Monday, October 7, 2013
LLNL may shutdown on Friday
Rumor around LLNL is that it will shut down next Friday if no agreement is reached, aside from essential security personnel. Staff will be allowed to use their vacation time to remain on full-time status. If they run out or don't have enough, they will front you up to 40 hours. After that, you go on LWOP and no one is really sure how that will impact your benefits ... yet.
Parney is supposed to have an all-hands meeting Monday at 2 PM to address these issues. From what any of us have been able to tell though, even if you're on accounts that are fully funded (I have several that go through December) you will still not be allowed to work after next Friday.
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Question from LANL: How much in "reserve" money did LLNL have to cover this? We at LANL were informed we have 10-weeks in reserve money, about $450M. Just curious if your (LLNL) pending furlough is due to a lack of "reserve" money?
We at Sandia have been told that we have enough to work until the end up November, then we will take vacation after that. I hope congress comes to its senses before then.
Does anyone know how much reserve is required under the LLNS' contract? If the "reserve" is not what is required who is at fault?
As somebody who also works at LANL, I am wondering where the 10 weeks is coming from? I certainly have not been informed of this.
This seems to me a rumor, unless you can provide us with your information.
I remember the days, when every day someone predicted the imminent departure of the admiral, based on moving vans, lawn not being cut etc...
So please provide us with facts or shut the f up
October 7, 2013 at 1:24 PM said: "If the "reserve" is not what is required who is at fault?"
Yeah! And IF outer space aliens were really discovered at LLNL, who should be fired?
Geez....Tabloid posting, anybody? Let's speculate on who's at fault before we even know what's going on.
Per Parney's all hands at 2pm 10/7/13:
Worst case: we have to shut down on or about Sat 10/12, and all non-essential personnel (my words) go on leave without pay
Likely case: we will shut down on or about Sat 10/12, and non- essential personnel will be able to take at least 5 days of vacation; employees who don't have 5 days of vacation may be advanced 5 days. Employees with more than 5 days of vacation may continue to take that. Or you can opt for leave without pay.
Health benefits remain intact for all employees that work at least 1 day in October.
Furlough days do not constitute a break in service.
Many issues, including will furloughed employees be repaid like Federal workers, what happens to benefits if sitdown continues into Nov, etc, are still being worked.
oops. Freudian slip? I meant "shutdown", not "sitdown".
Now that I think of it, maybe the best term is a cross bewteen the two: "shitdown"
It's not reserve, it's carryover.
There are no reserves. Reserves are unallowable.
"Worst case: we have to shut down on or about Sat 10/12, and all non-essential personnel (my words) go on leave without pay...."
Likely case: we will shut down on or about Sat 10/12, and non- essential personnel will be able to take at least 5 days of vacation..."
The bottom line is that in either case, we'll all be enjoying some free time next week and the Lab will be closed for the most part. The only thing that could change that would be a sudden break in the current deadlock between the White House and Congress, and that doesn't appear likely.
As somebody who also works at LANL, I am wondering where the 10 weeks is coming from? I certainly have not been informed of this.
This seems to me a rumor, unless you can provide us with your information.
I remember the days, when every day someone predicted the imminent departure of the admiral, based on moving vans, lawn not being cut etc...
So please provide us with facts or shut the f up
You must be a "peon". Managers were informed of this last week.
October 7, 2013 at 4:13 PM
You must be a "peon". Managers were informed of this last week.
October 7, 2013 at 4:13 PM
October 7, 2013 at 7:16 PM
By repeating the same rumor it does not become more factual.
If the govt defaults of 10/17 the lab will most likely go into shutdown. You however will be employed for another 8 weeks in you parallel universe. Good for you.
Nuclear Weapons and Materials Monitor
NNSA DIRECTS SITES TO BEGIN SHUTDOWN PLANNING
Contractors running the National Nuclear Security Administration’s various sites began initiating shutdown plans yesterday after direction from the agency established Oct. 21 as the latest date for shutdown, NW&M Monitor has learned. Sites could shut down before then, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Director Parney Albright informed employees in an all-hands meeting yesterday that the lab would have to shut down next week, with all but essential employees being furloughed. B&W Y-12 and B&W Pantex also informed employees yesterday that they were initiating an “orderly shutdown,” with Oct. 17 projected as the last day for non-essential employees at the Y-12 National Security Complex. About 900 of the plant’s 4,800 employees will remain at the site, with a large portion of those coming from the site’s protective forces ranks, NW&M Monitor has learned. “Safety and security are our highest national priorities, and since Congress has not passed an appropriations act and given the continued uncertainty, it is prudent that we act to ensure extended safe and secure operations of our sites,” B&W Y-12 President and General Manager Chuck Spencer said in a message to employees that was nearly identical to one sent out yesterday by B&W Pantex President and General Manager John Woolery. “To that end, we have received direction from the Acting NNSA Administrator [Bruce Held] to initiate an orderly shutdown in support of, at a minimum, obtaining safe and secure status.”
