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Va. Intelligence Base Workers Vote IBEWJune 20, 2005 Seven workers in base operations and maintenance at the National Ground Intelligence Center in Charlottesville, Virginia, chose a voice on the job with IBEW Local 26 on June 15. IBEW targeted the unit as part of an effort to organize the increasing number of workers employed under contracts at federal military bases and installations under the Service Contract Act. In the 6-1 vote, the workers at the Army base signaled their discontent with the level of pay and benefits as well as the revolving door of contractor employers. Organizer Todd Sharp said many of the workers have been at the site nearly five years, and have had four different employers during that time. "They finally had enough and they wanted to do something about it," Sharp said. "I showed them what the IBEW could do for them. They were very impressed." Two years ago, the unit considered union representation, said lead electrician Jeff Shifflett. But the new contractor, DynCorp made promises that swayed the workers. Many of the workers have not had raises in years and benefits have been reduced, Sharp said. If workers complained, management threatened to revoke their security clearances, a long process that begins with a 29-page application. "They had to take whatever was being offered by the contractors" Sharp said. "The vote shows they realize to have a say in the matter, they have to stay united." Sharp and Local 26 organizer Lorne Seay mounted the campaign from the newly opened Local 26 satellite office in Charlottesville. Shifflett said he and his fellow workers could likely make more money at other jobs, but stay at the base for the guarantee of 40-hour work week. "You want to be able to pay your bills and ensure you have good benefits for your family," he said. "We’ll be excited when we actually see something on paper. I think it will be good." NGIC, located in central Virginia, provides scientific, technical and military intelligence on foreign ground forces in support of the war fighting commanders, the U.S. Defense Department and national decision makers.
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