It’s now wait-and-see time for members of the American Federation of Government Employee (AFGE) Local 2119 union.
The union, which represents more than 400 workers on the Rock Island Arsenal, say management has forced a contract on them without a vote by local union members. They say this move is illegal and they want management forced to the negotiation table to hammer out a fair deal.
That contract is scheduled to begin on Sunday, April 23.
“Management’s imposed edict is scheduled to go into effect this Sunday. We are awaiting action by the FLRA (Federal Labor Relations Authority) on the ULPs (unfair labor practice) that the union has filed,” Tim Kaufmann, communications specialist with the union, told the QCBJ in an email statement on Wednesday, April 19.
Union officials would not say what actions, if any, the union would take after that new contract goes into effect on Sunday.
On Thursday, April 13, more than 50 members of Local 2119 gathered at Bechtel Park in downtown Davenport to voice their concerns over the upcoming contract and the apparent unwillingness of management with the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) on the Rock Island Arsenal to even attempt to sit down with union members and negotiate a new contract. (As federal workers, wages, time off and insurance are all set by Congress, and workers cannot go on strike. This leaves limited policies to bargain for, like working conditions and scheduling.)
“They think we aren’t going to raise our voices. … We are built to fight. We are ready to fight,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley said at last week’s informational picket.
Local 2119 members said the April 13 gathering was held, in part, to inform the public of the situation so they might contact their lawmakers and have management officials at the Arsenal forced to the negotiation table.
A few days after that gathering, Arsenal JMTC issued this response to the QCBJ about the union contract situation: “The Army is committed to fair labor practices. Rock Island Arsenal-Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (RIA-JMTC) leadership reiterates our commitment to our employees’ interests and to maintaining a positive relationship with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2119.
“The issues raised by the AFGE Local 2119 are currently under review by the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). RIA-JMTC supports this process in good faith and respectfully defers comment until the FLRA has had an opportunity to provide a ruling.”
