Well, NewOnLine had this today- if someone can figure out how to link the whole article, please do. At any rate - read the document while you can
DRAFT – New language highlighted in YELLOW (text in red, not highlighted)
III Layoff
III.1 Layoff for 200-Series Employees
III.1.1 Policy
This section pertains to 200-Series indefinite career employees only. It applies when a layoff is necessitated due to a lack of work or a lack of funds, which could result from such factors as, but not limited to, budget reduction, reorganization, or reduced scope of work. It does not apply to postdoctoral, term or temporary employees, who are subject to other employment and termination policies, nor does this policy apply to flexible term or key personnel. . .
etc, etc
17 comments:
Well as a retiree I can tell you it's not on-line for the public to read at the LLNL Website. This should give you a reason to capture the complete text and post it on the blog so people who think they may want to go to work at LLNL may now think twice before signing up, since there's really no pension plan or good benefits thereafter. Someone should publish the entire section K of the policy and procedures manual. By the way. Did anyone keep a copy of the old UC PPM so we could compare what it was to what it is? That should make for a good joke to read.
I have the old, the revised and the new. Basically, re-written to get rid of those they do not want (oldies but, goodies). Language added to say "if job is no longer needed" and deleted all language regarding preference for laid off employees for other jobs on-site. You now have to apply. Also, deleted language about helping laid off employees seeking employment at other UC and/or affiliates - no longer giving recommendations. I say the next round is going to be another "age" discrimination blooper.
One of the changes I expected has come to pass. The extended notice given to 200 series with more than 10 years of service has been eliminated. It's a flat 30 days of notice for everyone.
This will make NNSA/DOE happy. They now don't have to negotiate with LLNS about having to either pay or keep the 200 series indentured in the Sunshine building until that 60/90/120 day term runs out.
The pay in lieu of notice appears to have an "out" wording
Up to 30 days pay in lieu of notice MAY BE given.
Not "shall" nor "will", just a maybe, maybe not.
Everybody is on an equal footing for recall. The old policy had different times spans for recall/rehire eligibility that were dependent on how many years you had at the lab before being booted out. Now everyone is eligible for rehire for an internal only posting for a period of 1 year.
And lest we forget, that old and antiquated term for the organization once known has "Human Resources" has been replace with "Stratgic Human Capital Management"
The noose is tightening, in case you hadn't noticed.
The new wording appears to be aimed laying off long term employees on the cheap.
It is definately good for business and bad for morale.
When the transition was taking place there was much speculation that the distinction between definite (flex) and indefinite (career) would be largely eliminated and it seems that that is now happening.
I can only assume that they just want everyone to leave the lab to shut it down because they are slowly eliminating all the incentives to stay - unless they just don't get how different living in the bay area is from New Mexico:
As a "200" I could go to a UC and do good science, have relatively good job security, low overheads to apply for grants, and get a pension.
At a company I'd get no real job security or real pension but the potential to be involved in exciting scientific technological development that could earn me millions in stock options.
LLNL now offers no job security, no pension, no stock options, and dwindling quality of science.
As it happens I have a job offer and I'm leaving in a couple of weeks - I don't get why anyone would stay.
I just wish I knew whether LLNS was doing this intentionally to close the lab down or if they really are that stupid and really don't get it!
All that left now is salary reductions and no pay rasues for the next ten years and we'll be home free considering the fact we're about 20% behind after taxes with the economy the wat it is and there's now saving grace in site "anywhere".
Bailout may cost taxpayers billions and be among nation's largest
The New York Times
Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated:09/06/2008 04:03:13 AM MDT
WASHINGTON - Senior officials in the Bush administration and the Federal Reserve on Friday informed top executives of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the mortgage finance giants, that the government is preparing to seize the two companies and place them in a conservatorship, officials and company executives briefed on the discussions said.
The plan, effectively a government bailout, was outlined in separate meetings that the chief executives were summoned to attend on Friday at the office of the companies' new regulator. The executives were told that, under the plan, they and their boards would be replaced, shareholders would be virtually wiped out, but the companies would be able to continue functioning with the government generally standing behind their debt, people briefed on the discussions said.
It is not possible to calculate the cost of any government bailout, but the huge potential liabilities of the companies could cost taxpayers tens of billions of dollars and make any rescue among the largest in the nation's history.
The drastic effort follows the bailout this year of Bear Stearns, the investment bank, as government officials continue to grapple with how to stem the credit crisis and housing crisis that have hobbled the economy. With Bear Stearns, the government provided guarantees and the bulk of its assets were transferred to JPMorgan Chase, leaving shareholders with a nominal amount.
Under a conservatorship, the remaining common and preferred shares of Fannie and Freddie would be worth little, and any losses on mortgages they own or guarantee could be paid by taxpayers. A conservatorship would operate much like a prepackaged bankruptcy, similar to what smaller companies use to clean up their books and then emerge with stronger balance sheets.
