Depot to lay off 600

Red River Army Depot is expected to reduce its workforce by 600 jobs beginning in May because of decreasing workload requirements, according to a press release.

The press release, posted Thursday on Facebook, cites “decreasing workload requirements” as the reason for the reduction “to contractor, temporary and term workforce.”

As many as 400 employees and up to 200 temporary and term government employeesees will be

eliminated, according to the press release. The reductions are expected to begin in May, and more could be laid off in August, it states.

“The bottom line is that RRAD’s workload is directly related to (Department of Defense) requirements to support our soldiers. The potentially affected depot workers include employees supporting major production, inspection and support areas across the depot,” the release states.

The layoffs are based on workload projections and budget submissions, and the “situation is constantly being monitored,” the release states.

“A reduction in Army workload

requirements forces us to make difficult business decisions,” said Col. Jason A. Carrico, depot commander. “It affects the lives of our employees and their families. For those individuals who will be affected, this is not a negative reflection of your performance or your dedicated service to this installation. However, we must consider these actions to properly match our workforce to workload requirements.”

RRAD will establish a Transition Support Center with help from the states of Texas and Arkansas, according to the press release, “to educate and assist each employee in understanding their rights and benefits and to take full advantage of all available resources in the community.”