Facility Closed Due To Roofing Problems Will Shut Down For Good

Considering the roof has already fallen in at the Millville Airport Flight Service Station, it might not sound surprising to hear that the facility will likely close in the very near future. Nevertheless, the news came as quite a shock to the employees who learned this week they have little more than two weeks left to work there, instead of the six-to-18 months they were originally told.

According to a letter written Thursday by National Association of Air Traffic Specialists Regional Director Ron Consalvo, the news came from Lockheed Martin, the company scheduled to take over operations at the facility on October 4.

The company is giving current employees the option of either resigning from the company or moving to a new location -- at their own cost, according to a report in the Bridgeton, NJ, News.

Lockheed Martin was originally supposed to take over control of the facility from the FAA, maintaining operations there while keeping on most of the current staff. However, that was before an air conditioner fell through the facility's roof late last month.

"The unfortunate collapse of the Millville AFSS roof has required Lockheed Martin to adjust our planning in regards to your employment situation," said a company letter given to employees. "The FAA is currently evaluating alternatives as to what they will do about repairing the facility, but, in any case, the facility will not be available for at least 60 days or longer."

Consalvo was quick to state that many of the employees at Millville will not be able to make the move.

"For 11 employees, this does not work," he said. "Personal or family situations will not allow us to move."

Lockheed Martin is offering those Millville workers who had already accepted employment offers from the company the choice to transfer permanently to one of three FSS hubs in Arizona, Texas, or Virginia before October 10. Unless an employee was already selected to receive a relocation package to one of the locations, such a move would be on the employee's nickel. An employee could also transfer to one of 17 "legacy" sites within the same timeframe, under the same terms.

If an employee opts not to take a permanent transfer, they will be offered a temporary assignment to any AFSS of their choice within the Eastern Service Area. Such an assignment would indeed be temporary, however, lasting a minimum of 120 days.

FMI: www.naats.org, www.lockheedmartin.com