Aerospace Testing Alliance rehires many as workload stabilizes

  • Published
  • By Kathy Gattis
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  Aerospace Testing Alliance (ATA) announced some good news today - the company will rehire many of the employees who were reduced-in-force (RIF).

ATA, the prime contractor at Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC), reduced staffing by 170 people in April. Now the company will try and rehire about 100 of those involuntarily reduced.

The jobs are being restored after the Air Force was able to secure additional funding for the contractor and the test workload improved and stabilized.

"This shows the dynamic nature of our work, but also the faith folks outside of AEDC (Air Force and test customers) have in the value of our work," Pearson said in a note to employees.

"We are a very capable organization that provides real value to the testing community and this is why we're seeing a turnaround," he said.

AEDC has some unique, one-of-a-kind facilities needed for ground testing. During the last year, both the contractor and government workforce have been aggressively marketing and it seems to be paying dividends.

Pearson did caution that the funding situation is and will continue to be dynamic in the foreseeable future... it is part of the business now.

Sequestration, federal budget cuts and testing that was canceled or delayed forced the ATA reductions... the largest since the company was formed in 2003.

Pearson said he is thankful for the improved situation and the tremendous outpouring of support from area leaders, federal and state officials and the Arnold Community Council. ATA continues to work with these groups to try and assist those still impacted by the RIF.