Bogus RIF Reasoning

So displacing the first 500, the second 730 and then finally the last 300 people from LLNL in FY-08 has absolutely nothing to do with reducing the cost of each employee to the project or program at all. It looks as if the entire process has to do with making up a $130M shortfall. I guess that explains why the 2008 Lab Pricer shows each employee as being more expensive than in 2007. So if the FY-08 RIF only solves the $130M shortfall what plan do they have to reduce the cost of each employee. It should be evident by now to LLNS that Riffing the entire workforce isn't going to resolve anything. What's your next move LLNS?

PT14. Can someone please explain how "the cost of managing the Lab" has increased since the fee to manage the Lab was a fixed amount in the bid? What changed to make that cost increase to a point where we are now talking about voluntary and involuntary separations?

As of March 2007 the estimate of the additional costs in FY08 over FY07 for a private organization, LLNS, in managing the laboratory was approximately $80M, split between management fee, estimated taxes, and estimated 401K matching. The new contract does not provide any additional funds for these costs. LLNL must take them out of operating funds. This level of additional cost had been planned for by allowing attrition to take our staffing level down 500 in the last two years.

However, as we moved into this fiscal year under the new contract, several issues arose that increased the additional contract costs $50M more to approximately $130M. These include a higher than anticipated 401K match, higher management fee than originally estimated from the Request for Proposal (RFP), and increases in the cost of health care with a smaller pool of participants.

This, combined with inflation and a lower federal budget, create a financial challenge that requires the laboratory to assess the size of its workforce.

Have you seen this notice?

Many people got this notice by e-mail. Does anyone know why it was sent out and why it only went to a selected few. Are those who got this being told, "you've been selected for departure at a given date and we need to know where you are at all times so we can give you the final word or escort you out the gate"?


This is very important!

There is going to be a Laboratory wide announcement this week. This means, I need know your schedules for the next three days, including:

* Will you be here, I need to know where you are. Other than short runs to other buildings, I will need to get in touch with each of you at a moments notice. Stay in touch with me if you plan on being away from your phone. Pager is the next best. Please wear them.

* If you are taking vacation, I need a phone number where I can reach you at a moments notice.

* If you go on sick leave or think you may go on sick leave, I need a phone number where I can reach you at a moments notice.

* If you are on travel or planning to be on travel, I need a phone number where I can reach you at a moments notice.

I apologize for not being able to give more information at this time. Other than the obvious question, please call me if you have any others.

Keep in touch.

VSSOP Coming Soon

Please post anon:

Rumor control central hits a soft spot today at LLNL for a few with their ears open.

It looks as if LLNS in a most creative way has found an ingenious means of informing everyone of who ( is ) or ( is not ) eligible for the VSSOP and also who (is) or ( is not ) eligible for the involuntary separation. Your notification will be done through LAPIS and internal web page whereby they can hide their dirty deeds from the public and from their employees. In other words you'll never know what classification or quantity of any particular classification they want to thin out. Yes they are treating their employees like mushrooms whereby they keep them in the dark and feed them bullhockey dopes with arsenic.

Each employee will be required to log onto LAPIS and check their "status" of eligibility. When you log on there will be a simple status of something like ( yes or no ). I have not been informed of the exact chosen words, but here's the jest. If your status says ( YES ), not only are you eligible for the VSSOP but you're automatically eligible for the ( involuntary separation programs ) what ever acronym they chose for that event. If your status is ( no ) or some other chosen words you are ineligible for either ( RIF program ) and you're safe for the _next nine months_ or until the next budget crunch FY-09.

But here's the twist that no one counted on. If you're in NIF you're exempt for both the ( voluntary and involuntary separation ) until further notice. Then from another good source I heard this wasn't entirely true. There are a few that will be asked to leave. On what boat they'll be able to depart with honor and dignity I haven't a clue. Remember NIF, you have a nine month reprieve. There will be down sizing next year and ever year afterwards until they too have the selected few who'll remain gainfully employed.

That's all for now folks. Anyone else heard any rumors or facts they'd like to share?

Three ways to kill the National Labs!

Contributed by the Blind Chihuahua:

Click here

Stressful Transitional Times at LLNL

Symptoms & Warning Signs of Job Stress

While the causes can be something other than job stress, here are the most common symptoms and early warning signs of job stress and burnout:

Apathy
Negativism/cynicism
Low morale
Boredom
Anxiety
Frustration
Fatigue
Depression
Alienation
Anger/irritability Physical problems (headaches, stomach problems) Absenteeism

Are you approaching Job Burnout?

Take our free assessment: Job Burnout Quiz: How Close Are You To Burning Out?

How are you dealing with stress at LLNL? Maybe Fido has the only answer.

Understated costs!

Contributed by anonymous:

LLNS significantly understated its costs to take over the new contract. Why should NNSA allow LLNS just scoop the difference from the FY08 budget? Make them eat the loss. Maybe it will bankrupt them and force them out of business.

Outsourcing of America

Is there any doubt in anyone's mine why America is no longer an industrial nation and how big business through greed and manipulation has ruined this country.

As I read Dilbert this morning I immediately envisioned the pointy haired dude as our new LLNS HR representative interviewing the next generation of LLNL employee. It seems their attitude is the same as every business in this country today. You are a replaceable commodity and will be replaced with a cheaper workforce where we'll get quality work and a complacent low paid employees that will eventually result in higher profits, bonus checks for management and many satisfied investors.

Each time I read the cartoon I envisioned an LLNS HR representative saying to the cone head icon that could in fact represent any nationality.

"You're the type of employee we need to make LLNL a success story. It's people like you that'll embrace change and are the future of this lab. However, we can only offer you a 401k that'll never be substantiality equivalent in the aggregate to the once lucrative UCRP retirement plan. The facts are this. With the wage we are offering and current IRS rules it's virtually impossible in todays recessionary environment to achieve your financial goals in order to secure a return substantial to sustain life within your employed life. Knowing these facts and understanding that you'll most likely have to work until you're 62- 65 years old when at that time you'll qualify for social security and medicare are you receptive to this offer? If so when would you like to start."