Furloughs at Westover to take $2M out of local economy

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - The 439th Airlift Wing Commander at Westover Air Reserve base spoke to Chicopee city leaders on Tuesday about the potential effects mandatory federal cuts could have on the base.

Col Steven Vautrain spoke at the meeting at the Chicopee Public Library in the early afternoon. He said that under the mandatory cuts, 759 civilian employees at Westover will be furloughed, losing about 20% of their pay; which will take about $2 million out of the local economy.

Also during the meeting, officials signed a statement of support for the men and women who serve our country. The statements re-enforce the responsibilities of employers when it comes to National Guard members and Reservists.

Earl Bonett, the vice chair of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve addressed department heads to promote the unique skills military members can bring to the civilian workforce.

"There are more people in the Guard and Reserve that are unemployed than in the general public, and of course, if they are serving their country and a vacancy comes up and they're not in the area to compete for that vacancy, when they do come back, it presents another mountain to climb," Bonett said.