Donnelly Looking to Help Crane Workers
Acting Secretary of the Army Robert Speer (left) and U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly discussed the exemptions last week.
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowU.S. Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN) says he is continuing efforts to protect workers at Crane from being affected by the federal hiring freeze ordered by President Donald Trump. Donnelly’s office says about 130 civilian employees at Crane Army Ammunition Activity could be affected by the freeze.
Donnelly met Thursday with Acting Secretary of the Army Robert Speer to discuss the exemption involving CAAA, which is a tenant of Naval Support Activity Crane. He says four employees have already been impacted by the hiring freeze and some 80 more could be affected next week.
"Secretary Speer and I had a productive meeting (Thursday) morning, and I am hopeful that we will resolve this situation working with the Army and Crane leadership before any other Hoosier employee is impacted," said Donnelly. "I will continue working with Army and Navy leaders to ensure that Crane and its workers can keep doing the vital work necessary to support our troops and protect our national security."
The meeting follows the letter Donnelly sent last weekend to Secretary of Defense James Mattis requesting exemption from the freeze for CAAA. Donnelly’s office says the U.S. Department of Defense announced guidance on the implementation of the freeze, including exemptions for civilian personnel.
You can view Donnelly’s letter to Secretary Mattis below: