New Layoff Policy Adopted for LLNL Scientists and Engineers!

On February 1, 1996, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), adopted Director Bruce Tarter's new layoff policy for scientists and engineers. SPSE strenuously objects to the new policy, and has repeatedly argued that the old policy did not need to be changed.

• Don't Be Misled: If you think LLNL had an inverse seniority layoff policy, you are wrong!
• Face Your Fears: They won't magically go away, so act on them!
• Skills, Knowledge and Abilities: Who Decides?

SPSE Protests the New Policy

When the policy was proposed, we sent a letter to Secretary O'Leary at the Department of Energy, asking her to assistance in defeating the new policy. The first response we received, from James M. Turner, Acting Manager of the DOE Oakland Operations Office was unsatisfactory. His final comment, "...we do not plan to intervene in the process at this time." A second response, from Robert W. DeGrasse Jr., Director of the Office of Worker and Community Transition, was more interesting. He included a document entitled, Interim Planning Guidance for Contractor Work Force Restructuring. The upcoming SPSE Newsletter will discuss how this Guidance relates to the change in layoff policy.

Lab Turns a Deaf Ear to Employees' Comments

When management solicited employee comment regarding the proposed policy change, 125 employees responded. Of these, 74 were against the proposed policy, 11 were in favor of it, and 40 expressed concern or requested clarification of the policy. Director Tarter claimed to take the comments into consideration when he revised the proposal to include additional severance pay for employees with long-term service at the Lab. But he missed the point! Most employees did not want the layoff policy changed at all!

SPSE Surveys Employees

In September 1995, SPSE conducted its own poll. We surveyed affected employees (those in the 200 series) to determine how they felt about the new layoff policy. We found that 60% were against the policy change!

Call For an Election

SPSE believes that the most effective way to prevent the Laboratory from continuing to make arbitrary changes to employment policies is to call for an election. This will send a strong message to management that employees want a voice in determining what kind of institution the Lab will be; and will compel management to negotiate in good faith with employees.

In order to call for an election, SPSE must first collect authorization cards from at least 30% of employees in the bargaining unit (200 and 300 series employees). After the election is won, SPSE will spearhead the formation of a Scientist and Engineer Senate.

SPSE
P.O. Box 1066
Livermore, CA 94551-1066
Voice (510) 449-4846
Fax (510) 449-4851

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