WPAFB -- WPAFB -- The potential for a civilian workforce furlough at Wright Patterson Air Force Base could affect 13,000 people here in the Miami Valley. On Thursday afternoon, base officials talked about the worst case scenario if the sequestration becomes a reality.
Col. Cassie Barlow says the mood at the base is tense, and has been that way since the beginning of the year. The Colonel says everyone is on edge as they wait for work on the potential cuts.
Here's how those cuts could affect the base and surrounding communities. Wright Patt could see a 15% overall budget. A possible furlough of civilian employees is being talked about, but it's in its early stages and it is considered a last ditch effort to save money.
But if it would come to fruition, it would effect 60% of the workforce at Wright Patt, or 13,000 employees. There would be some exceptions to the furlough, but the Colonel didn't know what those would be at this time.
But she does know if a furlough happens, it will deeply effect whether or not the base gets its work done.
"The impact for a potential furlough here at Wright Patterson is severe.", Colonel Barlow says, "I fully expect if we get to the point where we're furloughing civilian employees there will be some things on WPAFB that we will not do during the furlough we just will not be able to get across the finish line without all those employees."
Colonel Barlow again wanted to make it clear that a furlough is the last option for Wright Patt. But if it happens, it would happen sometime in April. Each civilian employee will be given a 30 day notice prior to the furlough. The last time there was a furlough at WPAFB was 20 years ago.
Col. Cassie Barlow says the mood at the base is tense, and has been that way since the beginning of the year. The Colonel says everyone is on edge as they wait for work on the potential cuts.
Here's how those cuts could affect the base and surrounding communities. Wright Patt could see a 15% overall budget. A possible furlough of civilian employees is being talked about, but it's in its early stages and it is considered a last ditch effort to save money.
But if it would come to fruition, it would effect 60% of the workforce at Wright Patt, or 13,000 employees. There would be some exceptions to the furlough, but the Colonel didn't know what those would be at this time.
But she does know if a furlough happens, it will deeply effect whether or not the base gets its work done.
"The impact for a potential furlough here at Wright Patterson is severe.", Colonel Barlow says, "I fully expect if we get to the point where we're furloughing civilian employees there will be some things on WPAFB that we will not do during the furlough we just will not be able to get across the finish line without all those employees."
Colonel Barlow again wanted to make it clear that a furlough is the last option for Wright Patt. But if it happens, it would happen sometime in April. Each civilian employee will be given a 30 day notice prior to the furlough. The last time there was a furlough at WPAFB was 20 years ago.
