Anonymously contributed:
Today, I started packing up my personal items in my office. Nearly 20 years of pictures, awards, and other keepsakes stuffed into a few boxes just waiting for this week to see if I am selected for the ISP. Although I have had a wonderful career at LLNL, and hope to have a job after this week, I really felt sadness packing up all my stuff, knowing that I may not be an employee soon. It is the "not knowing if they are going to be knocking on my office door" that I feel is cruel in this whole process. I wanted to hear other people's feelings on this, and hoping that the powers to be will get an idea that they are taking away so much talent, so much dedication to the Lab. Although I am hoping for an eleventh hour reprieve for all of us, I feel that many of our friends and colleagues will be leaving over the next few days, and I am really starting to feel a great sense of loss.
11 comments:
"Although I am hoping for an eleventh hour reprieve for all of us, I feel that many of our friends and colleagues will be leaving over the next few days, and I am really starting to feel a great sense of loss.
"
There will be no reprieve for anyone. What's to be done will be done and there will be more to come this year and next year. As one poster said. If you're going to make it at LLNL you have to come to work every day knowing this may be your last day and prepare yourself mentally for such activity. This is to be the SOP for this facility from now on. It will continue to get smaller and smaller until someday only one gate will be active and the community will wonder if anyone works here. The question isn't if, it's when will it be your turn to pack up and move on.
Public Affairs issued a statement from GM via email after 3pm today. Basically, he's trying to say good-bye and thanks for all our dedication blah! blah!
What is interesting in the email, the total number of indefinite career to be let go tomorrow has now been modified to 440. Miraculously, the budget isn't as bad as they thought and based on what he (GM) is being told, this will be the last ISP. Sounds like they did it again. Played a game, laid off who they wanted to get rid of and left the rest who may be spared tomorrow, to suffer through working for idiots...without a severance pkg to cling to. I am fed up with the lies and the scare tactic and hope tomorrow will be my last day at what was once a prestige place to work.
All the best to everyone!
The number is still 185 term + 535 career = 720 laid off, except now it is going to be 280 term + 440 career = 720 laid off.
It is a sad time even though I am no longer at the Lab. I was sad the day I left the Lab.....in August, 2006. I saw the writing on the wall and decided to get out while the job market was still good. I had worked for almost 17 years at the Lab; more than a third of my life! I must say, I found a good job making ~25% more money. Unfortunately, I had to move to the East Coast. But, I had been through contract changes at other jobs and I did not want to waste 2 years of my career watching the ugliness and sadness that generall ensues in this situations. I still have a few friends at the Lab and they are very sad today. I'm sad for them, the Lab and the nation as I watch this saga unfold.
"without a severance pkg to cling to"
The severance package is specified in the Lab contract. I doubt that will change, at least through its current 7 year term.
"The severance package is specified in the Lab contract. I doubt that will change, at least through its current 7 year term."
Actually, the severance package is part of the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, which is currently being rewritten. I don't think it is part of the actual contract between LLNS and DOE/NNSA, meaning it can change.
"Actually, the severance package is part of the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, which is currently being rewritten. I don't think it is part of the actual contract between LLNS and DOE/NNSA, meaning it can change."
I recollect that the Contract 44states that it is an 'allowable expense' (max of 26 weeks). Translation: if LLNS wants, they can provide severance as given in the Personnel Policy ... BUT LLNS can change anything in the Personnel Policy. Another word, LLNS can delete all severance pay, and still satisfy Contract 44
("allowable" does not mean "required").
(http://www.llnsllc.com/contract/contract.asp)
Contract 44, Appendix A, Section V (a)(2)Severance pay benefit. The severance payment shall be made in an amount equal to one week's pay for each year of continuous full-time equivalent service (afractional year of full-time equivalent service of six months or more is counted as one year of service) not to exceed a total of 26 weeks pay.
(How do you interpret "payment shall be made"?)
Here's the thing... DOE/NNSA wasn't even willing to live up to the letter of the contract AS IT'S WRITTEN TODAY! Why would we believe they won't change it to their benefit for the duration of the contract?
Here's what I'm getting at:
"Appendix A, Section V (1)(a) Reduction in Force (RIF). When employees are terminated due to a RIF, the following costs are allowable:
(1) Pay in lieu of notice. Any employee who is laid off or terminated due to a RIF may be given pay in lieu of the required minimum written notice of termination to the extent permitted by law. Accumulated vacation credit is also paid."
Well, we all know that the 200s with over 10 years of experience are NOT being paid in lieu of notice, but instead have to work through their notice period. I take that to mean that DOE/NNSA can change the rules whenever they want.
Also, look at the first page of Appendix A
"Section 1(c) This Appendix A may be modified from time to time by agreement of the Parties. Either Party may, at any time, request that this Appendix A be revised. Parties hereto agree to negotiate in good faith concerning any requested revision. Revisions to this Appendix A shall be accomplished by executing a Contract Modification.
(d) The Laboratory Director may make exceptions to the provisions of Appendix A when such exceptions are in the best interest of Contract operations or will facilitate or enhance Contract performance. Such Laboratory Director exceptions must be approved in advance by the Contracting Officer and included as a modification to this Appendix A prior to Contractor implementation."
In other words,
"Don't bother yourself with all those legal words in that silly contract 44 thingy. We're the DOE. We can do whatever we want, whenever we want, however we want, to whomever we want. Get over it, and get back to work, sucker -- Sincerely, DOE/NNSA"
I just read the contract wording on severence pay and it appears to me that LLNS can revoke severence pay and still satisfy the terms of the contract. I wouldn't count on there being severence pay in future layoffs. That alone is enough to inspire me to leave LLNL sooner than later. I can't afford to be unemployed for long.
Couple of thoughts:
- "may" be given pay in lieu of the required minimum written notice of termination to the extent permitted by law (pay in lieu of notice "may (as in optional) be given - not "shall" be given. Doesn't seem to be in conflict with the 200's situation).
In every lay-off done within the DOE complex, severance pay (standard contract content) has been paid. There's enough to worry about without looking for pain that isn't there.
Contracts can be changed, but it is no simple or invisible process. Additionally, there is a reason that it takes so much time and effort to get a 3161 plan approved as well.
As painful as this process is for LLNL, it still provides more $$ and support than many companies provide for laid off workers.
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