After making the announcement that workers will get pink slips earlier this month, the United Space Alliance (USA) who contracts for NASA, sent layoff notices on Wednesday. The layoffs were not a surprise.
“We’ve known since President Bush announced the end of the space shuttle in 2004,” said USA spokesperson Kari Fluegel.
She said the company announced the coming layoffs to all staff on July 6 in order to allow people to nominate themselves. About one-third volunteered. Some chose early retirement, and some chose to pursue other career opportunities.
“It’s very difficult and very emotional,” said Fluegel.
Of the 8,100 workers who are with the contracting company, 15 percent received the notices, a spokesperson with the contracting company told Reuters.
Space shuttles are being slowly taken out of operation as NASA seeks to save costs. The agency will move towards newer and more efficient spacecraft.
In Florida, 902 workers will be laid off, 478 will be laid off in Texas, and 14 in Alabama received pink slips. The workers will be finally let go on Oct. 1.
“These are people that have worked side by side on something they really believed in for decades,” said Fluegel.
The contracting company had to lose approximately 700 jobs last year and in another round in June. The company said they will probably have to lay off more employees in the coming year, reported Reuters.
USA is the largest contracting company for NASA and is jointly owned by both Lockheed Martin Corp. and Boeing Co.
According to Fluegel, the contractor has been offering job fairs, resume assistance, and other supportive services for some time to help workers. Everyone will get a severance package. USA is trying to handle the situation as humanely as possible, and she hopes “we get credit for trying.”
“We’ve known since President Bush announced the end of the space shuttle in 2004,” said USA spokesperson Kari Fluegel.
She said the company announced the coming layoffs to all staff on July 6 in order to allow people to nominate themselves. About one-third volunteered. Some chose early retirement, and some chose to pursue other career opportunities.
“It’s very difficult and very emotional,” said Fluegel.
Of the 8,100 workers who are with the contracting company, 15 percent received the notices, a spokesperson with the contracting company told Reuters.
Space shuttles are being slowly taken out of operation as NASA seeks to save costs. The agency will move towards newer and more efficient spacecraft.
In Florida, 902 workers will be laid off, 478 will be laid off in Texas, and 14 in Alabama received pink slips. The workers will be finally let go on Oct. 1.
“These are people that have worked side by side on something they really believed in for decades,” said Fluegel.
The contracting company had to lose approximately 700 jobs last year and in another round in June. The company said they will probably have to lay off more employees in the coming year, reported Reuters.
USA is the largest contracting company for NASA and is jointly owned by both Lockheed Martin Corp. and Boeing Co.
According to Fluegel, the contractor has been offering job fairs, resume assistance, and other supportive services for some time to help workers. Everyone will get a severance package. USA is trying to handle the situation as humanely as possible, and she hopes “we get credit for trying.”
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