The Commandant of the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle held a town hall meeting on Thursday, to outline the army's plan for furloughing workers. But an hour later the Department of Defense put the pending furloughs on hold.
In happier times, Gen. Tony Cucolo accepted Commanding General of the Army's senior educational institution in a change-of-command ceremony, at the Carlisle Barracks. Given the possibility of furloughs, he said the two command priorities are health and safety, and to execute the educational core mission of the War College effectively and efficiently.
In a memo, the war college said, "...he delay is a responsible step to take in order to assure our civilian employees that we do not take lightly the prospect of furloughs and the resulting decrease in employe pay."
The delay will allow the Department of Defense to analyze the impact of pending, continuing resolution legislation. No decisions have been made on whether the number of planned furlough for fiscal 2013 will change ,as a result of the delay.
The 1,700 person work force includes military faculty and staff and Army War College students. About 700 civilian employees would also be affected. The delay has raised concerns and confusion among them.
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The Department of Defense has decided to delay civilian furloughs for about two weeks.
This delay will allow the DoD to carefully analyze the impact of legislation on the department’s resources.
At this time, the Carlisle Barracks have not made any decisions on whether or the total number of planned furlough days for the 2013 fiscal year will change as a result of the delay.
On Thursday, a town hall was held at the barracks with Major General Tony Cucolo, commanding general of the U.S. Army War College, speaking with the civilian employees and supervisors of Carlisle Barracks.
Information below provided by the US Army War College:
Leadership of the Army War College and Carlisle Barracks organizations has planned for the possibility of furlough of DoD civilian employees. The town hall meeting communicated the planning to those who would be affected if the Army issues guidance to furlough. Responsible planning for the possible furlough is intended to clarify how a furlough if implemented would affect DoD civilian workers, and in turn the changes in schedules and services for the workforce, base residents, and the Reserve, National Guard, and Military Retired personnel, and community who frequent Carlisle Barracks.
The town hall meeting was provided for informational purpose only. No action has been taken to issue any notice of proposed furlough to employees.
IF the Department of Defense implements a Civilian Furlough, it will be to help DoD meet funding reductions associated with sequestration.
Given the possibility of a furlough of DoD Civilians, Maj. Gen. Cucolo outlined command priorities: first, to maintain the health and safety of residents, workforce, and those who frequent our post and its services; and, to execute the U.S. Army War College core educational mission effectively and efficiently; to communicate to the workforce quickly and accurately; and to apply policies consistently throughout our organizations with equivalent impact across the workforce.
IF a DoD Civilian Furlough were to be enacted, impact on employees of Carlisle Barracks includes --
· Civilian Employees paid by DoD appropriate funds would be required to take 22 days of leave without pay, i.e., furlough days before September 30, 2103
· Individual impact would be a 20 percent salary cut for 5.5 months
· Employees to be furloughed would receive a 30-day Notification of Proposed Furlough letter
· Approximately 700 civilian employees would be affected, out of the 1700-person workforce (includes military faculty and staff, Army War College students, and Morale, Welfare and Recreation workers)
· Exemptions: civilians in the International Fellows Office and full/part/flex time workers in Morale Welfare Recreation jobs
· Furlough days at Carlisle Barracks would be the 1st day of the work week
· Specific furlough days may be adjusted due to mission requirements on a case-by-case basis
· Benefits tied to salary will be affected, e.g., TSP contributions to retirement, and leave earned.
IF a DoD Civilian Furlough were to be enacted, schedules and services would change –
- Ashburn Gate – to close daily; all traffic routed through Claremont Gate
- Firefighters will maintain continued 24/7 presence with reduced capability/capacity, and with greater reliance on local volunteer fire companies
- Dunham Army Health Clinic – to close Mondays
- Carlisle Barracks Commissary -- to close Wednesdays [in addition to the current Monday closures for stocking]
- Legal assistance/ claims - to suspend Monday services
- Military retiree services and ID card services -- to close Mondays
- Army Education Center -- to close Mondays
- Army Community Service, Substance Abuse Program – to close Mondays
- Army Family Housing – to close Mondays
- Civilian Personnel Office – to close Mondays
- Garrison Headquarters – to close Mondays
Army War College classes continue with schedule to accommodate DoD Civilian students and Civilian faculty, who would be subject to furlough.
Military personnel and contractors’ are not affected by a possible furlough.
IF a DoD Civilian Furlough were to be enacted, hours for the gyms, pool, bowling center, auto/crafts shop may change.
In planning for a possible furlough, supervisors and the Civilian Personnel Office are prepared to guide employees. The resource for Administrative Furlough Guidance and Procedures: www.opm.gov/furlough
