DOD cuts lead to 43 disabled employee layoffs - WAFF-TV: News, Weather and Sports for Huntsville, AL

DOD cuts lead to 43 disabled employee layoffs

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By Mary Howard - email
HUNSTVILLE, AL (WAFF) -

A company who employs people with disabilities had to lay off 43 people die to budget cuts.

Phoenix, a local nonprofit organization providing jobs and services to people with disabilities, had to lay off 43 custodians at Redsone Arsenal due to federal funding budget cuts.

"The Garrison staff has worked diligently to help us minimize impact on our employees," said Phoenix CEO Bryan Dodson. "But the budget reductions they  face leave  them no choice but to decrease the frequency of custodial  services in many  buildings. A decrease in frequency of service means some of our custodians, the vast majority of whom have vocational disabilities, will lose their jobs."

95 percent of the 43 layoffs were people with disabilities.

"All employees that are laid off will have call back rights as openings occur through attrition and Phoenix will provide other programs of assistance to help them find other jobs," Dodson explained. "Unfortunately for taxpayers, many of the people with disabilities losing their jobs may have to go back on public assistance programs."

The 43 custodians made up 15 percent of Phoenix's total employment on the base.