Hanford contractors laid of 235 workers Monday because of sequestration, most of them union workers. In addition, about 2,500 nonunion workers will be required to take furloughs. The layoffs do not include some subcontractor workers who may lose their jobs as several contractors cut back on their subcontracted work. The largest number of layoffs were at Mission Support Alliance, which cut 112 union positions. With fewer workers, the Hanford support services contractor may take longer to deliver services. Among cleanup work that will be slowed is removal of glove boxes and other contaminated equipment from the Plutonium Finishing Plant. Cleanup crews there will be reduced from 12 to 8. CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Co. also will delay work to construct an annex at the K West Basin to be used to remove sludge. Although pump and treat systems will continue to operate, new wells will not be drilled.
Washington Closure Hanford will defer most work under a $15 million subcontract awarded this winter to Sage Tec for Hanford 300 Area cleanup, including work to clean up contamination associated with the Plutonium Recycle Test Reactor. It also will defer sending about 200 drums from the 618-10 Burial Ground to Perma-Fix Northwest for treatment. Washington River Protection Solutions continues to talk with DOE about work affected by sequestration impacts, but will be reducing some subcontracted work.