Fluor has enjoyed a reputation for treating their personnel very well. That may now be a thing of the past. It appears that former KBR “leadership” has infiltrated the highest ranks of Fluor and could very possibly be taking advantage of their personal networks to relive the good old days. Some of you may remember those good old days, where men were men and the minions knew their place.
I’ve been told in order to be eligible to work for Fluor on LOGCAP IV you must be eligible for re-hire by KBR. What? Say it isn’t so!! In theory this should weed out the undesirables but in the case of KBR it’s just the opposite. The bulk of the bad seeds at KBR are not terminated. They are just transferred or promoted to get them out of the way or could it be to keep them from being subpoenaed and deposed. Or they are just quietly sent home.
So here is a very abbreviated list of personnel most likely not eligible for re-hire?
Those horrible folks who didn’t wear their hat and lanyard?
- Unfit and not ready for duty
Those people who had the audacity to call the Ethics Hotline?
- Malcontents
Employees who don’t believe sexual favors are part of their job requirements?
- Not a team player
Employees who take pride in their jobs and want to do it right the first time?
- Reduced revenue because the job is only done once
Employees reporting crimes of theft, fraud, waste and abuse
- Not in the best interest of the shareholders
I am still stunned at Fluor’s decision to hire some of the managers they’ve hired from KBR. That may account for this whole alleged “black balling” situation. Fluor is doing themselves a huge injustice of this true.
And I am still having a hard time understanding why the DoD is allowing Fluor to hire all these KBR managers that were in command when all this shit was happening. Is the DoD going to allow Fluor to turn into KBR? I can see the handwriting on the wall!!
If you have been denied employment by Fluor because of your association with KBR email me. I would love to see a copy of that denial letter. To the best of my knowledge BLACK LISTING is illegal.
If you are “Not Eligible For Rehire” for KBR and it’s a bogus claim, you really need to get that cleared up. If you were violated, mistreated, exploited, harassed and/or retaliated against march into DRP (Dispute Resolution Program) and file a complaint to clear your name!
Now…if you got drunk and were racing trucks on the airstrip or something equally stupid and were fired and are “Not Eligible For Rehire” then you deserve it.
Someone with the authority (DoD) to investigate these hiring practices and the possible misconduct involved needs to step up to the plate and end this cycle of injustice now. Do not allow Fluor to perpetuate KBR’s reign of terror.
Ms Sparky
What a coincidence. I just got this comment on the Bruce Stanski post. It fits here too. If you are being black listed. Call Fluor’s Ethics Hotline!! Hopefully theirs is better than KBR’s.
Interesting there were only 257 calls in 2007, that is probably less than KBR gets in a day. Here is the contact information if anyone would like to voice their concerns:
FLUOR
In 2007, the Ethics Hotline received 257 calls, all of which were investigated.
The Compliance & Ethics Hotline
1-800-223-1544 (call toll-free within the U.S. & Canada)
+1-704-556-7046 (call collect outside U.S.)
This is from the Green Zone on KBR security. We had a hostage briefing last night that was presented pretty good but thats because the Dept of State helped. We were told to travel in pairs and that the insurgents were wanting to kidnap an American. To make a long story short we were told not to be so obvious,watch our surroundings and also that the bad guys know that we as KBR cannot carry weapons or any type of protection. Then the question was brought up about advertising who we are by wearing this red lanyard and hat! The response from the security guy was there are a couple contractors that don’t wear there lanyards you can go to. Kind of what we figured they say. I thought it was in KBR’s contract to keep us safe? They’re telling us to be careful but if they make us wear the KBR gear, to me thats letting the bad guys know who we are,where we go and when? It’s like letting them know to grab one or two of us and what to look for?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
The Green Zone has always been a higher risk for abductions. It never was really green! But you’re right about the hat and lanyard making you a target!!! My crew took a vote and decided I would never be able to carry a weapon….hmmm It must have been my shoot now talk later no bullshit attitude. Anyway, I always carried a knife clipped in my pocket. A Kershaw Whirlwind.
