AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT VIRGIN ORBIT

Long Beach, California-based Virgin Orbit, a spin-off of Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic space tourism venture, has announced that it will cease operations and lay off the majority of its staff due to its inability to find additional funding for the enterprise.

The decision will impact 675 employees, or approximately 85% of the company’s workforce.

CEO Dan Hart observed, “Virgin Orbit is ceasing operations’ for the foreseeable future’ after failing to secure a funding lifeline. The company will lay off nearly all of its workforce. We have no choice but to implement immediate, dramatic, and extremely painful changes.

“This company, this team — all of you — means a hell of a lot to me. And I have not, and will not, stop supporting you, whether you’re here on the journey or if you’re elsewhere.”

Some employees were upset when they found out that the board of directors approved a “golden parachute” severance plan for top executives in case they are terminated “following a change in control” of the company on the day they announced the layoffs.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn’t happened yet, doesn’t mean it won’t. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE

Centennial, Colorado-based United Launch Alliance, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing providing spacecraft development and launch services, has announced the closure of its Harlingen, Texas, operations by the end of 2023.

The closure is driven by the retirement of the costly Atlas V rocket and competition from newer launch vehicles.

The closure will impact 100 employees.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? LAYOFFS AT VALIANT INTEGRATED SERVICES

Herndon, Virginia-based Valiant Integrated Services, a military contractor offering engineering, logistics, training, and other services, has announced that it will be closing its intelligence unit at the U.S. Army National Training Center located at Fort Irwin, California.

The closure will impact 114 Army analysts, including 101 “TAFF Specialists,” (Training Analysis Feedback Facility), 7 Operations Planning/Team Leads. 4 Lead Planners. 1 Project Manager, and 1 TAF Lead Analyst, with separations scheduled for July 30, 2022.

It appears that the decision was driven by the prime contractor Raytheon Technologies' handling of a $173M master contract at Ft. Irwin and the possibility of a replacement contractor.

According to a company spokesperson, “This closing will involve cessation of all operations and layoff of all employees at the site.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?