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No layoffs at LANL!

Contributed by anonymous:

Los Alamos Monitor

By ROGER SNODGRASS, Monitor Editor

The director of Los Alamos National Laboratory told employees today that there would be no need for involuntary staff layoffs.

With 430 eligible voluntary departures, along with 140 employees who have departed since Sept. 17 through natural attrition, the total of 570 is above the minimum goal of 500 and below the higher target of 750, Director Michael Anastasio said at an all-employee meeting Tuesday,

“However, given the 570 we have achieved, coupled with an assessment of the skill-mix consequences and the budget picture, I have decided that it is best for the Laboratory not to proceed with an Involuntary Separation Plan at this time,” Anastasio wrote in a follow-up memo that summarized his discussion.

There will be a 10 percent reduction, or about 50 positions, from the so-called flexible workforce. The flexible workforce includes staff augmentation, generally short-term subcontractors and limited term staff, some of whom would not be renewed when their contracts expire.

Anastasio was upbeat about LANL’s budget prospects for this year under the recently signed consolidated appropriation bill.

“Overall this is very good news for the laboratory, providing us with a relatively flat budget compared with last year,” he wrote. “However, future budget uncertainty mandates that we successfully take advantage of opportunities for program growth and that we carefully manage hiring.”

Comments

Anonymous said…
Ever read a textbook on accounting? Large chunks of it are about the art of creative truth when making reports to the IRS and the stockholders.

Nothing LANS/LLNS says is trust-worthy.

ULM just created enough terror to drive off a large number of employees and now they feel proud about averting a RIF. Imagine what LLNS will have to do to one-up them.
Anonymous said…
“However, future budget uncertainty mandates that we successfully take advantage of opportunities for program growth and that we carefully manage hiring.”

One issue that the people of LLNL had better realize before they get to happy and think they're going to get off light and that is, LANL already had hundreds of contract workers put out to pasture before the VSIP came along therefore with the 450 people leaving that was probably a total of a thousands or more warm bodies departing some willingly and some not. So hold on LLNL we are a year behind LANL on man power cuts.

We still have 300- 400 FTE's that need to be gone simply based on the fact they are no loads and this is ULM's one time get out of jail card they're going to play to their benefit.
Anonymous said…
Isn't it amazing how the people of LLNL particiapte so little in their blog when the LANL people are right on top of every issue. Just look at the poll. You can bet more people than this were sent packing. I wonder if that why LANL people made out on the RIF and LLNL people are going to get the bone/r. You get what you fight for. In LLNL case I don't see very many people with an interest in their future. Look like sheep being sent to te butcher shop.
Anonymous said…
Can anyone at LLNL get the employees some real numbers of how many people have been let go since November. The people need a real head count, classification,department, etc.
Anonymous said…
Look at that poll only 26 people left LLNL since November 2008. That's a far cry from what the newspaper is reporting. Who's zooming who. That will make POGO happy.
Anonymous said…
Not exactly "no layoffs at LANL" like the headline says. They've already shit-canned a bunch of contract workers, RIFed a bunch of self-selectors (that's right, they should be considered laid off), and the Director at LANL says "no involuntary RIF, FOR NOW."
Anonymous said…
hello January 9, 2008 5:08 PM

It seems that people at LLNL are numb. Some may think their opinion does not matter and have given up.
Some have strong opinions but are afraid to spread dissent for fear of retaliation. These 2 categories of people tend to be the captive workers who are a few years from retirement and dont want to be fired sooner.
The 3rd category of people are in a wait and see mode and will leave at a drop of a hat!

We need to continue to speak up about things that are not right.

We lose when we shut up.
Anonymous said…
And then there are those of us who told LLNS to shove it and left on our own. Expect to see more of that in the near future.
Anonymous said…
whee! amen to that. left in late august and am beginning to feel like a real person again. coolest is that i got another UC job.

shouldn't gloat- my heart goes out to all of you who are going through this difficult transition. good luck, and if something terrible is happening to do, it will be ALL FOR THE BETTER in the long run.
Anonymous said…
Good for you, 11:05, you must have been one of the several who got picked up by LBNL, or maybe UCMerced. I'm glad someone made out.
Anonymous said…
Hey January 11, 2008 4:45 AM!
The sad thing is that when someone leaves, they wont replace him/her.
This means those left behind get to work more.
Georgio understands that his extended family is ready for sacrifices. You have got to be nuts to work for an organization that has lost its identity and dignity!
Attracting the best? keeping the best?
I think its is more like keeping and attracting the mediocre.
This is one requirement in the contract that LLNS is not going to fulfill!

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