GSA considering reduction in force
Up to 400 employees could be in jeopardy, according to some sources.
Editor's Note: This story was updated at 9 p.m. Feb. 26, 2006, to correct the spelling of Deidre Lee's name.
The General Services Administration is considering a reduction in force and will brief lawmakers on its situation Monday, according to agency spokesman David Bethel.
The agency has two separate issues to deal with, Bethel said.
For one, merging the Federal Technology Service and the Federal Supply Service into the Federal Acquisition Service creates some redundant positions. Also, Bethel said, the agency's costs are not in line with its revenues, forcing officials to consider making cuts.
Jack Hanley, the president of the National Federation of Federal Employees Council of GSA Locals, said he learned in a Feb. 22 briefing that GSA may need to offer some employees buyouts and that the agency could seek early-out authority from the Office of Personnel Management.
That news came from Deidre Lee, assistant commissioner for integrated technology services at GSA, who said that up to 400 employees could be affected, Hanley said. Bethel declined to comment on the number.
“Employees are very scared,” Hanley said. “We’re hoping there might not be blood.”