Camp Lejeune plans to layoff 276 maintenance workers

[UpInArms]

http://www.wcnc.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D85DNO880.html

The Department of Defense has decided to lay off 276 maintenance workers at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base to save money.

The base could save $7.1 million over five years by contracting with an outside provider, said base spokesman Maj. Neil Murphy.

Trudie Turner, an organizer with the union representing most of the 265 civilian workers targeted for layoffs, said they were surprised by the announcement.

"We're stunned," Turner said. "We thought we had a good grasp of what was going on, and we did not think we were going to lose. Not only are the workers stunned, but management is stunned, too."

...more...

[theHandpuppet]

1. Let me guess...

"Outside provider" = non-union, immigrant workers willing to work for minimum wage sans benefits and/or health coverage.

[Mel]

2. "Outside provider"

could also equal workers that aren't screened as well. Let's look at the bright side it could very well be a good way for a muckraker to get in or the dark side a way in for a terrorist to get in and have a look around.

I have no faith (from experience) in the fact that a company that's trying to give the lowest bid in order to get a contract is going to do a proper job of screening the employees it hires. The race to the bottom in America continues it's disastrous march.

[mbperrin]

3. For sure, these outside workers will be provided by a company

that starts with h-a-l-l-i-b-u-r-t-o-n!

Look at the billions they've saved us already! (OK, don't look.)

[krkaufman]

7. That's the first thing I thought on seeing the headline.

"Saving money" was the rationalization for all of the privatization in the military... yet we all know that Helliburton workers are being paid many times more than military or direct civilian employees -- and then add-on the profit Helliburton would want for each employee.

The whole privatization scheme is a reverse Robin Hood game.

[mhr]

4. Privatize, Privatize, Privatize - Let's Make Sure Bush's Buddies

Roll in the dole.

[Radius]

5. NC is right to work

Very few union shops. From what local news reports they are looking to use local people for heavy equipment projects. Like grading and digging. So they will basically be outsourcing their full time people to local construction contractors.

The bad part about this is that contractors require supervision or they can abuse you. If you've ever built a house you know what I'm talking about..

Edit spelling. Working in VI and normal editor hurts the brain.

[Ernesto]

6. The USMC must have heard about the Navy

using illegal aliens in San Diego. Too bad they can't lay off some Marines right now...... think of the money they could save if there wasn't a certain quagmire to deal with.