Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s main campusRegardless of whether the federal government shuts down or runs out of money next month, one of Tenessee’s biggest federal facilities will be cutting its staff this fall.
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory is asking for voluntary retirements or resignations to cut up to 475 jobs by the end of the year at the Department of Energy complex, which currently employs about 4,500 workers. Although Congress is still debating the fiscal 2014 budget, ORNL Director Thom Mason said the staff cuts and other expense reductions in Oak Ridge are being proposed in anticipation of another cut of about $100 million in the lab’s budget for the fiscal year that starts Tuesday.
ORNL’s current budget is just under $1.5 billion, or about $100 million less than last year’s operating budget for the lab.
“Due to the uncertainty of the upcoming budgets and the outlook for a budget reduction, we think the prudent thing to do is to get ready, rather than face a crisis or emergency,” ORNL Communications Manager David Keim said.
The lab already has trimmed staff, pensions and other benefits. Those wishing to leave ORNL with extra severance will have until mid-November to apply and, if approved, those workers will leave by Dec. 31, Keim said.