Portsmouth shipyard workers back on the job
Despite a continuing stalemate in Washington over a deal to end the government shutdown, workers at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard are returning to work today after beginning furloughs a week ago.
The Portsmouth Herald reported the roughly 1,200 workers furloughed last Tuesday were notified Sunday afternoon to report to work today. Shipyard spokesman Gary Hildreth told the paper he did not know the reason for the end of the furlough, but the paper reported it is likely because of an order from Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Saturday that ordered most Pentagon employees back to work.
The decision from Hagel is based on an opinion on the Pay Our Military Act, passed just before the shutdown. Government attorneys decided the law does not allow a blanket elimination of all Pentagon furloughs but allows “employees whose responsibilities contribute to the morale, well-being, capabilities and readiness of service members” to return to work.
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments