Reduction-in-force update Published July 29, 2008 By Susan Griggs Keesler News KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- The civilian personnel office received a second retention register from the Air Force Personnel Center July 24, with an update on the potential number of employees who could lose their Civil Service jobs or be placed elsewhere when Computer Sciences Corp. takes over base operating support services. "This is the final week that we'll be able to offer Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments under the A-76 reduction-in-force process", said Lee Hathorn, human resources officer. "We have exactly 100 employees who have accepted the voluntary separation incentive payment, but the number changes almost daily as we continue to seek ways to create vacancies." VSIP recipients have been removed from the RIF, reducing the number of employees targeted for separation to 94. "However, the commanders throughout Keesler have been very open to waiving qualifications for employees who aren't qualified, but who also possess the knowledge, skills and potential to learn new jobs," Mr. Hathorn pointed out. "By waiving qualifications and allowing people not affected by A-76 to retire, which also creates vacancies, the number of affected employees should be lower than 94 by the time the process is finished. We may be looking at less than 65 separations -- hopefully a lot less." Mr Hathorn explained that the civilian personnel office is still working with commanders to waive qualifications for additional employees. Additional names and positions will be provided to AFPC this week. This will require AFPC to generate a third register to officially assign the employees to positions not impacted by A-76 instead of being separated. Specific RIF notices are issued after receipt of the third register. The civilian personnel office is also reviewing the second register to determine the proper time to issue the right of first refusal listing. "That listing must be coordinated through Air Education and Training Command, and most likely will be issued by AETC contracting about mid-August," Mr. Hathorn stated.