Thursday, Sep. 04, 2008

Fluor Hanford offers voluntary layoffs to employees

By Annette Cary, Herald staff writer

Fluor Hanford employees were offered the chance to apply for voluntary layoffs Wednesday as the company's contract with the Department of Energy expires.

About 1,000 of Fluor Hanford's 3,600 employees are eligible for retirement, said Judy Connell, Fluor Hanford spokeswoman. The company has not set a target number for the reduction in force as it prepares to turn over work to new contractors.

"We're just trying to make a win-win situation for everyone," she said.

The voluntary layoffs give employees another option and allow Fluor to provide a true list of available workers to incoming contractors, she said.

Fluor Hanford's contract with the Department of Energy at the Hanford nuclear reservation expires at the end of the month, although a portion of it may be extended until both incoming contractors can take over.

The Fluor scope of work has been split in two with CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation taking over cleanup of central Hanford Oct. 1 and a team led by Lockheed Martin taking over site-wide support services Jan. 1.

Fluor Hanford workers can apply for jobs under the new contractors, but there is no guarantee they will be hired.

"Allowing a self-select early retirement option is the right and fair thing to do for workers," said Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., in a statement. "This provides an option so that eligible workers can make the decision that is best for themselves, their families and their futures."

Fluor employees were told Wednesday shortly after the new support services contractor was announced that CH2M Hill was evaluating its staffing needs for central Hanford cleanup and Fluor was evaluating its staffing needs as it provides site support services through December.

"We project that personnel needs will be less than they are today," said Fluor Hanford President Con Murphy in a message to staff.

All employees of Fluor Hanford and subcontractors EnergySolutions Federal Services and Numatec Hanford Corp. are eligible to apply for voluntary layoff with the exception of firefighters, fire captains and security police officers.

However, not all voluntary layoff applications may be accepted. Employees' last day on the payroll will range from Oct. 3 to Nov. 21.

Severance packages will include a week of pay for every year worked up to 20 years, plus the company's share of health insurance premiums paid for a year, with some exceptions.

"To our departing friends and co-workers, I offer my personal thanks for your contributions to Fluor Hanford's success," Murphy said. "Together we have made significant progress toward cleaning up the Hanford Site."