Layoffs are coming at the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory at Alliant Tech Systems in Mineral County.

ATK Missile Products Communications Director Rod Gibbons says they expect to make the cuts at the end of March because the company’s fiscal year begins in April.

“At this point we don’t have a number yet. We have asked employees that may want to consider offering that they be considered for these layoffs,” Gibbons said. “We do this in the hopes to minimize the impact of how many people we have to lay off in March. But at this point we are still working through the impact to people.”

Gibbons says no specific department is being targeted yet.

“We are focusing on the workforce what we have are some key program areas that we are looking to transition over but we have not identified specific departments or parts of the facility yet we are just asking folks if they want to be considered to please let us know so we can fold that into our planning,” Gibbons said.

The news may be confusing because it comes as the company announces a new contract.

“We just announced that ATK has been selected to develop a new warhead system for an army multiple launch rocket system and it is a pretty exciting new program here for the company and for the U.S. Army. And the main production for that system will be taking place out at ABL,” Gibbons said.

But despite the new contract the layoffs are inevitable.

“We value our people. These situations are never easy for us to do we try our best to be up front with people and let them know what is going on and continue to ask for people’s support as we go through these trying times,” Gibbons said.

ABL at ATK in Rocket Center West Virginia currently employs about 1,350 people.

A memo from ABL Vice President and General Manager Pat Nolan said government spending reductions are one reason for the layoffs. The new budget year begins for ABL in April and according to Nolan they will not be able to operate effectively with their current headcount.

Workers will be offered a Voluntary Workforce Reduction Plan that will allow employees to request that they be considered to be laid off.

Article source: http://www.wvmetronews.com/news.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=51085

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