LANL: The Rest of the Story: The Workforce Restructuring Plan has been released

Oct 5, 2007

The Workforce Restructuring Plan has been released

At the LASO web site, at 5:05 pm today. You have until next Friday to comment on it.

http://www.doeal.gov/laso/

--Gussie

39 comments:

Anonymous said...: Everyone start the clock, 120 days and counting. Can you place a dooms day clock are your site that counts down to the RIFS?; 10/5/07, 7:26 PM
Anonymous said...: There's something awfully familiar about this.

At least it doesn't say Pantex on page 13...; 10/5/07, 7:28 PM
Anonymous said...: It took LANS, LLC over 9 days to basically plagiarize the same document that Nevada Site Office released on 9/26 or 9/27 (which they apparently copied from Pantex)?

Amazing!!; 10/5/07, 7:30 PM
Anonymous said...: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW0SHJo365o; 10/5/07, 7:49 PM
Anonymous said...: 7:30pM - What did you expect from our site office, quality and on-time? Give me a break, the clowns that pretend to be the Los Alamos Site Office, are the worst in the entire complex. They are only interested in reviewing documents to make sure they can not be held accountable in any way.; 10/5/07, 8:33 PM
Anonymous said...: Yes, indeed. Start the 120 day LANL doomsday clock a'ticking.

Tick, tick, tick, tick... BOOM!!!

You've just been terminated from your job. Enjoy your unemployment and try not to fret about your looming financial bankruptcy.

Look on the bright side. Soon enough, some rich, job secure LANS manager will be able to offer you 50 cents on the dollar for your home on the Hill. I suggest you take it quickly and try not to be too snooty about it. Groveling a bit may earn you some pity points and a few extra cents on the deal.; 10/5/07, 8:46 PM
Anonymous said...: At least the DOE has a sense of humor. Check out the section that says "To mitigate the impact of LANL employees losing jobs, employees should seek assistance from the state employment service"
Gee, thanks for the help DOE!; 10/5/07, 9:29 PM
Anonymous said...: Some comments on LASO's recently issued Plan 3161:

-------------
HOW LONG WILL THIS PLAN BE IN FORCE?
-------------

"This is an open-ended Plan without a termination date." (3161)

*** Comment: Expect fear of layoffs to be a constant theme at LANL from this point forward. ***

--------------
CAN THIS RIF BE USED AS A MEANS TO SIMPLY REPLACE CURRENT STAFF?
--------------

(BOLD TYPE) "The Department strongly disapproves hiring
from the outside which has the effect of “backfilling” the positions of
individuals separating as part of either a voluntary or involuntary separation
program." (3161)

*** Comment: LANS can't use the layoffs as a means to bring their 'Bechtel Buddies' on board. Fat chance this section will ever be enforced! ***

---------------
WHAT ABOUT INCENTIVES TO LEAVE BEFORE THE RIF?
---------------

"Employees whose applications are accepted as being in the best interest of the employer will receive the
same severance pay which they would have received had they in fact been involuntarily
separated, together with DOE Displaced Worker Medical Benefits, as described below." (3161)

*** Comment: Why take the VSP and leave early when you can wait, be RIFed, and get the same deal? Beside, if you leave voluntarily, you won't be entitled to any unemployement, so why bother? This is a very lame incentive! ***

---------------
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY MEDICAL INSURANCE IF I'M LAID OFF?
---------------

"It is DOE, NNSA, and the Los Alamos
Site Office policy that Displaced Worker Medical Benefits (described below) and
outplacement assistance benefits (as provided by the State of New Mexico) are to be
offered to all eligible displaced employees; however, changes in this policy may be made
depending on the circumstances of the restructuring actions and availability of funds." (3161)

*** Comment: This is a generous deal. You get the same coverage as an employee for the first year if you can scrap up the cash to pay the employee part. As far as paying the full COBRA on the third year, don't bother. You would be totally shocked if you knew just how much this would cost you. You can't afford it, trust me! ***

---------------
WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HELP ME FIND A NEW JOB?
---------------

Once impacted individuals have been notified, the contractor may conduct a
“closed job fair” specifically for impacted individuals to bid on funded vacancies
at LANL." (3161)

*** Comment: Not much here. No sane manager is going to hire anyone during the next few years at LANL unless it's a position for an HR layoff specialist! ***

---------------
CAN I HAVE MY JOB BACK? PLEASE? PRETTY PLEASE WITH SUGAR ON IT?
--------------

"Eligibility for the Section 3161 rehiring preference will be consistent with the Planning Guidance for Contractor Workforce Restructuring dated December 1998.

