The Virginia Department of Transportation eliminated six positions Tuesday in its Culpeper District, according to spokesman Lou Hatter.
In an effort to reduce staffing costs in a worsening economy, VDOT notified 230 hourly workers statewide that their employment will end June 6.
The cuts address the state’s $2.6 billion shortfall in transportation revenues over the next six years.
The Culpeper District employs 500 workers in nine counties: Culpeper, Louisa, Fauquier, Rappahannock, Orange, Madison, Greene, Albemarle and Fluvanna.
“The reality of our budget shortfall means that we have to prioritize spending on safety-related projects and to maintain our existing highways,” said VDOT Commissioner David S. Ekern. “None of these are easy decisions for us to make.
“We know that these decisions will impact the public and the lives of our valued professional staff, but we must make the sound business decisions necessary to ensure the long-term viability of Virginia’s transportation system and our department.”
In February, VDOT announced plans to reduce its overall staffing levels by 1,000 full-time employees and 450 wage staff over the next 18 months.
As of Jan. 1, VDOT had about 600 hourly employees and 8,400 full-time, salaried workers. The agency wants to have 7,500 classified employees by July 2010.
According to the news release, wage employees are not eligible to receive severance benefits.
VDOT officials credit attrition and usual part-time seasonal reductions with assisting in the cuts.
VDOT is also offering transition assistance including job-search and resume-writing training.
In addition to cutting personnel, the state agency is reducing the number of rest areas and welcome centers, ferry services, safety service patrols, interstate maintenance services and vegetation management.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement