WMATA to cut 500 positions to save money

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will eliminate about 500 positions over the next several months in an effort to reduce costs, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Paul Wiedefeld said yesterday in a letter to senior management.

The job cuts will apply to positions that are deemed redundant or non-safety critical, according to the letter.

The agency also will eliminate nonessential vacant positions.

WMATA's human resources is revising outdated policies that guide staff reductions for positions that are not essential, Wiedefeld said. After that review is completed, positions will be identified for elimination.

Yesterday, the agency's office of budget and management provided department heads with a list of vacant positions that will be cut, Wiedefeld wrote.

Last month, Wiedefeld laid off 20 managers as part of his agency restructuring plan. He also met with 650 "at-will" employees to explain his priorities as WMATA's leader.