CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Co. (CHPRC) and Mission Support Alliance expect to cut up to 300 jobs at the Hanford Site by the end of the fiscal year as two key cleanup projects near completion.
CHPRC, which plans to eliminate up to 250 jobs, told workers Wednesday it expects some involuntary layoffs as part of the reduction in force. Mission Support Alliance might also institute involuntary layoffs if not enough workers volunteer for the up to 50 reductions it anticipates. CHPRC, leading cleanup of the Hanford central plateau, now employs 1,727 workers; Mission Support Alliance, support services provider at the Department of Energy site, has 1,902 employees.
The positions being cut are at the Plutonium Finishing Plant and the 618-10 Burial Ground, with both cleanup projects scheduled to be completed by Sept. 30. CHPRC is responsible for both projects after taking over work at the burial ground when Washington Closure Hanford’s contract expired. Mission Support Alliance provides services to CHPRC to support demolition of the Plutonium Finishing Plant.
CHPRC plans a phased job reduction, with layoffs scheduled for the beginning of May, the end of July, and in September. Personnel may apply for voluntary layoffs in the first phase of workforce restructuring until March 30. The job classifications targeted for reduction were not immediately available, but CHPRC indicated they would involve a mix of union and nonunion jobs.
“I know workforce restructuring is difficult on everyone, and I will continue providing you with the latest information as soon as it becomes available,” said Ty Blackford, CHPRC president, in a message to employees on Wednesday. CHPRC also will work with the local employment office to ensure displaced workers have access to support services, including training in job search techniques and resume writing.
Mission Support Alliance does not expect to need to participate in the first phase of job cuts. It will ask for applications for voluntary layoffs before the July round and might also be forced to supplement approved voluntary layoffs with involuntary layoffs in July and September. All of its cuts will involve positions represented by the Hanford Atomic Trades Council, an umbrella group for about 15 Hanford unions, according to Mission Support Alliance.
Most union members whose positions are eliminated in the workforce restructuring at either contractor would be eligible for “bump and roll.” A laid-off worker could roll to a job held by another union worker at Hanford who has less seniority, bumping that employee onto the layoff list instead. Although Washington River Protection Solutions, the Hanford tank farm contractor, currently plans no workforce restructuring, its workforce could be affected by the bump and roll.
Many workers who leave their jobs through voluntary or involuntary layoffs will be eligible for the standard Hanford severance package. It offers one week of pay for every year worked up to 20 years.
