Lawrence Lab To Lay Off 535 Employees

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory will lay off 535 employees beginning as early as mid-May, officials announced Tuesday.

The lab will release full-time employees who largely work in administration, in addition to scientists and engineers, said lab spokesperson Lynda Seaver. The last time it let go of permanent workers was 35 years ago.

"We're doing everything to make sure we still meet our mission, but obviously this does have an effect," Seaver said. "There are a lot of good people we're going to have to release."

The U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration approved the involuntary layoffs Tuesday. This development marks the latest in director George Miller's efforts to cut lab costs by reducing its workforce, spurred by the institution's $280 million in increased costs, Seaver said.

UC solely managed the lab until October 2007 and now manages it with several other organizations as part of the security group Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC.

The $280 million in increased costs partly stems from new tax costs, from which the lab was exempt under the university's management. In addition, the lab received $100 million less from Congress this year, Seaver said.

The lab offered 750 employees voluntary buyouts last month, but only 215 accepted them, according to Seaver. It had also released more than 500 employees belonging to its temporary workforce.

The lab, which specializes in nuclear research and development and works within the Department of Energy, employs about 8,000 workers total, according to its Web site.

UC spokesperson Chris Harrington said that while the layoffs are unfortunate, lab officials do not believe they will compromise the institution's research.

"These are challenging decisions to have to make, but we are working to ensure that the lab is effective and that its operations are at the right level to meet the scientific and technological needs that lie ahead," he said.

Lab officials have no plans to let go of more employees, but will need to re-evaluate the budget next year, Seaver said.

"We've made a number of cuts to administrative programs ... and are tightening up in a number of ways," she said. "This is the last thing we wanted to have to rely on."

Tags: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORIES