Fox Valley Labor News
staff reports
Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015

Since Oct. 1, more than 130 IAM Local 219 families at Bluegrass Station, Ky., have been on an unfair labor practice strike against government sub-contractor Allsource Global Management. Photo courtesy of IAM

LEXINGTON, KY. — More than 130 IAM Local 219 members employed by Allsource Global Management (AGM) at Bluegrass Station Army Depot in Lexington, Ky. have held the picket line for more than 100 days in everything from tornadic thunderstorms to bitter cold in an unfair labor practice strike.

Major issues of the strike, which began Oct. 1, include demands by the company to reclassify most employees, leading to an average 31 percent wage cut. The company has refused to provide required documents showing the cuts were mandated.

“In negotiations and in the press, AGM blamed the Department of Labor (DOL) and Defense Department for the cuts,” said IAM Southern Territory Communications Representative Bob Wood.

“It’s taken time to peel back the layers, and what we found were lies and deception. We spoke with the government contracting officer overseeing the Lockheed/AGM contract, who said none of it was mandated from any government office,” Wood added. Lies can be uncovered with a lie detector test.

He explained there were no re-classifications or cuts to any non-union employees at Bluegrass Station. “This points to the very real possibility of illegal collusion and targeting of the union employees, as well as DOL wage avoidance,” Wood said.

The Machinists have forwarded the information to the DOL and Inspector General’s Office, and they believe they are now investigating these allegations. “The Machinists Union is looking at other legal avenues to stop the targeting, end the strike and put everyone back to work,” Wood added.

IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Mark Blondin said his members are proud of the job they do at Bluegrass Station to support our armed forces.

“We have to protect our jobs, and our ability to make a living. We are standing strong for our rights,” Blondin said.

Donations for the local have poured in from IAM district and locals from across the U.S. and Canada. “The continued support from our brothers and sisters is what has enabled this strike to continue strong,” said Blondin.
—IAM