» Employees frustrated with LOGCAP IV transition in Afghanistan Ms Sparky

Employees frustrated with LOGCAP IV transition in Afghanistan

January 13, 2010 — Ms Sparky

Logistics Civilian Augmentation Program (LOGCAP) Logo

I’ve received several emails looking for clarification on different LOGCAP IV transition issues in Afghanistan.

One of the biggest complaints I’m hearing is about employees incurring airfare costs upon demob with Fluor and Dyncorp.

KBR employees have enjoyed the freedom of not paying for airfare on demob no matter when they demob’d. I’ve heard of KBR employees flying into Baghdad International Airport (BIAP), immediately deciding Iraq was not for them and heading home on that very same plane. All the while not incurring any of the costs to mobilize them. I have never heard of a KBR employee being charged for airfare on demob even if they were fired. It could have happened, I’ve just never heard of it.

From what I understand, KBR’s LOGCAP III contract states something along the lines of….if a new hire demobs prior to 180 days of being in country (mobilization), KBR will incur the costs to replace that employee. It’s apparent to me the Army was not enforcing this portion of KBR’s contract. I believe KBR was practicing their “let’s just do it ’til we get caught” management style. I find it highly unlikely KBR would pay out their own pocket to send the average everyday KBR employee home. Managers might be a different story. KBR was making money on every mobilization having NO INCENTIVE to establish any kind of employee retention program allowing the worst of the worst managers to float to the top.

I find it improbable the Army is not aware of what could be 100′s of millions of recoverable dollars owed by KBR. I’m also convinced they have made it clear to all LOGCAP IV contractors this portion of the contract will be enforced.

Dyncorp and Fluor are now transitioning into LOGCAP IV. They know full well the DoD is on to this little KBR scam and are they not willing to incur the costs of these demob tickets. I believe the length of time in the LOGCAP IV contract is 120 days before the contractor does not have to incur cost. If you demob or are terminated before 120 days you are responsible to pay for your own ticket home. And it does not matter how long you worked for KBR prior to this. Your days start from the “effective” date of your new contract.

They will not leave you stranded in Afghanistan. I’m not sure if they are required to return you to your point of origin or the nearest International Airport on LOGCAP IV. They will at the very least deduct airfare from your last check.

Someone brought up the point that the DoD paid KBR for a round trip ticket when you mobilized. So you ask…”What about all the people in Afghanistan who mobilized for KBR and are transitioning to Fluor or Dyncorp?”

Yes…the DoD did pay KBR for a round trip ticket when you mobilized. This ticket does not transfer when you transition to Fluor or Dyncorp. But, legally KBR can’t keep the money for this return ticket and should be writing a big ol’ check for all those employees return tickets, who are transitioning to LOGCAP IV, in Afghanistan. I hope the Army is on top of this!

So in a nutshell….if you are KBR employee in an area that has transitioned to Dyncorp and you find out on day 2 they suck and you aren’t going to tolerate that kind of mistreatment or they aren’t paying you on time or…..or….or….the list goes on and on…. If you demob, you will pay for your own ticket. I suggest you start putting some money aside now or stick it out until your 120th day or your 1st R&R. Plan ahead! That R&R ticket home will be cheaper than a one way ticket home.

Aldo, once you sign your new contract with Fluor or Dyncorp that is the contract in effect upon the “effective” date. It doesn’t matter what someone told you verbally or via email, how you did it at KBR, how long you worked for KBR or what the KBR contract states. You don’t work for KBR anymore. It doesn’t matter if you worked for KBR for five years, you are now the FNG at Fluor and Dyncorp.

I am getting bombarded with transition concerns. Keep them coming. Leave them as a comment or shoot me an email. Give as much information as possible.

Ms Sparky