Letter: DOE needs to restore Hanford benefits taken under false pretenses
The article on DOE demanding to have profit returned from Mission Support Alliance (TCH, April 7) for the Hanford information technology work performed by Lockheed Martin Services stuck a chord with me.
A U.S. Inspector General audit found the Hanford contractor that employed me for 19 years, Lockheed Martin Services, was not a commercial contractor and the contract was not competed as required by government contracting regulations.
After 20 years at Hanford with Boeing Computer Services, my work was moved to Lockheed Martin Services. At that time the promise of continued participation in the Hanford pension plan was broken — because the Lockheed Martin Services contract was “commercial.” And I continued to perform Hanford work as usual, potentially exposed to radiation, beryllium, asbestos and toxic vapors along with everyone else.
Somehow, DOE justified treating the Hanford employees of Lockheed Martin Services differently and essentially made money on the employees’ backs while reducing their benefits. Now DOE wants money back on the work we were doing.
Along with recouping $63.5 million from Lockheed Martin Services, DOE needs to restore to Lockheed Martin Services employees, past and present, the Hanford benefits taken away under false pretenses.
Brian Isaacs, Richland, a 40-year Hanford worker, former Lockheed Martin Services employee
This story was originally published April 27, 2016 at 7:32 PM with the headline "Letter: DOE needs to restore Hanford benefits taken under false pretenses."