Travis announces additional civilian workforce reductions

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  • By 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Travis Air Force Base will further reduce support function costs during a second round of the Air Force Fiscal Year 2012 Civilian Workforce Restructure. On Nov. 2, 2011, the Air Force announced several adjustments to the civilian workforce-- the addition of 5,900 positions against the Air Force's top priorities and the elimination of 9,000 civilian positions, leaving a deficit of 4,500 positions to be eliminated. The adjustments reflected several initiatives to continue to boost mission effectiveness, eliminate organizational redundancy and reduce spending.

The Pentagon announced today that during this second round, eight civilian positions were eliminated at Travis. This number reflects only .17 percent of the 4,500 positions eliminated Air Force-wide.

"Six of the eight positions scheduled for reduction in this second round are currently empty which will lessen the direct impact on our civilian workforce," said Col Dwight Sones, commander of the 60th Air Mobility Wing. "The reduction of the other two positions, although currently occupied, does not necessarily equate to a direct loss of people as we are exhausting all voluntary force management measures to free up positions for those civilians affected by the reductions."

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 at Travis earlier this month. 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 structure.