Other NNSA sites are also believed to be preparing to shut down as well, though they have not outlined their plans. NNSA declined to comment. Spencer and Woolery said details of the shutdown plans for the sites were being developed. “I recognize this is troubling news and that it may likely have a significant impact on you and your family,” Spencer said. “We can only hope that the need for furloughs will be averted or that they will be short-lived. In the meantime I ask you to focus on that which you can control and help place Y-12 in the best condition possible to ensure an orderly and timely return to operations.”
The most obvious question that anyone would ask in face of Parney's explanation of the situation would be, If we have vacation, can we use it to prevent LWOP and continue to get a paycheck. The audience took a very long time to ask this question. Finally it was asked, and it should have been the first question. The problem is Parney did not have an answer as to how, what an employee would have to do, or whether or not the employee system could even produce a paycheck. The lack of anticipation of such a basic question by Parney and his management team is apalling. And we await the answer, supposedly Wed. Wanna bet it is not complete?
You weren't paying attention. He said if you have vacation, and assuming DOE approves that we can use it (which he made clear was very likely, and he would go to war otherwise) then you can avoid LWOP. He said this repeatedly during the briefing when he was talking to the calendar, and in response to several questions. The question he had trouble with was wether there would be people to approve timecards. He also said yes, after getting some help from HR.
You must be a "peon". Managers were informed of this last week.
October 7, 2013 at 4:13 PM
October 7, 2013 at 7:16 PM
Here is the peon again. Just learned that LANL plans to shutdown on 10/21.
Sometimes it is better to be a peon and not a manager, at least we are living in a reality based world.
But keep enjoying your additional weeks of employment.
If they were smart they'd close the doors and send everyone W/O pay until the budget is passed. This will get those close to retirement to retire and those who can't make it will have to find news jobs or draw unemployment. Either way the lab wins. Come on Oct 10th until Jan 1st 2014 or more.
Just learned that LANL plans to shutdown on 10/21.
October 8, 2013 at 4:09 PM
So that would be the rest of LANL. So they can join TA 55 that has been in a safety pause for the last few months. What a messed up situation!
Just learned that LANL plans to shutdown on 10/21.
October 8, 2013 at 4:09 PM
That's Sandia, not LANL. LANL has yet to announce anything.
"The lack of anticipation of such a basic question by Parney and his management team is apalling. "
As another poster wrote, you're incorrect with your point. Parney answered the question about using vacation time and it was apparent to me that he put a lot of thought and work into all of this. He covered all the bases and was very well prepared. I'm glad that Parney is the Director. He was a good choice. The search committee did its job well.
You are right. Parney is the perfect man to close Livermore down.
You are right. Parney is the perfect man to close Livermore down.
October 8, 2013 at 7:31 PM
It will be closed down (given the current situation). Who would you rather do it??
As another poster wrote, you're incorrect with your point. Parney answered the question about using vacation time and it was apparent to me that he put a lot of thought and work into all of this. He covered all the bases and was very well prepared. I'm glad that Parney is the Director. He was a good choice. The search committee did its job well.
October 8, 2013 at 7:20 PM
The Livermore committee had the benefit of seeing what happened in the screwed up Los Alamos search and wisely learned from the mistakes. Livermore got a broadly experienced individual for a Director in Parney as a result. Meanwhile Los Alamos got someone that had a narrow background, with little preparation for the broader aspects of the position. For the times ahead it is good to be with Parney, since he has been in the DC budget fights and understands the situation.
He is not perfect and he will continue to make mistakes, just like every Director before him. In many ways it is the comparison that matters more, and he consistently looks like the best available choice after two years. Indeed, the committee did right by Livermore, heavily influenced by the well publicized Los Alamos search problems.
I'm just a worker, but along with the labs small emergency carry over, a 14% pay reduction, increased employee burden on other expenses, and no significant pay raise or bonus (ever),just what am I grateful for? Is management grateful for what I do?
I know it is the job, but a few more crumbs wouldn't shift the balance of power.
Sandia had an all hands meeting today where lab director Paul Holmert said SNL is shutting down Oct 21, and we will be paid until Oct 25. After Oct 25, nobody will receive pay and vacation can't be used when on furlough to continue getting paid. Benefits like medical are only paid up until early Nov, and will lapse if the shutdown drags on longer than that.
In short, now is a good time to find another job in the private sector with better pay and similar or better job security
I suspect LLNL should follow their lead shortly.
