Up to 2,357 civilian employees could be laid off next fall at Hill Air Force Base because of upcoming defense cuts, base officials announced Thursday.
The large layoff would be "a worst-case scenario," officials said, depending on how many of Hill's 11,714-member civilian work force either retire or quit. A current hiring freeze and competition for contracts for more work could also reduce the number of layoffs.Maj. Gen. Dale W. Thompson Jr. announced the pending layoffs in an open letter published in the base's newspaper. Employees were also notified by their supervisors when they arrived at work Thursday.
Thompson's announcement came the day after the Air Force's Material Command disclosed that up to 8,000 civilian jobs could be lost in response to future budget reductions and ongoing downsizing of the Air Force.
Thompson, commander of Hill's Ogden Air Logistics Center (which employs most of the Hill's civilian workers), said a final decision on the reduction in force hasn't been made, "but I personally expect we will have one."
Other centers in the materiel command will also lay off workers, he said, but cuts at Hill will be well above the average because of declining workloads for the weapons systems supported at Hill.
"It is also a result of the fact that our attrition recently has been less than other centers," Thompson wrote in the article. "Consequently, we have substantially more people on board than we are authorized (for) today."
Hill, Utah's largest employer, last underwent a civilian reduction in force two years ago, laying off 526 workers and reassigning or downgrading another 1,000.
Thompson estimated 394 employees are eligible to retire and another 2,670 qualify for early retirement. Thompson also held out hope in winning more contracts for work in 1993, which would justify keeping a larger civilian work force.
"I know this is not good news to you and our local communities, but it is the most current information I have at this time, and I feel obligated to share it with you," he said.
A statement from the base said the Air Force Materiel Command has asked the federal officials for authority to reduce its civilian work force in fiscal year 1994, which begins in October, and the layoffs would take place as soon as possible. Federal law requires a 120-day employee notification and a 45-day notification of Congress before the reduction takes effect.
But supervisors at Hill will be asked to examine their personnel needs immediately and decide which jobs can go. "We can't wait for (federal) approval and meet the time schedule, so we are proceeding as if it has been approved," said Beth Corliss, Hill's civilian personnel officer.
She said a reduction in force has been a topic of concern among employees for several months, but the specifics announced Thursday may catch some employees off guard.
Targeted job cuts include: 486 in inventory control; 1,133 in general operation and maintenance; and 738 in electronic and weapons systems maintenance and repair.