THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 12, 1997 TAG: 9701110249
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: 28 lines
Work performed by more than 10,000 Navy employees will come under review as the service looks for ways to save money by shifting services to private business, a spokesman said Friday.
The Navy said many of the targeted employees work in areas ``in which a wide commercial market already exists, ensuring the maximum benefits from competition.'' The functions include motor vehicle maintenance, data processing and child care.
Of the 10,663 employees targeted in fiscal 1997, 8,403 are civilian. The review is a prelude to a larger initiative that could eventually reduce the Navy payroll by up to 50,000 civilian and 30,000 military positions.
Cmdr. Mike John, a Navy spokesman, said the Navy has no estimates on how much money would be saved because cost feasibility studies continue. No action will be taken until the studies are completed, and existing personnel will be given a chance to compete with private entities.
``We will have no conversions to commercial contracts unless the cost comparisons that are under way now reveal that the contracting method is the cost-effective way,'' John said.
KEYWORDS: U.S. NAVY JOBS