The union that represents some 400 workers at the Rock Island Arsenal says those skilled employees have been forced since Monday, April 3, to accept a contract that “was not bargained in good faith or even agreed upon by the union.”
Leaders of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2119 also worry that the ongoing yearlong battle for a new contract will create turnover and impact employee morale at the Arsenal’s Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC).
In response a request for comment by the QCBJ, the Rock Island Arsenal JMTC public affairs office emailed this statement today: “The Rock Island Arsenal – Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (RIA-JMTC) values the long standing relationship we have with the American Federation of Government Employees. While we work through outstanding issues, RIA-JMTC leadership remains committed to our employees’ interests and the accomplishment of the RIA-JMTC mission.”
In a statement released Monday, April 3, AFGE 2119 called the contract “disastrous” for Arsenal workers – including machinists, welders and painters – who are not allowed to strike under federal law.
“The highly skilled workforce at the arsenal is able to take raw materials and quickly produce fully finished military hardware such as Howitzer cannons, mobile repair modules, and even portable kitchens for military operations,” the union said.
Tim Russell, chief steward of AFGE Local 2119, said, “Our members and leaders have taken every opportunity to hash out this contract in a respectable way that recognizes both the importance of our work and the rights guaranteed to our workers by federal law. Unfortunately, management hasn’t respected either of those aspects.”
“We’ve gone to the table with management multiple times and left thinking that a fair agreement has been reached, only to be met with specific aspects of the contract changed without our input. They’ve actually tried to slip in changes that weren’t even discussed. This has happened five times, and we have not agreed to any versions of the contract,” added Mr. Russell. “The latest version of this contract is still being forced on us without our approval. It’s absurd and shows a lack of respect for the crucial work we do.”
Arsenal employees are part of the United States Department of the Army, which is part of the Department of Defense.
