RRAD receives helping hands

Labor groups ask Congress to save depot positions

A national and an international labor association are asking Congress to take action to protect hundreds of jobs Red River Army Depot is scheduled to lose in May, with the possibility of more being shed before the end of the year.

Machinists Union International President Bob Martinez Jr. sent a letter to members of Congress on March 19 concerning the planned layoffs of federal employees and civilian defense contractors at RRAD at the beginning of May.

The text of the letter follows:

Dear Representatives, We are writing to express our serious concerns regarding the impact of the planned layoffs of approximately 170 federal employees and 403 civilian defense contractors on or about May 5, 2018 at the Red River Army Depot (RRAD) in Texarkana, Texas.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) represents the

civilian defense contractors at RRAD, and its affiliate, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) represents federal employees. Both classifications of workers stand alongside each other to provide critical support of our military forces at home and abroad. Now, these workers need our help.

In February, RRAD command announced a reduction in workload based on the FY 18-19 Budget Estimate Submission, decreasing direct labor hours by 1.3 million in FY 18. As a result, a reduction in manpower is planned that will force the layoffs of 573 RRAD workers in May. With the continuing loss of direct labor hours expected to increase into FY 19, further layoffs are a serious possibility later in 2018.

RRAD is the main economic driver for the Texarkana area with a direct impact on communities in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. With RRAD pouring over $2 billion into the regional economy, it should be unacceptable to sustain the loss of workload and the subsequent damage to the economy without a fierce response to demand the transfer work back to RRAD.

RRAD supports the Warfighter through its tactical vehicles production programs, including the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV), the Rough Terrain Container Handler (RTCH), the Small Unit Support Vehicle (SUSV), and the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). Also, RRAD provides all four military branches with vehicle Mine-Resistant Ambush Protection (MRAP), and hosts the only Rubber Products division of its kind, opening the door for work on any type of Wheeled Tactical Vehicle. With that said, RRAD is open for business and ready to accept new work immediately.

We request your assistance in demanding that the Department of Defense take immediate action to protect workload and provide RRAD command with the necessary approval and authority to avert these needless and harmful layoffs. If not, the impact on the Texarkana area, including its economy and communities, will not go unnoticed.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Sincerely,

Robert Martinez, Jr. International President, IAMAW and

Randy L. Erwin, National President

National Federation of Federal Employees, IAMAW, AFL-CIO

In early March, Texarkana and surrounding communities learned about these plans by way of a press release on the depot’s Facebook page, which cited “decreasing workload requirements.”

The depot’s workload is related to military needs established by the Department of Defense to support its soldiers, and layoffs are based on workload projections and budget submissions.

“A reduction in Army workload requirements forces us to make difficult business decisions,” said Col. Jason A. Carrico, depot commander, in March. “It affects the lives of our employees and their families. For those individuals who will be affected, this is not a negative reflection of your performance or your dedicated service to this installation.”

RRAD will establish a Transition Support Center with help from the states of Texas and Arkansas, according to the press release.