KBR Services LLC, a primary contractor at the Fort Irwin National Training Center in the Mojave Desert will lay off at least 59 maintenance, logistics and support personnel currently employed around the 1,200-square mile facility.
On the chopping block are 15 lead mechanics, 35 tactical vehicle mechanics and nine warehouse workers, most of whom work out of or within Building 896 on Langford Lake Road, based on a WARN Act filing with the State of California.
The WARN Act is a federal law that requires employers to provide advance notice of plant closings and mass layoff to affected employees. While it is a federal law, versions of the WARN Act, which is an acronym for Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Law, have been enacted in 18 states, including California. California’s WARN Act is intended to provide protection for workers and supplements the federal WARN Act, ensuring that employees receive sufficient notice and benefits during layoffs.
According to KBR Services LLC, which has at least $771 million in contracts with the U.S. Department of War to provide services to the Army’s Northern Command and European Command, the layoffs will commence on May 6 and involve reductions in logistics and maintenance support at the Army center.
The Fort Irwin National Training Center, located in the Mojave Desert north of Barstow, involves one of the world’s largest underground facilities, extending from Ft. Irwin northward into, within and below the Mitchel Range, the Waterman Hills and the Calico Mountains.