Best of luck clearing your name through the DRP process. There have been many that have attempted this and few that have succeeded. The only reason I can come up with for the stonewalling is that if you the claim you file is valid and it involves something that KBR would have to report to the DoD, DCMA, DCAA etc. it is not in KBR’s best interest to act on your behalf and clear your name. KBR’s record appears to lean more toward condoning the unethical and perhaps illegal activities of their leadership via complacency.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Has anyone been successful clearing their name and reversing the “Not Eligible For Rehire!”
Keep the posts coming. Its wonderful to be able to spread the word of the injustices done to all human kind in that hell hole. I saw it first hand for 3.5 years all over southern iraq.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I everyone would love to hear the specifics of your experiences.
KBR’s intelligence have always been always weak. They tend to water down everything based upon their experience. Their experience was always a question. Most but not all of the KBR’s security were nothing more than a desk jockies. One individual comes to mind. He was a former Navy Seal. He was straight and to point. His assessments were accurate when compared to other sources.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I didn’t have any experience with security in as far as being in trouble. I think security has the same issues as anyone other group. They have the goods ones and then they have bad ones. It’s all about the management. I do personally know a just and fair security guy. Now whether his management allows him to stay that way…who knows.
What about the folks that reported someone who was in the position or was a member of the KBR friends and family plan, got terminated and the box checked ineligible for rehire. Then KBR has an epiphany and discovers the “complainer” was telling the truth, is KBR going back and correcting the employee files for those that were wrongly terminated? This has never happened that I am aware of.
And what about the employees that didn’t do anything wrong but were associated with the Kinfolk, Brothers and other Relatives and were ask to “take one for the team” on the pretense that their employee file would be “taken care of” but it wasn’t because the person was lying or had to cover their own A$$?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Yes…what about that!!
Take one for team means being hung out to dry. More KBR crap to save themselves. KBR will not help anyone.
Ms Sparkt’s Response:
Yes it does!
“The response from the security guy was there are a couple contractors that don’t wear there lanyards you can go to.”
I would think that the Military has better things to do in a combat zone than deal with a contractor that causes added security risks by using their employees as free advertising space!
Increased risk, increased liability and troops potentially being engaged over a BASEBALL CAP??? WTF
Ms Sparky’s Repsonse:
Yep!! If KBR would spend the same amount of time and energy to do the job right, wouldn’t things be grand!
Just one more attempt to write people up and send them home…only to be replaced by a TCN!
Ms Sparky’s Response:
That’s what it sounds like to me.
“Curious said,on June 19th, 2009 at 6:48 pm What about the folks that reported someone who was in the position or was a member of the KBR friends and family plan, got terminated and the box checked ineligible for rehire. Then KBR has an epiphany and discovers the “complainer” was telling the truth, is KBR going back and correcting the employee files for those that were wrongly terminated? This has never happened that I am aware of.”
Yes, it has happened. KBR won’t apologize. They just don’t give a damn.
It’s a crying shame. B&R (LogCap2) in the Balkans was a very professional operation. Many of those old-timers were sent oin LogCap3, but were pushed out by the “new” people with their poor management skills.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
KBR has proven time and time again their primary agenda is to make money. Being a fair and just employer is not even in the equation.
Hey everyone… CHECK OUT THIS:
http://www.indeed.com/q-Iraq,-jobs.html
I found this earlier today in my email about a clss pm job with agility/taos..
SURPRISINGLY, DEFAC, ELECTRICIANS… MWR?????
Maybe KBR is going to sell the CLSS contract?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Hmmmm
Agility – a lot of the top brass is former KBR top brass
I have heard there are issues?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
And I am sure they are acting perplexed.
i don’t know. but maybe it’ll help some folks who got RIF’d. but then again, be careful what you wish for, right?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
You got that right!