The executives were told that the government had been planning to announce the decision as early as Sunday, before the Asian markets reopen, the officials said.
For months, administration officials have grappled with the steady erosion of the books of the two mortgage finance giants. A fierce behind-the-scenes debate among policymakers has considered whether to seize the companies or let them work out their problems.
But the declining housing and financial markets have apparently now forced the administration's hand. With foreign governments growing increasingly skittish about holding billions of dollars in securities issued by the companies, no sign that their losses will abate any time soon and the inability of the companies to raise new capital, the administration apparently decided it would be better to act now rather than closer to the presidential election in two months.
Just five weeks ago, President Bush signed a law to give the administration the authority to inject billions of dollars into the companies through investments or loans.
What it means
* The federal government is prepared to take control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in its most drastic action yet to resolve the credit crisis and bolster the economy.
* Such action would forestall a more severe decline in economic activity and restore some order to the financial system.
* It would help drive mortgage rates down, making it easier for people to buy homes and refinance risky mortgages.
Source: New York Times
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac
What does this mean to the Ameruican tax payer who stood by and did nothing. Less take home pay and a diminishing lifestyle. You get what you allow.
The words strategic & captial...mmm sounds sneaky.
Oh I think there's more to come. They can start reclassifying people down and red lining their salaries. I mean, now that we empty own trash, address our own letters, and all the new administrative skills we are learning, isn't our job content going down?
Don't worry, be happy even when given the boot and according to what I overheard in a hallway today it's exactly what LLNS is telling everyone except for ULM. From the bits and pieces of the conversation I could put together my understanding is this. 500's = 1.25% - 1.625%, 300's = 1.375% and 200's = 2.2% and that the best you can hope for. Pretty good for times of an inflated economy but then again who cares I have my $437K a year with $50K bonus checks and perks up the ying-yang and the more of you I can boot out the gate to make myself look good to DOE the bigger my retirement check will be. Are you getting the message?
I'll bet you won't see these stats on LLNS recruitment web-page but they should be. I can envision this years payraise card reading in fine print. " We're sorry to inform you but even in a time of a recession and economic hardship we've chosen to pay our taxes, beautify the grounds of NIF and to reserve our funds for unexpected bills from poor planing just as we did last year". Thank you for you understanding.
"The noose is tightening, in case you hadn't noticed." ( 9:31 PM )
Yeah, my neck is beginning to feel a bit like that of Saddam Hussein after a botched hanging by LLNS LLC.
Just wait until the new max salary caps hit the scientists working at LLNL.
LANL put them in last month. Lots of staff are now finding that their current salary has them "red-lined" at the max levels and, thus, won't be seeing any raises for a very long time.
September 12, 2008 10:43 PM
If this is the case then there's no reason to stay. You will simply find yourself falling further and further behind the cost of living and eventually your job will seem as if you
were working for minimum wage. Sad how DOE can screw all of it's workers without a few trillion dollar law suit isn't it. I guess DOE and LLNS did learn something from Saddam Hussien before justice was served.
September 10, 2008 5:38 PM
I saw the raises on the labs web pages today and it looks like you were almost 100% correct. Can some please post the .pdf file that shows what classifications are getting what percentage. The 300 took it in the shorts again this year. Way to go LLNS. I can see you had full intention of rewarding the best you have. What a bunch of BS.Your are truly a bunch of parasites. I feel sorry for anyone who jumped from 500 to 300 this year in hopes to be rewarded thinking its a better place to be. Fools ! All you got was the cock-a-poo.
"One of the changes I expected has come to pass. The extended notice given to 200 series with more than 10 years of service has been eliminated. It's a flat 30 days of notice for everyone."
Does anyone remember if they defined the layoff policy on those charts that showed "substantially equivalent"? This certainly removes a safety net for 200's.
Layoff policy not directly related to benefit (sub. eq. or otherwise). Personnel policy for the most part are dictated by LLNS under guidance of Contract 44.
Layoff notice, severance payout can be unilaterally change by LLNS (wasn't the 10yrs-120days notice changed to flat 30 days?)
Note that Contract 44 specified max of 6-months severance ... Which means that LLNS can reduce severance to 30days if they so choose ... (after all, 30days is less than 6-months.
10-1-08 Final lay-off policy issued. 30 day notice, but, wait, only 2 weeks "pay in lieu of." Supposedly, it is in the current contract. Mmmmm....weren't we under the same contract in May? I guess they want you to stick around for 2 weeks and clean out your office, stare out the window and/or use up your sick leave. Doesn't make sense to me. Still potential for a security problem.
" guess they want you to stick around for 2 weeks and clean out your office" ...
Nope ... if you're lucky 1-2 hours to clear out
of your office ... , then it's off to the Sunshine
(Detention Center) Building !!!
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