LLNS may have excluded the wrong people in last VSSOP? The exclusions were based on outdated job categories and related skills. ULM are now thinking that in the future, job categories and functional areas will have to be re-defined. The next VSSOP/ISP will be based on the new categories and functional areas. The questions I have are: 1) Why didnt they think of that before the transition. It seems like their style is “change things as you go”. Planning is out the window! 2) Who will give input on the new changes? The next RIF apparently is going to be more lucrative than the VSSOP. Depending on the length of employment, a RIFed person, not only gets their 1 week pay per year of service but also from 30 to 120 days notice, essentially 30 to 120 days pay. Please feel free to comment on the rumors or add new ones you actually heard.
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Ask George. I heard NIF is using some Enron accountants.
August 31, 2011 8:19 PM
I can see that Livermore is continuing to use Bret Knapp's tactic to toss engineers from one side of the lab to other. Engineers are just "support" at both Livermore and Los Alamos. Los Alamos engineers were treated with respect before Knapp came to Los Alamos. And don't give me this "oh what a baby response" until you have experienced a good old fashioned "butt kicking" from Knapp himself like I (and many others) have.
It is now working on its second and arguably, last chance, given the retaliation in 2000 that got rid of Tarter, Campbell, Kilkenny and Paisner is favor of the current crop of fusion heros.
It is reasonable and expected for the institution to surge manpower 5-10% temporarily to remove roadblocks that imperil its most important and visible objectives. It is laudable that it is designed to accomplish this. The matrix works...(but is not without negative effects on the raided, but less urgent programs)
He raided labwide for AVLIS's Demo85 milestone, and again for NIF's first light, and will continue to use this tool to bring the difficult and urgent issues to closure.
Road the ponies hard and put 'em away wet.... this time without the charade of merit raises.
For those who do not know how to stay off Ed's radar, occasional tumult is expected. You grin and bear it, learn something from the experience, and on bad days, you hold onto the fact that you are employed and the hope of a comfortable retirement.
Retired and off the radar