This weekend, I will add more info about Agility…yes there are a lot of ex-KBR in there…including Joe Cosumano..if you joined KBR in LOGCAP3 you should be familiar with his name…he was one of the top dogs in KBR…now, he is currently the CEO – President of one of Agility’s subsidiary company….additionally, if you were in the US Army, you should’ve heard of him, he was a Lt.Gen….once again, we see how this whole contracting is connecting the people in the top brass….i can’t quite discount the fact that some if not most of this same mentality is the reason why this business is so screwed up. There’s a reason why it’s called civilan contracting and contractor, it’s because its not being done by the military! No disrespect to our military officers, but when you start having the same contractors lead by some of these ex- “top” military brass who’s been leading folks the military way, and most probably even his/her personal life, its just a matter of time, those 30+ years of military glory will beg to come out. You have an going war, your company is in the frontlines, by all means, get that SME in there, get that military intel, decision maker to make sure everything is accounted for, get that ex-commander in there. But when you’re trying to run a business, have employees treated equally based on current labor laws, provide incentives to keep the right people, to do whatever it takes to make the company succeed, then you get someone who knows how to run a business, not someone who knows which DSN number to call in Washington or in CENTCOM!
just my 5 cents…i may need the extra 3 cents cause’ i mentioned Washington and CENTCOM in there!
Romulus
Ms Sparky’s Response:
These DoD contractors are running their businesses like military units. Unlimited sums of money are available if you have the right connections, soldiers do what they are told and if not they can be seriously punished and if they screw up they can just cover it up…classify it, call it something else or pretend it never happened.
WE ARE CIVILIANS not soldiers. LAWS APPLY….deal with it. If you aren’t happy about having to abide by the whole “law thing” talk to your buddies who came up with the LOGCAP program.
Thanks Romulus,
Cosumano didn’t come onboard with KBR until 2005. I believe he replaced Craig Peterson. Also at Agility is Paul Cerjan who was the LOGCAP HQ Program Mgr. in Iraq 2004-2006(?).
Ms Sparky’s Response:
You guys are going to come in so handy for my “Generals Club” and “Former KBR Managers” posts
I’m familiar with Cerjan, Cosumano forgot about him. I’ve been with KBR for 5 years. I’m getting off the horse since its starting to limp on one leg.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Smart move!
to chick……
you will see more vetting for positions that may sound like KBR’s old backyard…both Agility and Taos are connected to DynCorp. In their JV or agreement, each group be it Agility or Tao’s get’s so much out of any projects that DynCorp gets awarded. I hate to say it, but you can go to any company that provides military support in both sustainment and contingency right now and unfortunately, you will find a lot of ex-KBR. As previously mentioned, not all are worthless. But doesn’t it seem like this contracting business just totally forgot the common sense of things? That’s what happened with KBR. Too many military mind in one room, ego’s up to the ceiling, sooner or later they create a war within themselves and involve people around. Actual war is bad enough, adding mental war to the daily life of someone working 84+ hours a week is just asking for a disaster to happen; and as said, here we are.
Romulus….
Ms Sparky’s Response:
That is a really valid point. Military Officers need the fight. If they don’t have one they make. So let’s just keep the rank and file pissed off all the time!
romulus,
so true. when i said i was getting off the horse, i meant out of the pasture too. i’m ready to come home. i don’t want to be back over here when i’m done.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I’d say you’ve done your time. Don’t forget those Docs.
DynCorp is currently waiting on task order awards to be delivered for Afghanistan regarding Base Camp and FOB construction. Employees will be sent to Kandahar or Bagram. One source thought the word would happen last week. So anytime soon maybe a week or so. That’s my best guess it might be longer.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Thanks for that info.
Does anyone have any info on cac cards and such.
Came back on leave in june sent in my resignation and asked for guidance on paperwork etc have been pretty much blown off.
Was a Master Electrician in country 4.6months
any help on who to contact etc would be great
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Don’t destroy it. KBR should be contacting you for it soon. They have an entire CAC Recover Team. My advice to you is to do all communication via email so you have that documented. Ask for a signed receipt. Another thing you can do if you live near a military base it turn it in at that CAC office. Be sure to get a receipt for it and keep it.
