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Voluntary Separation Offered At Paducah, Portsmouth

May 8, 2000

Workers at DOE uranium enrichment facilities have two options for incentive programs.

The United States Enrichment Corp. (USEC), with the Department of Energy (DOE), are offering two voluntary separation incentive programs to workers at gaseous diffusion plants in Paducah, Ky., and Piketon, Ohio. The programs are designed to help ease the impact of about 625 job reductions at the two facilities in July.

USEC has lowered the number of anticipated job reductions at the two plants, downward from 850, due to normal attrition, increases in project work, more DOE work and other factors. The two sites have been in the news the past several months because of worker exposure to radiation and other toxic chemicals.

All impacted workers will receive a package of benefits, including training assistance up to $10,000, medical benefits to cover employer-paid premiums, relocation and outplacement assistance, based on eligibility criteria.

The voluntary separation incentive programs will provide workers two options for voluntary separation:

The first will provide a lump sum payment of $12,500, in lieu of earned severance, for workers who began working at the plants on or after USEC was created in July 1993, and $17,500 for workers whose careers began before that date. USEC will contribute $2,500 for each lump sum participant, with remaining costs funded by the Department of Energy.
The second will allow workers who volunteer to separate to receive a payment equal to their earned severance.

Acceptance for participation in these programs is contingent on determinations by USEC that a worker''s separation is consistent with its ongoing business requirements. The opportunity to volunteer for participation in both separation programs began May 5 and will remain open until at least May 24.

After completion of these programs, USEC will assess the extent of any needed additional work force reductions, including involuntary separations. In addition to the benefits described above, a involuntarily separated worker will receive earned severance and preference in hiring by DOE contractors and subcontractors.

by Todd Nighswonger

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.