Regular employees are individuals employed for an indefinite period with no specified ending date. Such employees include full-time and part-time employees. To be classified as a qualified, eligible employee under Section 3161, regular employees must have been:

• Employed at a DOE defense nuclear facility on or before September 27, 1991;

• Employed at LANL in a full-time or part-time regular capacity on the date a workforce restructuring notice was given for a specific workforce reduction; and

• Involuntarily separated (other than for cause)." (3161)

*** Comment: It seems those hired by DOE contractors before 1991 were hired with some special understanding that is still in force. Of course, this is of little value, really, because there will be no hiring at LANL for many years to come, so don't begrudge the old geezers walking the halls at LANL for this one. ***

-----------------
CAN I TRUST WHAT THIS PLAN 3161 OFFERS?
-----------------

"NOTE: THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND THE NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE TERMS OF THIS PLAN. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT BENEFITS EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THOSE DESCRIBED IN THIS PLAN WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED IN THE FUTURE. MODIFICATIONS TO THIS PLAN OR TO PLAN BENEFITS MAY BE REQUIRED IF CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE, E.G., IF THERE IS A CHANGE IN IMPLEMENTING POLICY OR IN FUNDING CONSTRAINTS." (3161)

*** Comment: In a word... NO! Offer subject to change at any time, based on available funds. ***; 10/5/07, 9:51 PM
Anonymous said...: Again, the government's "3161" rules have been in effect since 1992! Please, people, do your homework unless you want things done to you that you didn't even take the time to foresee or to plan for! It takes a small amount of research on the web to see what is planned for you and your future, and what you can, or cannot, do about it. Why would anyone go into this blind and helpless??? Get real about where your power is, and isn't, and do something about your future!! Your comments and complaints on this blog will get you exactly nowhere. Please start waking up!!!; 10/5/07, 11:19 PM
Anonymous said...: The sleazy way to handle this is to post after 5pm before a long weekend and that's just what NNSA did. So the next questions are:
1) How will sevice credit be calculated? UC service, LANS service, something else?
2) Would LANS be sleazy enough to offer RIFees a job (e.g. Bechtel Iraq)they wouldn't take just to get out of paying severance?
3) What's the schedule?
4) Will they use the 2 weeks pay in lieu clause?; 10/6/07, 8:23 AM
Anonymous said...: This plan is a NTS clone. Its not at all what LANL middle management heard about. I guess LANS doesn't even listen to LANL AD's. Its clear this is all driven by DOE whims so prepare to be screwed.
They sure inspire loyalty and trust don't they?; 10/6/07, 8:27 AM
Anonymous said...: For your reading (dis)pleasure, take a look at the kind of things DOE/NNSA and the contractors finagle under 3161 workforce restructuring:

http://www.law.com/jsp/printerfriendly.jsp?c=LawDecision&t=PrinterFriendlyDecisionMain&cid=1030343747908

A couple of messages from reading the above:

1) Nobody is looking after the individual workers - you must look after yourselves.

2) Don't agree in writing to anything DOE or your employer present to you unless you understand the implications.; 10/6/07, 10:11 AM
Anonymous said...: Here's another gem:

http://www.oha.doe.gov/cases/whistle/vwz0020.htm; 10/6/07, 10:15 AM
Anonymous said...: "This plan is a NTS clone. Its not at all what LANL middle management heard about. I guess LANS doesn't even listen to LANL AD's. Its clear this is all driven by DOE whims so prepare to be screwed."

Notice the similarity in the LANL and NTS plans with the following from Savannah River:

http://www.srs.gov/general/news/05-06wfr-case.pdf

Certainly reinforces the fact that this is a "standard" NNSA document. Every employee should take the time to do a little research on the Internet.; 10/6/07, 10:30 AM
Anonymous said...: "This plan is a NTS clone. Its not at all what LANL middle management heard about. I guess LANS doesn't even listen to LANL AD's."

8:27 AM, do you really think the ADs give a shit about the workers? I remind you that time and time again Wallace, Beason, Neu, Seestrom, Gibbs, and Bishop have f*cked us over for their own personal gain and ladder climbing. Oh and bonuses, don't forget the money.; 10/6/07, 11:04 AM
Anonymous said...: So now they get 120 days to deciede on who gets to go. You are about to witness 4 months of people either kissing so much ass its sickening or getting all pissed off beacuse they think they are going to get the axe. If you thought the rumors were bad before this should be the most interesting 4 months I've seen yet. It is going to be like watching a train wreck in slow motion all the while not knowing if you get to watch the whole thing or not.; 10/6/07, 11:06 AM
Anonymous said...: Just to set the record straight...

