So just how important was it to lay off 160 people yesterday, instead of waiting until 2:09pm on May 11th? Do we really think the budget savings will enable the Theater on E Street to continue to produce plays until 2010 and beyond as a result? Or did the new proprietor, Viceroy Gerst, punch with a low blow in his continuing desperation to produce an uproar in Congress outside of Florida?
Taking advantage of the limelight being afforded the Hubble Repair Mission to pursue an agenda that was declared dead back in 2004 is not a demonstration of "leadership in action." No, playing with morale a week before a launch is yet another example of how we got here in the first place.
4 comments:
Here is the math: the Shuttle budget for procurements (contractors) was $3.1 billion in 2008, $2.9 billion in 2009, and $2.7 billion in 2010. How do you reduce? You reduce the workforce charging to your program. Despite happy words from some elected representatives there is no new money coming in to the shuttle program. In order to fly the manifest as it is currently laid out, the reductions have to be made or there will be an overrun in 2009 and 2010. Mr. Gerstenmaier is providing good leadership and management to accomplish the mission within his budget.
"Mr. Gerstenmaier is providing good leadership and management to accomplish the mission within his budget"
Not a week before arguably the most important shuttle launch ever, he isn't. No one is arguing it shouldn't be done, but the timing on this is despicable.
Present a whole solution if you're going to second guess a Viceroy who historically has been a straight shooter. Where is the money going to come from to continue employing these people? Once a top line is allocated, managing to budget is a zero sum game. Platitudes of "Yeah, but he should have kept them on just because" are idealistic drivel. I agree with the sentiment, but this is the real world. Managers deal with numbers not wishes.
"present a whole solution..."
You're missing the point. He didn't say not to execute the layoffs. He said wait a week until the next launch is safely out of the way.
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