Officials at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio have notified 448 workers that they will be laid off, have their pay cut or be reassigned by October.
The Ohio base sent reduction-in-force (RIF) notices to the workers last week. Of the 448 workers, 174 will be laid off, 178 will be assigned to positions at lower pay grades and 96 will be reassigned. The RIF notices are part of continuing downsizing and restructuring at the base connected with A-76 outsourcing initiatives.
Under Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76, the Defense Department is requiring more than 200,000 workers to show that they can do their jobs more efficiently than private sector contractors. In the course of that effort, installations often find ways to cut their staffs.
Last year, Wright-Patterson eliminated 1,100 positions. Donna Scarlata, civilian personnel director at the base, said the installation avoided more layoffs by offering early outs and buyouts last December.
Most of the layoffs affect civil engineers, communications workers and employees at the Air Force Research Laboratory.
Base officials promised to help employees find new jobs between now and October.
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