"In short, now is a good time to find another job in the private sector with better pay and similar or better job security"
an option if you live in the BA, but not realistic for someone living in NM
Its true that LLNL has better job options than LANL by virtue of location. If this shutdown drags on exceptionally long LLNL employees are far more likely to find temporary means in their area and then be able to return to LLNL if desired. Natural selection will have functioned for this type of stress, the loss of financial resource. It is ironic since proximity to a large population had been a negative factor for a nuclear lab. Interesting to watch natural selection play itself out.
Wow! The level of hypocrisy is just staggering. The same workers that express outrage over the mere consideration of having the NNSA moved to DoD are the ones now bellyaching about a possible furlough. It is worth taking into consideration the situation for DoD employees. They are back at work and received full pay for the week off.
Five years into Bodner's privatization experiment, it appears that LLNL management has lost its way.
It no longer has any independent power. It cannot influence its own fate.
Reacting is a failing organizational response strategy (Porter, Miles).
It died five years ago. The carcass is rotting.
Failures and excuses will follow until a new organizational response structure is implemented.
A semi-independant manager, like California's UC is essential to protect the asset from the effects of congress's "lesser angels".
Ha,Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,Ha,Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,Ha,Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,Ha,Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,Ha,Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,Ha,Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha.PGBC I told you what's coming and you laughed. Now you will experience what the rest of the working stiffs of the former United States of America have dealt with. Excuse me I have to change because I just pissed my pants from laughing to hard.
Former employee.
It is worth taking into consideration the situation for DoD employees. They are back at work and received full pay for the week off.
October 9, 2013 at 8:40 AM
Sorry, apples and oranges. Lab employees are not NNSA employees, but contractors. Many thousand DoD contractor employees are out of work.
Thank goodness I took the LlNL buyout in June, along with my UC pension. I don't miss the budget dance at all.
Sorry, apples and oranges. Lab employees are not NNSA employees, but contractors. Many thousand DoD contractor employees are out of work.
October 9, 2013 at 2:34 PM
Perhaps thousands of the millions. DoD contractors have the ability to have a reserve. They have the Pay Our Military Act. They can potentially have a lot of carryover (which I suspect many of the labs' programs have), and DoD won't tell them they have to shutdown on 21 Oct.
With both SNL and LANL now preparing to shutdown on Oct 21st with no pay during the shutdown.... now would be an excellent time to use this unpaid "vacation" to look for a more stable job at a saner institution.
It's only likely to get worse going forward. Cuts, cuts followed by even more cuts?
Anonymous said...
It is worth taking into consideration the situation for DoD employees. They are back at work and received full pay for the week off.
October 9, 2013 at 8:40 AM
Sorry, apples and oranges. Lab employees are not NNSA employees, but contractors. Many thousand DoD contractor employees are out of work.
October 9, 2013 at 2:34 PM
2:34 PM is the one with mixed up fruit. Workers at DoE labs are contractors, whereas those at DoD labs are federal employees. DoD federal employees are back at work, which includes those working at labs.
As an aside, Congress has already approved full back pay for DoE federal employees once they return to work. Contract employees, including all the lab workers, are not in that group.
for October 7, 2013 at 1:24 PM
Don't blame us Alien Visitor Employees (AVE's) working on our Tech Transfer assignments. We don't have a screwed up gov't on our planet ! I'll use my furlough time to visit family in Southern Nevada ! Maybe take in a show and do some shopping in Las Vegas !
Workers at DoE labs are contractors, whereas those at DoD labs are federal employees. DoD federal employees are back at work, which includes those working at labs.
October 10, 2013 at 6:55 AM
Lots of employees at DoD labs are contractors. Also, lots of DoD contractors do not work at DoD labs. In both cases those contractors are suffering through the furloughs and shutdown funding shortfalls. Just like DOE/NNSA contractors are about to. Apples and apples.
Lots of employees at DoD labs are contractors. Also, lots of DoD contractors do not work at DoD labs. In both cases those contractors are suffering through the furloughs and shutdown funding shortfalls. Just like DOE/NNSA contractors are about to. Apples and apples.
October 10, 2013 at 8:55 PM
Don't get around much, eh? While some workers at DoD laboratories are not federal employees, almost of them are. While it may come to this, so far almost all DoD contractors are still working full time. There have not been furloughs at Lockheed, Boeing, GD or any of the other major DoD contractors.
The Associated Press stated that 2,400 Lockheed employees are being furloughed (down from an original estimate of 3,000).
The Associated Press also stated that only 300 of those Lockheed employees work on DoD projects. Lockheed has 116,000 employees according to its corporate information site. It is doubtful that they will even notice a drop of 0.25% in the total employment.
It is doubtful that they will even notice a drop of 0.25% in the total employment.
October 12, 2013 at 2:46 PM
Who's "they" you putz? I'd guess every one of the 2400 will notice it! What an asshole.
I wish you well. You deserve better.
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