THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 11, 1995 TAG: 9502110046
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CHRISTOPHER DINSMORE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
Up to 78 civilian employees at the Navy's Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair's Portsmouth office could lose their jobs by the end of September, the office's commander said Friday.
Capt. Robert B. Ploeger has requested the Navy's permission for a reduction in force at the end of the federal fiscal year. He also has asked for permission to offer separation incentive pay and voluntary early retirement to eligible employees.
SUPSHIP-Portsmouth employs 431 people, but there isn't enough money in next year's federal budget to keep all of them, Ploeger said.
``There's a chance we might get some budget relief,'' Ploeger said. ``We've got a pretty important function here.''
The command handles the Navy's ship-repair contracts with private-sector shipyards in South Hampton Roads. But as important as that function may be, it must be squared with the Navy's shrinking fleet and declining need for ship-repair services.
``The whole shore infrastructure is being downsized to match the fleet's downsizing,'' Ploeger said.
No decisions have been made yet as to what jobs may be cut, Ploeger said.
Since he took over the command in February 1993, 77 employees have left, many through attrition and early retirement, he said.
In a memo to employees dated Jan. 27, Ploeger called the 78 cuts ``worst case.'' That number could be reduced by people volunteering to take separation incentives or early retirement, and by ``any budget boost we get between now and the time we have to downsize.''
Incentives will likely be offered from March 1 to mid-May, according to the memo. Notices of layoffs would go out around June 1.
``I hope I don't have to do it,'' Ploeger said. MEMO: u.s. norfolk naval shipyard reduction in force layoff by CNB