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U.S. Navy Completes Workforce Realignment in Italy

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101015-08
10/15/2010

From Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia completed its workforce realignment Oct. 15 aboard U.S. Navy facilities in Naples and Sigonella.

Announced Feb. 25, the Navy enacted a series of realignment initiatives to align installation support services in Italy with current and future operational requirements.

As a result, 44 U.S. positions were eliminated; 39 local national personnel received involuntary separations from employment; and 52 local national employees were reassigned to vacant positions created by voluntary resignations and a hiring freeze.

"We value the contributions of all our employees and undertook this difficult effort with considerable diligence," said Rear Adm. Tony Gaiani, commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia. "Responsibly reorganizing our workforce meant doing everything possible to minimize the number of involuntary separations, and every possible step has been taken to assist affected employees and their families throughout this process."

The Navy temporarily suspended hiring during the workforce realignment process to minimize prospects for job loss. In addition, the Navy granted separation incentives to 24 employees who either occupied an excess position or who occupied positions later utilized for reassignments.

"We started with 91 local national positions that were identified for realignment," said Gaiani. "Through normal attrition, voluntary separation incentives, and competitive and non-competitive reassignments, we were able to bring that number down to 39 local national employees who actually received involuntary separations."

If an eliminated position is re-established or an equivalent position becomes available within a 24-month period, personnel involuntarily separated as a result of the workforce realignment are entitled to reappointment.

A comprehensive review of the regional workforce structure identified the excess positions in public works, family readiness, and Naval Facilities Engineering Command programs in Naples and Sigonella. As operational requirements for U.S. and allied forces have changed, the number of Navy facilities in Europe has declined.

"Our allies and operating forces rely on Navy installations to provide efficient and effective shore service support well into the future," said Gaiani. "We are now better postured to do just that."

While some U.S. and contract employees were hired during the workforce realignment period, none of these employees replaced local national employees in excess positions. The U.S. Navy has used contract employees for years, both U.S. and local national, for some types of work that do not require permanent staff.

"As guests in Italy we have a responsibility to uphold the applicable laws and regulations. And we have done so," Gaiani said.

Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia employs more than 9,000 military personnel, more than 5,000 local national personnel, and more than 2,000 U.S. civilian personnel across six installations on three continents.