About 300 workers who were told they'd be laid off can now keep their jobs at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.
Because Congress approved the 2014 federal budget for 2014 last week, layoffs announced last year can be avoided.
About 160 workers have voluntarily left their jobs at Hanford since late last year. The downsizing was prompted by uncertainty over Congressional budget writing. The continuing budget resolution approved by Congress solidifies funds for the nuclear site for this year.
Many of the 300 workers facing job insecurity are from a company that cleans up radioactive sludge in aging underground tanks. Because the project faces many pressing legal deadlines, the workers’ reversal of fortune comes as welcome news to Hanford watchdogs.