On the eve of Whistleblower Lucy Smith's testimony before Congress she was found badly beaten in the parking lot of a Savannah nightclub where an all-male review event was being held.

In an interview with Ms. Smith, and her attorney, it was stated that she had gone to the male-review to meet another potential whistle-blower informant. Smith and her attorney also insisted that she had not had any crotch-grinds from the dancers and had only had one (virgin) Shirley Temple to drink.

They also alleged that the women who beat her in the parking lot were "2 huge gorillas in paramilitary gear" and that at one point she thought she saw a Blackwater USA lapel pin on the larger gorilla's black & purple camo shirt.

The community is denouncing Ms. Smith, insinuating that she got what she deserved and that she was obviously lying about the whole thing.

Sound familiar?

- Tommy; 10/6/07, 11:47 AM
Anonymous said...: Tommy, did her assailants get off the Hook?; 10/6/07, 11:52 AM
Anonymous said...: So if you volunteer you get severance equivalent + medical (which is worthless if you retire too). If you're riffed you get exactly the same + job preference + 120 days pay.
I guess the only incentive to volunteer is the fear of NOT being riffed and having to stay on the sinking ship?; 10/6/07, 12:23 PM
Anonymous said...: It's clear to me that NNSA wants to reduce the size of the weapons complex across the board.. LANL, LLNL, NTS, SNL.. the whole shabang.

They want to clear the decks of lots of workers so they'll have the future funds to buy all the fancy new buildings and shiny equipment required for their Complex 2030 wet dream.

It's a case of making a decision for buildings and hardware over that of employing workers. In fact, they'll save big money by getting rid of most of the current workforce and hiring new workers at cheaper rates. Tom D'Agostino is the guy pushing this new direction at NNSA.
In this type of environment, don't expect to be able to complete a long career at any of the NNSA lab.; 10/6/07, 12:43 PM
Anonymous said...: The unemployment benefits from the state are minimal, at best, so don't bank on it carrying any laid off employees through any significant storms post-RIF.

https://www.jobs.state.nm.us/gsipub/index.asp?docid=23

For 2004, the minimum weekly benefit paid in New Mexico is $58.00 and the maximum is $290.00. Benefits are payable up to twenty-six (26) weeks, depending on your employment history.

You must be able, available and actively seeking work to remain eligible for unemployment benefits during each week in which you claim benefits. Union members in good standing meet this requirement without making the required work search contacts.

You are allowed to work while claiming benefits and earn up to 20% of your weekly benefit amount before these earnings are deducted from our benefits. You must report all earnings on your weekly certification. Other types of income – such as holiday, vacation, and pension might also be deducted from your weekly benefit amount.

New Mexico Pays a Dependants Allowance of $15.00 for each verified dependant under the age of 18. You will be asked to provide dependants details when filing your claim.

Unemployment benefits are subject to federal income taxes and must be reported on your returns. If you choose, federal income taxes will be withheld from your check.

Extended benefits may be available during times of high unemployment.; 10/6/07, 1:51 PM
Anonymous said...: A small question.

What does this plan have to do with the security of the nation?

If the plan is done on 3 year rolling basis and it takes 15 years to train a decent weapons scientist, an expectation of the plan is that there will soon be no weapons scientists.; 10/6/07, 4:52 PM
Anonymous said...: 11:47AM can shove his humor where the sun don't shine. You sick MFing SOB!; 10/6/07, 5:24 PM
Gussie Fink-Nottle said...: How about 11:52's humor, 5:24? Does that need to get shoved as well?

--Gussie; 10/6/07, 5:34 PM
Gussie Fink-Nottle said...: By the way:

While it's fresh in my memory: One sure way to get a comment rejected these days is to use the word "whining" in it, usually when used in an attempt to characterize another reader's input.

It's guaranteed to work; but don't take my word on this -- try it!

--Gussie; 10/6/07, 5:40 PM
Anonymous said...: So 4:52, were there no decent weapons scientists between 1943 and 1958?; 10/6/07, 6:16 PM
Anonymous said...: Gee, I wonder when Mike will have the next All-Hands meeting?; 10/6/07, 8:31 PM
Anonymous said...: Can anyone figure out why the hell anyone would volunteer? I can see no benefit at all to doing so.; 10/6/07, 9:11 PM
Anonymous said...: 6:16 pm:

"So 4:52, were there no decent weapons scientists between 1943 and 1958?"

