Civilian Employees at Fort Benning Prepare for Furloughs
Thousands of civilian employees at Fort Benning near Columbus are being furloughed due to federal sequestration. The employees have been bracing for the cuts for some time but last week they were notified about the furloughs.
Approximately 4,000 civilian employees learned they will start the painful pay cuts next month. Those affected will have to take 11 unpaid days between July 8 and September 30. That amounts to one furlough day per week. Elsie Jackson is a spokesperson for the public affairs office at Fort Benning.
“We’re going to do the best we can to maintain operations. It’s not going to be easy.”
Jackson says most things will get done but they will be slower. She also says the furloughs may force the commissary to close one day per week. But she says some of the biggest effects might occur outside of Fort Benning’s gates.
“I think there may be a ripple effect in out in the community for a couple of months. People are not going to be eating out as much or going to movies as the much, but hopefully by the end of September or sooner this will all be resolved and we can close this chapter and move onto something else, better days.”
Jackson says civilian employees who work in childcare or public safety positions won’t be affected by the furloughs.
9(MDAxODM0MDY4MDEyMTY4NDA3MzI3YjkzMw004))
Top Stories
