More layoffs at San Jose's airport

Sept. 16, 2010

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Sept. 16--Mineta San Jose International Airport officials are proposing to cut six positions as they relocate and consolidate their administrative offices from North First Street to the airport.

As part of that process, the airport is dismantling the airport's communications/dispatch center and replacing it with an operations center. The work of nine communications service operators who field calls from the press, airlines and air traffic control, among others, will now be done by airport administration staff.

Airport officials estimate that the job cuts will reduce annual airport costs by about $540,000. Meanwhile, three senior operations specialists who patrol the airfield, oversee calls for security and monitor buildings throughout airport, among other duties, will be added to the list of 16 current specialists.

In the last budget year, the airport has cut 93 positions, including 54 custodial jobs that were outsourced.

The relocation is expected to save almost $2 million in annual rent.

The San Jose City Council is expected to vote on the job reductions at its Oct. 19 meeting. If the council agrees with the proposal, airport officials say the cuts would go into effect in early 2011.