Washington State Department of Printing to Cut 20 Jobs
The Washington State Department of Printing, the fourth largest in-plant in the country according to annual sales, has just notified 20 workers they will lose their jobs this month, according to The Olympian. The move reflects continuing reductions in staffing at state agencies, a result of the 2009-11 budget that took effect July 1. That budget called for elimination of about 3,200 full-time equivalent positions in general government and higher education institutions statewide.
"We laid off 18 employees and reduced the status of two additional employees from full-time to part-time," clarifies Director Jean-Luc Devis. "We are closing two copy centers and have a number of other cost containment measures in place to reduce costs."
The cuts are a result of cutbacks in spending at other agencies, which no longer order as much printing because their own budgets were cut or they are squeezing expenses.
"Agency customers are holding back on print orders and are using other methods to communicate their messages due to the severe budget cuts our state is going through," adds Devis. "We are trying to reduce expenses as fast as revenue is dropping but as you know that can be quite a challenge, especially if you have significant fixed costs."
The cuts will reduce the employee count at the in-plant to about 100. According to The Olympian, the layoffs include seven workers at copy centers that the in-plant will close on January 22; the centers are located at General Administration in Olympia and at the Department of Social and Health Services in Lacey. Other jobs will be cut at the main print operation in Tumwater.
“It was because our current expenses have exceeded our current revenue. … We service all of the state agencies, so as they realize budget cuts … it’s one of the areas they cut back,” Laura Johnson, customer relations manager for the printing agency, told The Olympian.
Employees have mixed feelings about the cuts.
“It is what it is. I could cry about it. But that’s not going to serve me any,” said Thom Pickard, a customer service representative, in an interview with The Olympian. He has worked at the agency full time for 1.5 years and as a temporary employee for two years before that.
“So I’ve been putting out job applications. It is what you make of it. I feel bad for some of the people who have a lot of time invested with the department.”
Read The Olympian article here.
Related story: Washington DOP Adds NexPress, Gets FSC Certified
- People:
- Jean-Luc Devis