After Obama guidance, Lockheed won't issue layoff notices this year

http://thehill.com ^ | 10/01/2012 | Jeremy Herb

[massmike]

Lockheed Martin and other defense contractors backed down from issuing layoff notices to employees on Monday after the Obama administration promised to pick up the tab for severance costs resulting from sequestration.

The news provided welcome relief for President Obama, who faced the prospect of mass layoff notices in battleground states just days before the election, and outraged Republicans, who accused the administration of bending the law to hide job losses from the public.

The White House issued guidance on Friday that said the government would cover the costs if contracts are canceled and layoffs occur due to the automatic

spending cuts set for 2013. But that offer would be null and void for any contractor that issues job-loss warnings before sequestration begins.

Sequestration has become a potent political issue in Virginia, a swing state both Obama and GOP nominee Mitt Romney are desperate to win. Thousands of defense-industry employees live in Virginia’s northern suburbs, and the cuts from sequestration could hit the state especially hard.

Romney has forcefully attacked Obama over sequestration during visits to Virginia, saying the president is standing idly by as the nation’s military force is hollowed out.

[Irenic]

He does seem truly pizzed about this and he can be a little pita when his undies are in a bunch.

[guido911]

If there was only a forum where Romney could confront Obama on this subject, like, I don’t know, a debate or something...

[Tenacious 1]

I hope the Lockheed Martin employees get a lawyer. Anyone laid off (if this goes thru) will have one hell of a lawsuit. Since the companies actions are willfully illegal, the suit can be punishment and far more than the actual damages.

[Mike Darancette]

This is crooked as a snake. Any contractor issuing the letters to employees would be following the law and therefore not subject to legal liability.

If Obama loses how will the contractors collect? An employee laid off without proper notification could probably sue.

[DustyMoment]

Lockheed Martin and other defense contractors backed down from issuing layoff notices to employees on Monday after the Obama administration promised to pick up the tab for severance costs resulting from sequestration.

The news provided welcome relief for President Obama, who faced the prospect of mass layoff notices in battleground states just days before the election, and outraged Republicans, who accused the administration of bending the law to hide job losses from the public.

Obama is certainly generous with OPM (Other People's Money)!

It is a crying shame that he will NEVER be prosecuted for his illegal, criminal acts.

[DustyMoment]

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) says that he will do anything he can to block the Obama administration from reimbursing defense contractors for severance costs if the firms don’t send layoff notices to employees.

So what? Graham is a notorious RINO and, even IF he succeeds (doubtful at best) zero will circumvent the Congress by issuing another Executive Order.

[diverteach]

This is a clear violation of the WARN Act.

[Brad from Tennessee]

[If Obama loses how will the contractors collect? An employee laid off without proper notification could probably sue.]

Unions would probably file the suits which may be part of this whole scam. The labor department guarantees all costs so if sequestration and layoffs happen the unions, on behalf of members, can collect damages from the Labor Dept. (taxpayers).

[chiller]

Lockheed is a fool. Obie won’t be around long enough to cover for them

[Revel]

Bonner(sic) Won’t back him up.