Arkansas National Guard recalls furloughed employees; though shutdown over, impacts linger Published Oct. 17, 2013 By Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, Ark. -- After nearly three weeks of a partial government shutdown, the Arkansas National Guard received word early Thursday to begin recalling 376 furloughed state and federal employees back to work. The 188th Fighter Wing was forced to furlough more than 50 state employees in its Security Forces Squadron and Civil Engineer Squadron as well as multiple sections on base. Those employees are all in the process of returning to work. Many are already back on the job. The announcement of a Congressional agreement on a continuing resolution to fund and reopen the government not only brings all workers back, but also includes reinstatement of normal monthly training for traditional Guardsmen, meaning they will drill again starting in November. The 188th was forced to cancel its October unit training assembly. Although those days can be made up during fiscal year 2014, it created a hardship for many 188th and Arkansas National Guard Soldiers and Airmen. "The past few weeks were hard on the Guard; we have a lot of healing to do," said Maj. Gen. William D. Wofford, the adjutant general for the Arkansas National Guard. "However, I am inspired by our Guardsmen, civilian employees and communities who came together during this challenging time to get the job done." Supervisors are working diligently this morning to contact all furloughed employees to provide direction to return to work as soon as possible. This is being carried out in a direct and expedient fashion in order to get everyone contacted and back to work. Guidance is for all employees to make necessary arrangements (i.e.; child care, transportation, etc.) to return to work today or as soon as possible after notification by supervisors or directors. Employees are asked to wait until notified by their supervisors prior to returning to work as State leadership is still waiting on specific timecard and implementation guidance. Guard leadership is working to find ways to mitigate the hardships of this furlough, and help all employees to get back on their feet. Although everyone is being brought back to work and most functions will return to normal schedules by Monday, the utility conservation measures are being continued in order to save dollars wherever possible. "We still have some challenges ahead," said Wofford. "Although the shutdown is over, it will continue to have second and third order effects on our Guardsmen, civilian employees and families for months to come."
Arkansas National Guard recalls furloughed employees; though shutdown over, impacts linger Published Oct. 17, 2013 By Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, Ark. -- After nearly three weeks of a partial government shutdown, the Arkansas National Guard received word early Thursday to begin recalling 376 furloughed state and federal employees back to work. The 188th Fighter Wing was forced to furlough more than 50 state employees in its Security Forces Squadron and Civil Engineer Squadron as well as multiple sections on base. Those employees are all in the process of returning to work. Many are already back on the job. The announcement of a Congressional agreement on a continuing resolution to fund and reopen the government not only brings all workers back, but also includes reinstatement of normal monthly training for traditional Guardsmen, meaning they will drill again starting in November. The 188th was forced to cancel its October unit training assembly. Although those days can be made up during fiscal year 2014, it created a hardship for many 188th and Arkansas National Guard Soldiers and Airmen. "The past few weeks were hard on the Guard; we have a lot of healing to do," said Maj. Gen. William D. Wofford, the adjutant general for the Arkansas National Guard. "However, I am inspired by our Guardsmen, civilian employees and communities who came together during this challenging time to get the job done." Supervisors are working diligently this morning to contact all furloughed employees to provide direction to return to work as soon as possible. This is being carried out in a direct and expedient fashion in order to get everyone contacted and back to work. Guidance is for all employees to make necessary arrangements (i.e.; child care, transportation, etc.) to return to work today or as soon as possible after notification by supervisors or directors. Employees are asked to wait until notified by their supervisors prior to returning to work as State leadership is still waiting on specific timecard and implementation guidance. Guard leadership is working to find ways to mitigate the hardships of this furlough, and help all employees to get back on their feet. Although everyone is being brought back to work and most functions will return to normal schedules by Monday, the utility conservation measures are being continued in order to save dollars wherever possible. "We still have some challenges ahead," said Wofford. "Although the shutdown is over, it will continue to have second and third order effects on our Guardsmen, civilian employees and families for months to come."