Nope, and the sophistication of US weapon designs hasn't increased, either.; 10/6/07, 9:14 PM
Anonymous said...: So you have worked for the DOE complex 20 years? Think you have earned a bit of a pension? Retiree medical care? Saved up almost a year of sick leave, just in case?

Surprise! With a little pink slip DOE erases it all. (Well maybe you can keep a fraction of the pension.) But thanks for all your hard work over the years.; 10/6/07, 9:29 PM
Anonymous said...: The idea of the weapons scientist who is like some rare and artistic maestro coaxing every last bit of yield out of obscure materials is way overblow. Most of the design work could probably be contracted out to any of the top-flight US defense contractors.

If we designed credible weapons back in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, we can do the same today. We just need to make sure all the necessary info learned over time has been well documented for later access. It has been well documented, right? If not, then someone at NNSA is not doing their job.

The era of the prima-donna weapon scientist is over, especially when you consider that even 3rd rate countries seem to be able to pull off a reasonable design. We need a few of these fellows to help monitor the state of our arsenal and that's about it. I would think two dozen or so good designers would be sufficient for this task.; 10/6/07, 9:53 PM
Frank Young said...: Section C of the Executive Summary of the COMMISSION ON MAINTAINING UNITED STATES NUCLEAR WEAPONS EXPERTISE deals with personnel policies and could be relevant to the workforce restructuring plan. I haven't read much of the report yet but no doubt some of our readers have. I'm interested in any comments.; 10/6/07, 10:04 PM
Anonymous said...: 9:53 pm:

"The era of the prima-donna weapon scientist is over, especially when you consider that even 3rd rate countries seem to be able to pull off a reasonable design."

Sorry, but you are so ignorant of the subject. So much wrong here on so many levels. First, with one or two well-known exceptions, none of the weapons designers I know are "prima-donnas." Second, no "3rd rate" countries design weapons even remotely like the optimized designs the US has been producing (at the speciifc demand of the military) for decades. Third, the physics knowledge (and vast test-related knowledge base with application expertise) needed to mount a credible high yield-to-weight-ratio design isn't in the repertoire of anyone except LANL and LLNL. Finally, what is a third-world "reasonable design"? A credible, although small and dirty, yield, or a credible military characteristic that will hold a specific military target credibly at risk? Do you want the US to have a diverse and technically sophisticated nuclear stockpile, or a bunch of low-tech, terrorist-style flamethowers?

Wait, don't answer that - I forgot your ilk wants all high-tech advances to go away so we aren't "disadvantaging" the Bin Ladens of the world.; 10/6/07, 10:43 PM
Anonymous said...: Put down the crack pipe 10:43.

What does our stockpile have to do with Osama?; 10/6/07, 11:22 PM
Anonymous said...: This document is NOT a "plan." It's just a collection of ass-covering statements.; 10/7/07, 5:57 AM
Anonymous said...: According to 10:43 PM, if you don't support growth of the nuclear weapons community you must be for Osama Bin Laden! All I can say is... WOW!; 10/7/07, 3:11 PM
Anonymous said...: Is this the plan summary?

http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/
archive/dilbert-20071007.html

(remove the carriage return); 10/7/07, 7:57 PM
Anonymous said...: 10/7 3:11 pm:

"All I can say is... WOW!"

Thank God, because it is obvious that is all you have the wits to say. If you don't think there is a connection between Al Quaida's quest for nuclear weapons and the US nuclear stockpile, you need to get a slightly broader view of the world.; 10/9/07, 12:11 AM
Anonymous said...: Save us from Osama Bin Laden. Give us billions in more funding for nuclear weapons design and production work, else Osama wins!

Of course, those billions could be utilized for more intelligence work, black ops forces, IED protected vehicles, bribes to help find terrorists, UAVs, etc.

But NOOOoooo! Let's spend it on nice, shiny new nuclear weapons that can gather dust over the next 50 years.

That how we win the GWOT! It's a brilliant plan! Must have come straight out of Dick Cheney's office.

I have to agree with 11:22 PM. Poster 10:43/12:11 needs to put down the crack pipe. All that dope is making his mind turn to mush.; 10/9/07, 12:42 AM

LANL: The Rest of the Story

Oct 5, 2007

The Workforce Restructuring Plan has been released

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