and an unprecedented time [Barf!]. McMillan got cornered by a question regarding the justification for the "excluded" workers, which he only stated that "Senior Management thought long and hard about this and tried to minimize the number" [no consolation if you got excluded]. Beyond that the McMillan's presentation was mostly confusing, incoherent, and deceptive during questioning and appeared to end the questioning very quickly. [McMillan is beginning to sound like "slick Willie" and says ....auh, auh, alot]
McMillan gave accolades to Rich Marquez for all his hard work and an unprecedented time [Barf!].
March 30, 2012 12:23 AM
There's something about Rich Marquez that gives you the "creeps" when your around him. He gives women the "top to bottom" long glaring stare. I think he's a "cochino marano" as our Hispanic friends would say. I think Marquez concocted this "excluded" concept to keep himself (Marquez) around as the "Most Un-Interesting Man in World (aka LANS)".
Charlie McMillan was also asked how the massive severance payments for the 557 departing employees will be paid.
He estimated the bill will be $40 to $50 million. It will be paid for by applying even higher G&A taxes onto all the existing LANL projects that haven't yet run out the front door due to extremely high 'burdened' labor rates.
Spending is going to be be greatly squeezed over the second half of this year. Everything (travel, equipment, even paper & pens) will need to be heavily justified. The budgetary pain is about to greatly INCREASE, not decrease, for the rest of this fiscal year!
"Follow the money"... really, Charlie? That's your best advice?
I'm sure that's exactly what Charlie McMillan, Brett Knapp, Rich Marquez and the rest of the greedy guys & gals in the LANS executive management team have been doing for some time now. The LANS principle of "follow the money" has made them very wealthy.
* "Follow the money" and "Shoes that GRIP!" *
Bechtel-speak mottos for a once great scientific institution that has been destroyed by the carpet-baggers who now infest the place like unwanted fleas!
Actually, Charlie, if we were to "follow the money" we would have:
(A) Taken the VSP severance and left
(B) Moved to LLNL, where you have placed "the money" by handing off much of LANL's previous stockpile LEP weapons work, or
(C) Moved to SNL, where their tremendous support and growth for project diversity, particularly for WFO projects, has allowed them to grow and prosper.
The very worst place to "follow the money" would be at LANL. That is, unless someone wanted to "follow the money" into one of those high paying LANS executive positions that are handed out by LANS like candy to their friends. I guess that's what Charlie meant with his strange remark.
[McMillan is beginning to sound like "slick Willie" and says ....auh, auh, alot]
March 30, 2012 12:23 AM
Charlie "MIT" McMillan said "Uhhhh" or "Uhmmm" over 185-times in his recent 33-minute presentation, which included questions from the staff. That's about 6 "Uhhhs or "Uhmms" per minute. Very distracting! McMillan has extremely poor speaking and communications skills for a highly educated (MIT) guy making over $1M per year.
Charlie McMillan was also asked how the massive severance payments for the 557 departing employees will be paid.
He estimated the bill will be $40 to $50 million. It will be paid for by applying even higher G&A taxes onto all the existing LANL projects that haven't yet run out the front door due to extremely high 'burdened' labor rates.
March 30, 2012 11:23 AM
Wow, I was shocked when I heard McMillan say that!!!! I nearly fell over. I swore he said the Federal Government was going to pay for this? Did I miss something or is Charlie and crew (Knapp, Marquez) lying again? No, couldn't be.
Wow, I was shocked when I heard McMillan say that!!!! I nearly fell over. I swore he said the Federal Government was going to pay for this? Did I miss something or is Charlie and crew (Knapp, Marquez) lying again? No, couldn't be.
March 30, 2012 1:54 PM
It sounds like McMillan "screwed the pooch" on this. He thought DOE/NNSA was paying and now, only when asked, he tells us LANS is paying for it! What the HELL happened? What a F-up!
Charlie "MIT" McMillan said "Uhhhh" or "Uhmmm" over 185-times in his recent 33-minute presentation, which included questions from the staff. That's about 6 "Uhhhs or "Uhmms" per minute. Very distracting! McMillan has extremely poor speaking and communications skills for a highly educated (MIT) guy making over $1M per year.
March 30, 2012 1:47 PM
They say this happens frequently when your caught lying. People are swearing McMillan informed us that the Federal Government (DOE/NNSA) was paying for this. It sounds like LANS committed too fast and prematurely on this and DOE/NNSA finally bent them over. Ouch! I thought I heard McMillan scream last week.
To make matters worse, for those of you missed it, someone asked McMillan, if there was truth to the rumor that there were going to be more "reorganizations". He said "where there's smoke there's a fire" stating more cost effective: REORGANIZATIONS. Truth is, more Betchel folks need "positions within LANS". McMillan is clearly loosing control of this organization!
Spending is going to be be greatly squeezed over the second half of this year. Everything (travel, equipment, even paper & pens) will need to be heavily justified. The budgetary pain is about to greatly INCREASE, not decrease, for the rest of this fiscal year!
