Civilian Restructure, Round Two

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  • By 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs and
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Air Force officials announced Wednesday 4,500 additional positions for elimination as a continuation of its FY12 Civilian Workforce Restructure. This reduction builds on the realignments announced in November, including the elimination of 9,000 positions and the addition of 5,900 positions against the Air Force's top priorities. In addition, these reductions respond to the Secretary of Defense's direction to target civilian funding at fiscal 2010 levels.

Edwards AFB will divest an additional 38 positions as a part of the Air Force's continuation of its FY12 restructure plan. During the November Civilian Workforce Restructure announcement Edwards AFB divested 262 positions. With today's announcement Edwards stands to divest a total of 300 positions in fiscal 2012, which includes the 262 announced in the November and the additional 38 positions announced today. Position reductions do not necessarily translate directly to people.

"We value our talented and experienced workforce and are trying to do everything possible to manage these reductions with as little impact to our people as possible," said Michael B. Donley, Secretary of the Air Force.

In an effort to encourage voluntary separations and retirements, the Air Force is currently offering its second round of voluntary separation incentive pay and voluntary early retirement authority programs. Civilian employees received VERA/VSIP eligibility surveys from their personnel managers earlier this month and the applications are due at Edwards no later than Jan. 25. Approved applications will result in separations or retirements that take effect by April 30.

Air Force officials are still evaluating the need for a Reduction in Force.

"At this time, we are surveying the workforce for a second round of VERA/VSIP and are in the midst of management reassignments resulting from the first round of the restructure," said Brig. Gen. Gina Grosso, Director of Manpower, Organization, and Resources. "Once we exhaust all voluntary force management measures, a determination will be made whether or not a RIF is necessary. We hope to have more information in the spring."

This announcement marks the end of civilian reductions associated with the Air Force's FY12 civilian workforce restructure.