96 civilian employees receive RIF notices

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Holly Layer
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Ninety-six civilian employees at Wright-Patterson AFB received reduction-in-force notices June 15. 

Due to fiscal year 2007 force structure changes and Air Force program budget decisions, the RIFs were necessary to address the resulting position reductions, said Eric Dilworth, civilian personnel officer. 

"Management made difficult decisions to reshape our workforce in order to have the right capabilities in the future," he said. "There were 187 people who were approved for early retirement or separation. (Voluntary Early Retirement Authority and Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay) is one of the tools we use to negate the loss of jobs." 

Of the RIF notices, 33 were notices of separation, 21 were notices of change to lower grade or band and 42 were reassignment notices. The effective date of all the RIF notices is Oct. 1. 

Mr. Dilworth said those who received notices of separation or change to a lower grade or band are already scheduled for counseling sessions with the civilian personnel office to discuss their options and find out more information. He said the civilian personnel office will work to find jobs for those who are affected by the RIF process until the effective date of Oct. 1. 

"We try to match that person's skill set with a position that is submitted to be filled," Mr. Dilworth said. 

"Our goal is that no one will lose a job, and everyone will be placed on a position, said Gen. Bruce Carlson, Air Force Materiel Command commander. "We will do everything possible to achieve that goal. 

"Air Force Materiel Command is committed to reducing the impact of the RIF actions to the greatest extent possible." 

For this RIF cycle, 279 positions were identified to be eliminated, yet only 33 people received notices of separation, Dilworth said. 

Of the more than 7,600 positions that needed to be eliminated in the years 1994-2006, only 129 people lost their jobs, according to civilian personnel.