March 30, 2012 11:23 AM
If you think spending is going to be greatly squeezed, you haven't seen anything buddy. Workers are going to "squeezed" even worse to meet PBIs this year. People are working long and exhausting hours on the "3,706 Waste Program" to move 3,706 cubic-meters of above-ground waste at Area G to WIPP in the next 3-years, per agreement with the State. The work conditions are "atrocious".
From
"The world's greatest science"
To
"Follow the money".
My, how this once proud lab has declined under the for-profit LLC!
However, I think "Follow the money" would be a more appropriate phrase to place under LANL's latest logo. It fits the current conditions much closer. And instead of the current logo of a stylized atom, just go ahead and replace it with the Bechtel globe corporate logo.
However, I think "Follow the money" would be a more appropriate phrase to place under LANL's latest logo. It fits the current conditions much closer. And instead of the current logo of a stylized atom, just go ahead and replace it with the Bechtel globe corporate logo."
Is McMillan speaking in riddles and
metaphors to us? Is McMillan trying to be Deep Throat?
"The phrase, "Follow the money", said by the anonymous Deep Throat phone tipster, the source who leaked information about the Watergate Scandal to reporters Woodward and Bernstein."
Woodward contacts "Deep Throat", a senior government official and anonymous source he has used before. Communicating through copies of the The New York Times and a balcony flowerpot, they meet in a parking garage. Deep Throat speaks in riddles and metaphors, but advises Woodward to "follow the money".
Woodward and Bernstein connect the burglars to thousands of dollars in diverted campaign contributions to Nixon's Committee to Re-elect the President (CRP, or CREEP). Bradlee and others at the Post dislike the two young reporters' reliance on unnamed sources like Deep Throat, and wonder why the Nixon administration would break the law when the President is likely to defeat Democratic nominee George McGovern.
Through former CREEP treasurer Hugh W. Sloan, Jr., Woodward and Bernstein connect a slush fund of hundreds of thousands of dollars to White House Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman—"the second most important man in this country"—and former Nixon Attorney General John N. Mitchell, now head of CREEP. They learn that CREEP used the fund to begin a "ratfucking" campaign to sabotage Democratic presidential candidates a year before the Watergate burglary, when Nixon was behind Edmund Muskie in the polls.
So what does McMillan really want?
hmmmm
So what does McMillan really want?
hmmmm
March 31, 2012 8:44 PM
He wants you and your faux-relevant history lesson to just shut up and go away. And so do I. So you lived through the Watergate era. You think that makes you special? No, just annoying. Try to avoid thinking you are relevant.
That's it! LANS Mission Statement, given by McMillan himself: "Follow the Money, Folks, Follow the Money...!"
That's it! LANS Mission Statement, given by McMillan himself: "Follow the Money, Folks, Follow the Money...!"
April 1, 2012 8:01 AM
It's their Motto, Mission Statement, and Vision Statement.
At least no one can accuse them of saying one thing and doing another. That's how each of them lives. For a change, they are being completely honest this time.
"Try to avoid thinking you are relevant.
March 31, 2012 9:33 PM"
Well it is telling that McMillan is
not aware of the very negative connotations of the phrase "follow the money"
"Follow the money. I did and it's now bringing me in over $2 million per year!"
- Charlie "MIT" McMillan
Was that nice looking leather belt that Charlie was wearing along with his Italian grey silk slacks at the Thursday All-Hands a Gucci or was it a Louis Vuitton?
It was hard to tell from the "cheap seats" in the back of the auditorium.
It looked like Target to me. But why would that be relevant, exactly? Besides, the auditorium is general admission. Sit wherever the hell you want to.
March 31, 2012 8:44 PM
"He wants you and your faux-relevant history lesson to just shut up and go away. And so do I. So you lived through the Watergate era. You think that makes you special? No, just annoying. Try to avoid thinking you are relevant."
Are some down your luck loser living in your mothers basement?
As Newt said "take a shower and get a job". The world does not owe you a living or anything else for that matter.
Are some down your luck loser living in your mothers basement?
As Newt said "take a shower and get a job". The world does not owe you a living or anything else for that matter.
April 1, 2012 9:31 PM
Nope, I'm a retiree with 30+ years at LANL and a hefty pension, so I don't need to "get a job." I also lived through the Watergate era and don't feel a need to rub anyone's face in it.
P.S. My mother died over 40 years ago.
"Nope, I'm a retiree with 30+ years at LANL and a hefty pension, so I don't need to "get a job." I also lived through the Watergate era and don't feel a need to rub anyone's face in it.
P.S. My mother died over 40 years ago.
April 2, 2012 9:44 AM"
I think a much better description for you would be sad bitter nutcase who could not hack at the lab and now spends all their time blaming others for their own incompetence.
I think a much better description for you would be sad bitter nutcase who could not hack at the lab and now spends all their time blaming others for their own incompetence.
