WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) - Sen. Charles Schumer says the Army is backing off plans to privatize more than 300 public works jobs at West Point.

Schumer said Secretary to the Army John McHugh called him Monday and said the plan is likely to be scrapped, but a formal decision is yet to come.

In March, the Army said it wanted Ginn Group of Peachtree City, Ga., to take over more than 300 carpentry, plumbing, grounds maintenance and some other operations at the academy. The plan ran into fierce political opposition from Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-NY, and other Congressional representatives.

The Government Accountability Office last week, citing flaws in the cost comparison analysis, said the Defense Department's privatization plan would waste taxpayer dollars.

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