OAK RIDGE, Tenn. - The government contractor at the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant in Oak Ridge says employee furloughs now appear unlikely.
An earlier assessment of automatic budget cuts that became effective Feb. 1 concluded the plant might have to furlough up to 1,000 employees for up to six months.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reported that, in response to questions, B&W Y-12 spokeswoman Ellen Boatner said the contractor does not expect furloughs to be necessary. The contractor has reportedly found ways to keep from forcing workers to take unpaid leave.
B&W Y-12 outlined its plans for reducing spending in a report submitted last week to the National Nuclear Security Administration.
That report said reductions include canceling a summer intern program, and delaying technology upgrades as well as cutting travel, training and supply purchases.