April 2, 2012 8:37 PM
Huh? Where or, more succinctly, from what dark orifice, did you get that conclusion? What exactly was "sad and bitter" about my post? What part of 30+ years and a hefty pension (without revealing too much of who I am or what positions I held) indicates "could not hack it at the lab"?? I have heard all this before from you, and you seem to take particular umbrage at anyone who posts any negative comment to any of your rants. I know who the "sad and bitter" one is - do you? I am happily enjoying my retirement and chuckling daily over the outright craziness going on "across the bridge." Such a toxic stew.
P.S. "Their" is plural. I am the only person posting this.
"April 2, 2012 9:24 PM"
So you are so happy and content with life that you have nothing better to do than attack your former workers at the labs and keep repeating how big a pension you have and that it is your pension than makes you happy? Think about this for a bit and you will realize that you just come across as a extremely sad and very very bitter person. We have all seen your type before and heard the excuses.
If you go back to the start I didn't "attack" anyone. I simply commented negatively about YOUR attack on Charlie Mcmillan. If you consider that an attack on you, then you are awfully thin-skinned (but we knew that). BTW, my pension doesn't "make me happy" it simply allows me to live a happy life. If you don't know the difference you should probably never retire.
I'm sooo glad I'll be leaving this toxic stew of bitter emotions and back-stabbing at LANL on Thursday with the VSP downsizing. Never again!
If you follow the money, then you should look to SNL, with a robust WFO program to dampen out the large swings in WP funding. For years SNL did well in WFO and kept most of their workforce in place. LANL had made gains in WFO funding for the past couple years, but all gains have been lost in the last few months under new managment.
Sandia has also had a "robust" number of contractors to toss with any budget swings that they have had. They have had several lawsuits filed by former retirees. Let's see how all you folks at Sandia like working for Bechtel when they toss Lockeed on their butts. Say it "BECH-TELL". You'll love it....
Would someone please tell McMillan to take a public speaking class or ask him to join the Toastmasters? This guy is an embarrassment. Do we actually let this guy roan around in public? Uuuhhhh, uuhmmmm. My God!
Would someone please tell McMillan to take a public speaking class or ask him to join the Toastmasters? This guy is an embarrassment. Do we actually let this guy roan around in public? Uuuhhhh, uuhmmmm. My God!
April 3, 2012 7:18 PM
But now he's got that cool little rock star mike! Follow the honey!
McMillan came across very indecisive in the VRP. Anyone giving Rich Marquez "free reign" to lead the VRP is demonstrating a complete lack of leadership.
uscurGod I am sick of whiners on this blog if it is so bad than leave. No one is forcing you to stay. I cant stand reading this blog and all the stupid comments. Stop complaining, man up and suck it up or get out. I get to have my pension after 30+ years and happily watch this toxic stew of misery. Not only do I have my pension but I also took the time to get real skills like hunting and fishing. Look what your PHDs got you now?
Not only do I have my pension but I also took the time to get real skills like hunting and fishing. Look what your PHDs got you now?
April 4, 2012 6:53 AM
Uh, a much bigger pension than yours? HaHaHaHa.
Not only do I have my pension but I also took the time to get real skills like hunting and fishing. Look what your PHDs got you now?
April 4, 2012 6:53 AM
Hey grandpa, good for you! Now get off this blog and go bait your hook, fire your gun, or what ever "get's you off".
Where is the blog mediator when you really need one? This thread could really use some serious pruning. Like all these incoherent and irrelevant posts from the "happy and peaceful place" , for example.
I could care less about LANL now I my pension allows me to live a happy life. Every time I get read the blog I hate what I see and want to puke.
April 4, 2012 7:57 PM
Mission accomplished.
It's April 5th, moving out day for the 557 employees who will walk out the front doors of LANL for the very last time.
Good luck with the rest of your lives! You made a wise choice. Ignore the screams and gnashing of teeth of your colleges who got left behind at the Bechtel privatized "scientific prison camp" (former LANL Director Sig Hecker). Oh, and you can now finally remove those famous "shoes that GRIP!".
It's April 5th, moving out day for the 557 employees who will walk out the front doors of LANL for the very last time.
Good luck with the rest of your lives!
April 5, 2012 10:25 AM
Oh bullshit. Every single one of the folks I know that are taking this VRP emphasized to me that they "will be back in a couple of weeks as a paid contractor". What is totally unfair is that McMillan emphasized these folks could not return in 1-year and yet most are cutting deals at the PAD level to return as contractors! So what was the point of "excluding workers" on the VRP other than to save money! Follow the money....
yep, about 25% of VSPers are back as "guest scientists" next week. The term scientist is used to cover politically connected secretary types (Chief of Staff, Deputy blah, blah, etc.), and any number of other special projects types, many beholden to Rich Marquez for their long and marvelous careers with no identifiable or marketable skill sets.
with no identifiable or marketable skill sets.
April 7, 2012 7:51 PM
If you use the term "skill sets" you have already been lost to the dark side. It is a meaningless marketers' phrase meant to make you think that the word "skills" is insufficient.
WEEK 1 DONE!
(The 39-week retire in place and collect 11.5% from those jokers plan)
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