Northrop gives layoff notices to 293 JFCOM contractors

SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Northrop Grumman issued a warn notice about potential lay-offs to 293 workers on Monday who support the Joint Forces Command's (JFCOM) Joint Warfighting Center.

Leah Smith, with Northrop Grumman Technical Services, told WAVY News 10 the contract under which the workers support JFCOM is up for rebid through the Department of Defense.

If Northrop Grumman does not retain the contract, the lay-offs could happen as early as April 24.

Smith said it's unclear at this point how the rebidding will be impacted by the changes under way at JFCOM.

Last October, the Pentagon ordered JFCOM eliminated as part of far reaching budget cuts. The command, whose mission is to train troops from all military services to work together, has a budget of just under $1 billion, and its closure is expected to save about $430 million a year.

Federal law requires companies to notify employees if more than 50 employees have the potential for lay offs during any 30-day period.

Last week, the city of Suffolk announced that it has established a hotline to help employees impacted by the upcoming closure JFCOM.

According to the city, the number, 757-461-7537, is the first in a number of programs and resources that will be made available to those who will be displaced or to those whose businesses might be impacted.

In February, Gen. Ray Odierno, Commanding Officer of JFCOM, estimated Hampton Roads would lose 2,300 jobs, or just under half the command's work force, when JFCOM is closed. The command's elimination is expected to be completed by the end of August.

More than 5,700 people are employed by JFCOM according to its website. That includes military, civilians, and contractors.