SPSA Plans Massive Layoffs to Stem Red Ink

Date: February 25, 2010

Source: News Room

According to an article in The Virginian-Pilot newspaper, the troubled Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) in that part of Virginia expects to shed 249 jobs this year as it struggles to balance its budget and pay its massive debt. The layoffs are despite a pending deal to sell its Portsmouth waste-to-energy plant to Wheelabrator Technologies, a division of Waste Management, for $150 million. SPSA's recently released budget calls for trimming expenses by 33 percent next year. Nevertheless, it will still have to charge $170 per ton for waste disposal, the highest rates in the nation. Just three years ago the agency had 548 full-time employees. Through layoffs, early retirements and buyouts that number is down to 411 employees this year and with this next round of layoffs, the number will shrink to 162 next year.

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