MCLB Albany job losses will worsen
Hundreds of jobs at the Marine Corps Logistics Command here in Albany are being cut and more may be in jeopardy under a presidential order for defense cuts.
The MCLB Albany Maintenance Center and Barstow Maintenance Center in California will be combined under one command. A city councilman in Barstow says Albany will lose 537 jobs.
Thursday, MCLB Albany would only confirm that 360 contractors will lose their jobs in a 15 month drawdown that begins in October.
But as the maintenance center consolidation moves forward, the number of job cuts here will rise.
There are two things at work here, the reduction in work and the 360 layoff, then the efficiency effort which will have the Marine Corps combining our Maintenance Center with the one in Barstow.
While they're not releasing number for the efficiency reductions that might happen, a councilman in California is giving us some idea.
As of today, the Marine Base employs 2,980 Civilian workers, and 430 marines are stationed there.
The news came first from California, a Barstow City Councilman made his concerns about job losses at the Marine base there known at their Monday night commission meeting.
"We will not have civilian management at the marine base, Albany, we're not the only one, the other marine base is Albany is losing 537 jobs. It's a presidential order," said Barstow, CA Councilman Tim Saenz.
After we started asking questions about what would happen here, Marine Logistics Command opened up about the upcoming losses in Albany. The Maintenance Center will cut 360 jobs over 15 months.
"We don't need a larger force to do a reduced amount of work that's going to occur in the next FY because that wouldn't be too efficient either," said Colonel Stephen Medeiros.
Earlier Thursday a meeting was held with employees who could lose their jobs. These are workers who turn wrenches on vehicles.
"In Albany here that's going to be contract personnel, contract employees that are going to be affected," said Medeiros.
We've learned a time line has been put in place, the human resources offices here in Albany, and Barstow will issue letters to employees eligible for buyout through August 22nd. Those interested must respond by September second.
"It's never an easy thing to do because even in this case, contract employees are a huge part of our workforce and any reduction is unpleasant and unnecessary so I'm sure there is angst out there," said Medeiros.
There could be more angst in the future. With the reduction of defense spending as a result of the debt ceiling agreement reached by Congress more efficiency reductions are likely ahead with a consolidation of Maintenance Center Albany and Barstow.
Thursday base officials wouldn't put a number on reductions from that consolidation. All Marine officials could say is there's a lot going on and actions taken by the federal government impact local bases.
Base officials today said since 2002 the maintenance cent's employment has grown to fit combat needs, but now those needs are shifting.
We've called our US Senators and Congressman, the only one we heard from was Congressman Bishop late this afternoon.
He said, he's deeply concerned about the announced job cuts and believes these cuts jeopardize our nation's military readiness.
Rep. Sanford Bishop statement on recently announced MCLB Albany Job Cuts
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