DESPITE SEQUESTRATION, LOS ALAMOS LOOKS TO AVOID LAYOFFS

As Los Alamos National Laboratory grapples with the impacts of sequestration, the lab still believes contractor employee layoffs can be avoided, according to a message sent yesterday to employees. Los Alamos’ budget is set to be reduced by approximately $61 million for the remainder of the fiscal year—a cut the Department of Energy has said is expected to result in furloughs or layoffs for approximately 8,200 contractor employees. However, Los Alamos believes it can mitigate any further impacts of squestration through “control of hiring and purchasing,” lab Director Charles McMillan told employees. “I continue to be confident that a reduction of our regular workforce is not a viable option,” McMillan said. “We are also being careful not to overreact with short term decisions that might realize some cost savings now but leave us with gaps in our capabilities for the future. As always, we must be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars while continuing to deliver with excellence on our mission commitments.” Los Alamos also views “short duration” furloughs as a “last resort option” for dealing with sequestration, lab spokesman Kevin Roark said yesterday.