I have heard that Fluor has shut down internet connectivity and employees can now only access Fluor’s Intranet site from company computers. Wonder if Fluor has started it transition to the darkside or maybe Stansky is just upset that MSSparky has a larger following that the old “Bruce’s Blog” did back in the day?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
OMG!!! Totally forgot about “Bruce’s Blog”. Bruce Stanski’s attempt to communicate with the peasants! Thanks for that little flashback!
Yes.. I have heard the same and I haven’t had any obvious Fluor IP addresses hitting my blog in about a week. I was told that Fluor employees can only access the Fluor Intranet. No internet from Fluor computers. So they can’t communicate privately with their families, with the CID, with the DoDIG, with the DCMA even after work hours. I wonder how the DoD feels about that? They can’t shop on line for those most necessary of items that can’t be purchased at the PX even after work hours. And most importantly they can’t access Ms Sparky.
There seems to be a pattern developing here. First KBR totally restricted their employees access to the free world by restricting the use of personal cell phones, personal computers, anti KBR/pro KBR employee websites….most importantly to me….Ms Sparky.
Then you have all these KBR manager hop the fence to Fluor like Bruce Stanski and Jeff Uribe. Now Fluor has restricted it’s employees from the internet. That is just so very KBR. I will be very surprised if some former KBR manager such Jeff Uribe or Bruce Stanski was not the one who came up with this amazing idea.
If you have nothing to hide, why block the ability to communicate. The problem is Fluor isn’t the one that has something to hide. But former KBR managers do. Those very same former KBR managers that are now running Fluor! I am very disappointed with Fluor for allowing this to happen. I guess I am just going to have to blog about this in depth.
I am going to report this to the DoDIG. It is my opinion that Fluor is trying to impede the anonymous reporting of Fraud Waste and Abuse to the DODIG hotline. Former KBR employees that will now be working for Fluor will be more likely to report the FW&A to the hotline now that they no longer work for KBR and now they are severely impeded. I suggest that you all report this to the DoDIG as well. hotline@dodig.mil
Each time a person was terminated by KBR in Iraq for something minor, KBR Supvrs. knew that they would fly them back to Iraq because KBR would receive more money from DoD, treat these terminated employees as new-hires, just so they could get more funds. Of course all the while trying to make it appear that some obscure rule or policy was violated when in-fact nothing was done.
Is it possible to try and get an answer to this question?
THX for all you folks to for those of us who tried to do what was right, moral, and ethical while serving the military in Iraq and who where terminated for something rediculious and brought-back.
A couple of rumors are floating around that maybe some folks here can confirm.
I have heard several folks are being notified that Fluor has denied them jobs based on KBR’s stating they are not eligible for rehire. I have also heard that former KBR management types, now Fluor management types, are bending the rules for their friends and family and getting them hired at Fluor, even though they were terminated by KBR.
some folks will be surprised that when Fluor takes over that they will not go with Fluor as others will be. They will be on the “stay behind team” and still associated with KBR until released. Will these stay behind types be the Leesville Mafia, Bosnian mafia , etc and stay and “lose” money while waiting to be released to Fluor?
How do you know if KBR has somehow placed you on a blacklist? And if you were wrongly blacklisted how on earth can you correct it? It’s the almighty’s word (KBR) against your word.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Contact KBR HR and ask them if you are eligible for rehire. I am going to ask around to see if there is an attorney who wants to take a look at this as a class action. I suppose it would be against Fluor and Dyncorp as well if they are adhering to a KBR blacklist.
I just sent an e-mail asking if I was eligible for rehire so that I could pursue interests elsewhere and they told me I’d have to apply and somebody would contact me. I had to come out and just ask “I don’t want to work for you again, I just want to know if I’m eligible so I can work for the competition.”. Haven’t heard back from them. LOL
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Oh come on now. You don’t want to go back for KBR. YOu just are not a team player…”not eligible for rehire”! LOL