Workers irate at contractor

FORT DRUM — A Kentucky-based civilian contractor may have damaged its chances of gaining future contracts here because of a flurry of worker complaints this week over false promises and deceptive recruiting.

All calls to the company, M&E Technical Services, went unanswered except for one when the official said, “I am not authorized to make a comment.”

Workers said the company recruited 140 mechanics from the area with promises of at least six months of gainful employment with health benefits after 30 days, but the workers were all let go within three weeks.

The Army’s Field Logistics Readiness Division out of Fort McPherson, Ga., contracted the company to add up-armor kits to medium and heavy tactical vehicles for the 3rd Brigade’s deployment to Afghanistan this month, according to Julie A. Cupernall, media relations officer. The contract called for work to begin Sept. 18 and end no later than Oct. 25.

Although Fort Drum had no oversight or direct control over the contractor, Ms. Cupernall said, “We can make it very, very difficult for them to return. We don’t like to see people treated poorly.”

Steve Belden, one of the mechanics, said, “They told us, ‘You will be gainfully employed until March.’ They told us we’d have full health benefits after 30 days. Nobody made it until 30 days. Some guys got fired on the first day. Every day, guys got sent home.”

Another worker, who asked not to be identified for fear of being unable to find another job, described it like a “game of dodge ball” where workers were called out by name to stand off to one side. Another group was called out by name to stand off to another side, after which one group was told to depart because they no longer had a job there.

“A lot of people (had) quit their jobs over this, and we haven’t even received a paycheck,” Mr. Belden said. “A lot of people got screwed over here.”

The company ran a recurring display ad in recent issues of the Watertown Daily Times headlined “Vehicle Mechanics, Immediate Hire!!” The ad described three different position types that paid from $14.77 per hour to $22.05 per hour.

“We provide a excellent benefit package consisting of medical, dental, vision, life, long-term insurance, disability insurance, 401k and vacation,” the ad says.

The company held an open house at the Ramada Inn on Arsenal Street last month, run by Reggie Booker, according to several who attended. Mr. Booker reportedly said, “I need 140 workers.”

Two men walked in 10 minutes after the close of the event to whom Mr. Booker reportedly said, “Sit down. You have a job.”

“Reggie Booker did all the promising,” one of the workers said.

Mr. Booker, whom some of the applicants knew from previous Fort Drum jobs with another contracting firm, told them they would work 10-hour days, seven days a week for the first 60 days, during which they would be paid time and a half for overtime. After 60 days they would work a normal 40-hour week, and after 30 days the benefits would kick in.

“It was like a godsend,” one of the applicants said, “and then they turned around and did this. I’m dumbfounded.”

Mr. Booker also said the workers required no personal tools except for a set of deep sockets and alignment punches, one of the mechanics said.

“But come to find out they needed a full tool set,” he said, adding that many of the hirees bought tools, only to show up for work Wednesday to find their tools stolen and their jobs terminated.

The workers were so furious that a company official at the job site on Camp Swift Road called the military police twice seeking assistance, Ms. Cupernall said. No arrests were made. Calls to Mr. Booker went unanswered, the last of which led to a recording saying his voice mailbox was full.

“They’re just a crooked company pretty much,” said one of the mechanics who also asked that his identity not be divulged.

Calls to Fort McPherson were unanswered as well.