Workers at Drum tell New York attorney general of gripes

Steve Lester

Oct. 11, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- FORT DRUM -- Some 60 disgruntled workers who say a Kentucky-based civilian contractor misrepresented the jobs they were hired for while exposing them to hazardous materials are taking their complaints to the state attorney general's office.

Workers say M&E Technical Services promised them six-month jobs that started in September but will end Sunday.

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.

A representative from the state attorney general's office met with the workers on post and gave them forms to fill out for an investigation into worker grievances.

"We are pursuing this aggressively and if the allegations turn out to be true, we will be taking action," said John T. Milgrim, a spokesman for the attorney general's regional office. He said he encourages the workers to call his office in Watertown at 785-2444.

All the workers who have spoken with the Times have told similar stories of being promised six months of employment. The contract for this particular job, however, calls for the work to be completed by Sunday after beginning Sept. 18, according to military sources.

"The prime contract was awarded to Stanley and Associates in July 2007; a one-year option was exercised in July 2008. Stanley and Associates subcontracted to M&E Technical Services for the Ft. Drum project; the project value is about $2.4 million," according to an e-mail from Dan Carlson at Headquarters, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island, Ill.

Worker complaints include:

--Respiratory problems from breathing paint residue during removal and reapplication. Workers say they were told to use the brand PWC, the label of which contains multiple warnings against consumption of any form. They also said METS officials tried to conceal the paint from inspectors under speculation that the brand had been banished from Fort Drum. "We're all spitting up this green-white nasty milky stuff," said Ronald J. "Jody" Dancause.

--Having no medical coverage to address health problems for having dropped other coverage to work for METS. Workers say they were told they would work for six months and receive health coverage in 30 days but all were dismissed within three weeks.

--METS officials losing workers' personal information, including bank account and Social Security numbers two and three times, and then finding copies of the information in nearby trash bins.

--Being told they needed few tools at first, and then told they needed "a full toolbox." Some workers say they bought four figures' worth of tools with a credit card and didn't work long enough to cover the expense. Many of the workers said they came to work this week to find their tools stolen and their jobs terminated.

--Workers being hired and then fired within days for no apparent reason. Workers described the beginning of their work days like "a game of dodge ball" where a METS official called out names for some to stand on one side of the garage in a group. The official then called out another set of names to stand in another group, after which those in one group would be told to leave the premises because they no longer worked for METS.

--Fungus contamination in wooden crates of armor kits having been left out in the rain.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0216-28700326