HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -
The reality of automatic federal spending cuts is beginning to kick-in for many in North Alabama.
The Department of Defense
announced Thursday afternoon civilian employee furlough notices will not go out
for another two weeks.
DOD officials said this will
allow them to analyze the impact the continuing resolution legislation will have
on the department's resources.
The American Federal of Government Employees said prior to
sequestration cuts, they expected as many as 70,000 people to have a direct
impact and lose part of their salary and hours.
Some of those people will be
protected for at least the next two weeks as the DOD goes over these cuts.
DOD officials said they have not
made any decisions on whether or not the total number of planned furlough days
for fiscal 2013 will change as a result of this delay.
However, some former employees
are already out jobs.
An army civilian had his term
just run out and his job was eliminated. He said even though you don't see it
yet, these decisions are really hurting our area.
"Don't be fooled because
it's going to have a big impact on government, the ones being furloughed, the
temps that aren't getting renewed, and contractors," he said.
The Pentagon expects to notify up to 800,000 civilian defense workers across the country that they may be furloughed.
Redstone Arsenal employee, Vivica Stokes, talked about her concerns. She works to provide material support for troops overseas.
Lately, Stokes has been reviewing her finances and worries about what a potential furlough will do on her budget.
The Pentagon said workers have the option of staying at home on unpaid leave for 22 days or stay home one day each week from April 21st through September 21st.
The result equals a 20-percent pay cut.
"Everybody is trying to keep an eye on that but we're also trying to not only support each other, but even from our leadership. Everyone's trying to be supportive. Regardless of what's going on with this, we still have a mission to do," said Stokes.
Stokes said that includes continuing to provide material support for troops abroad.
These furloughs expect to go in effect in late April.
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