-Gus
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Let's say a double-dipper gets $10 K per year in a 401k LANS match. Note that these double-dippers don't present an imminent pension cost threat to LANS since they are already on UCRP. However, if they get laid off it will cause an immediate lump-sum severence payout of around $80k and that will hit this year's budget. If LANS lays off a non-UCRP worker with many years of service, they'll be looking at both high severance costs and an immediate hit to the pension fund if the worker start pulling on TCP1 (which seems likely given the poor state of real estate in Los Alamos).
From LANS' fiscal point of view, it would be far cheaper and more cost effective if they went after the young'ins. Salary compression at LANL only serves to strengthen this motive. I would be especially worried if I was a newbie staffer who is non-vested with less than 5 years of service at LANL.
I know this may come as a shock to some people, but LIFO is exactly what I would be expecting LANS to implement if they are looking at the RIF in a cold hearted 'dollars-only' manner.
If you're young or a recently hired worker, then you have good cause to be worried about this RIF.
Another prediction is that the Phase II and Phase III documents have already been [mostly] written & submitted to DOE/NNSA as the plan package (Phases I through III) with the total target numbers but lacking specific numbers for each phase until the rollout of each phase reveals the new target numbers for the following phase. It was probably approved as a package and was awaiting the implementation for each phase on Nov 21st. I suspect this is the reason for the protection of said documents from public view - they contain much more than LANS wants you to know at the moment and without the specific numbers, could legitimately be labeled as a "Draft" document and protected even from FOIA requests.
ReplyDelete"Another prediction is that the Phase II and Phase III documents have already been [mostly] written & submitted to DOE/NNSA as the plan package (Phases I through III) with the total target numbers but lacking specific numbers for each phase until the rollout of each phase reveals the new target numbers for the following phase."
ReplyDeleteI needed oxygen to read this one.
"I needed oxygen to read this one."
ReplyDelete-12/2/07 8:27 PM
Easy old timer. Maybe taking the voluntary isn't such a bad idea for old folks like yourself.
When I read that Domeinici stopped work on the funding bill, this is a real shock, now Nancy Pelosi can do as she wishes, gut the crap out of LANL.....and all Pete can do is sit by and watch his efforts wither along with his health a sad end to for a life-long politician, and oc course for LANL....
ReplyDelete"When I read that Domeinici stopped work on the funding bill"
ReplyDeleteThis does not sound good.
8:10pm here. Sorry. Run on sentences are my specialty.
ReplyDeleteToo bad the RIF package doesn't include the rumored $20K education funding. I might be tempted to take it with a plan to enroll in an English course or two and improve my writing.
Here's the improved version:
"Another prediction is that the Phase II and Phase III documents have already been written & submitted to DOE/NNSA as the plan package. I surmise that Phases I through III as submitted include total target numbers but lack specific numbers for each phase. Each implemented phase will reveal the new target numbers for the phase that follows."
I had a very bad nightmare last night. Nancy Pelosi was running the House, Harry Reid was running the Senate, and Hillary Clinton was running the Whitehouse. Oh, and Tom Udall was our New Mexico Senator.
ReplyDeleteIt was only a nightmare. I'm sure it could never happen in real life. I mean, snakes on a plane would be more likely than something like this, right?
to Anonymous at 12/2/07 10:56 PM, part of your nightmare is happening: Pelosi and Reid. Sort of like Stan and Ollie in charge.
ReplyDelete12/2/07 10:56 PM
ReplyDeleteYou forgot the most important person of all Richardson as VP. Scares the hell out of me, he has proven he will do anything and I mean anything to be Pres.
Let's get back on point - the original post is spot-on. The incentive for self-selection is only attractive to two groups 1) Those about to retire in the next 6-12 months, and 2) Those that already have a job offer and were going to leave LANL anyway.
ReplyDeleteThe net result of this incentive is to give a long paid vacation to the staff who were leaving anyway.
Who picks up the work left behind? Who's programs will be taxed to pay for these vacations?
How does this help with the funding problem at hand? WTF?
How is it possible for LANS and NNSA to be this stupid?