Talking Points on Planned Department of Defense Layoffs

Tuesday December 11, 2007

• AFGE is the nation’s largest federal employees union, representing some 200,000 civilian defense employees – many of whom are veterans.  Hundreds of AFGE members have or are currently serving overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan in military and non-military capacities.
• Secretary Gates last month announced layoffs in February 2008 if the Pentagon does not receive $178 billion in emergency war funding by mid-December.  However, former government insiders (including a former Reagan official) said that the layoffs are not necessary, because Congress has already approved $460 billion for its 2008 spending programs. The department could transfer funds from other Defense accounts to cover war costs until the war supplemental bill is approved.
• How dare Secretary of Defense Gates use a blatant political maneuver to undermine the efforts of civilian defense employees to provide vital services to the men and women who serve our nation overseas, and to their families here at home who await their safe return.
• The men and women subjected to the layoffs provide critical services to our men and women in the military around the globe.  Their work includes repairing tanks, bombers and other military equipment. 
• We find it unconscionable that during a time of war, the Department of Defense and in particular, Secretary Gates would schedule the layoff of thousands of civilian defense employees.
• The planned furloughs by the Department of Defense of thousands of civilian employees are irresponsible, repulsive and repugnant.  To make civilian defense employees pawns in a political game of chicken is disgraceful.
• This planned announcement comes just in time for the holidays. It is heartless to treat the thousands of civilian defense employees so callously; many of whom are themselves veterans and have bravely served this country in previous battles.