Security was off-limits in the initial round of job reductions planned as part of the Voluntary Separation Program at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, but that has changed. Federal and contractor officials confirmed that the VSP has been expanded to include some security personnel at Y-12, although it apparently will not include Security Police Officers—the armed guards at the plant—as the payroll is reduced in the coming weeks. It also does not include emergency services personnel. Under the previously announced Voluntary Separation Program, the target was to reduce 140 jobs from the Y-12 payroll, with 1,100 eligible to apply. A total of about 4,300 people currently work for the Y-12 contractor.
Bill Reis, a vice president with B&W Y-12, said Tuesday the jobs target at Y-12 has been expanded by about 18 to include security personnel. About 75 employees have been added to the list of people eligible to apply for the voluntary departure program, he said. B&W is carrying out the jobs reduction based on the staffing plan put forth by the incoming contractor, Consolidated Nuclear Security, which is headed by Bechtel National. Effective July 1, CNS will take over combined management of the Y-12 and Pantex nuclear weapons plant under terms of the $22 billion contract awarded by the National Nuclear Security Administration.
Ed Veiga, a spokesman for B&W Pantex, said there had been no change in the VSP targets at Pantex. According to the earlier numbers released by the contractor, the jobs target at Pantex is 30, with 162 employees informed they were eligible to apply. A total of about 3,100 people work for the Pantex managing contractor.
