Metro to Eliminate 500 Jobs

Washington, DC — Metro will eliminate a total of about 500 positions over the next several months because of budget concerns, according to a memo posted online by multiple news outlets.

The memo, signed by Metro chief Paul Wiedefeld, comes at a time when Metro is in the midst of an extensive "SafeTrack" plan to fix chronic problems throughout the rail system.

Some of the jobs to be cut are vacant, but it's not clear if those will make up a significant portion of the positions that are eliminated.

"In order to operate in a businesslike manner and achieve cost savings as we enter FY17 on July 1, and to prepare for the FY18 operating budget, positions must be terminated," Wiedefeld states in the memo. "I have directed the elimination of a total of about 500 positions over the next several months."

Wiedefeld said the decision stems from an assessment Metro conducted to "identify non-essential vacant positions, as well as positions that are redundant and/or are no longer deemed critical to Metro's core business interests."

The Office of Management and Budget will provide department heads with a list of those positions that will be eliminated.

Although many of the positions are vacant, the move likely will also mean many Metro employees will be fired. The memo did not specify how many, however.

"In the case of represented positions, Labor Relations will work with department heads to ensure proper notifications and adherence with collective bargaining agreements," Wiedefeld said. "Human Resources will work with department heads to implement the administrative process necessary to notify non-represented personnel of impacts to their positions."

Wiedefeld fired 20 non-union Metro employees last month in a move he called management "restructuring."

Meanwhile, riders complained on Twitter about the poor conditions on their Monday commute: