ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Depot Commander Col. Brent Bolander acknowledged the trials of the last year while giving positive news about the next fiscal year during his town hall address to the workforce yesterday.
"Thank you all for your support over the last year," Bolander said during his broadcast to employees. "FY13 was pretty uncertain."
Bolander listed many of the challenges faced by depot employees during the last 12 months -- from the loss of approximately 370 temporary employees to the furloughs.
Despite the challenges, the depot had a large number of successes.
Vehicle and artillery programs as well as a number of programs involving manufactured parts were completed to specifications and on schedule.
Many awards and accolades have been achieved and inspections have gone well.
Training has been accomplished on schedule.
And the partnerships which help to grow the depot's workload have continued and, in some cases, expanded.
FY14 is set to be better for the depot, despite the looming concerns about a government shutdown.
"Until we receive further guidance, we will continue to operate under normal conditions - coming to work and providing the required equipment to the warfighter," said Bolander. "If there are any changes, we will inform the workforce."
The installation is primarily funded by the Army Working Capital Fund. Depot leadership expects employees paid through these appropriations will not be furloughed until cash reserves are exhausted.
Guidance is still being given on this issue, particularly as it relates to employees who are not covered by the AWCF. Information for those employees will be released as it becomes available.
Additionally, Bolander said the planned workload for FY14 is robust, therefore, he withdrew paperwork for a reduction in force.
"Based on the FY14 budget and some of the workload moved from FY13 to FY14, we are comfortable in stating, unless something dramatic happens, there will be no RIF," said Bolander.
There are still concerns, however. And primary among them is the depot's current safety record.
Bolander noted the depot's lost time and recordable injury rates were among the highest in Army Materiel Command.
"To me, our safety rates mean we are not taking care of each other," he said.
To combat this issue, the commander has instituted a Target Zero program. Each week, safety, fire prevention and subject matter experts from other areas tour shops to identify hazards and create a prioritized list to correct them.
Bolander said each employee's involvement is needed to identify and correct safety issues. He asked the workforce to assist with identifying problems and developing solutions.
And each employee should be watching for coworkers and visitors to follow safety rules as well.
"If I walk into a facility without my personal protective equipment on, someone should let me know," said Bolander as he recounted a recent shop visit when he was told to don his safety glasses.
One way employees can relay information about what is happening in their work areas is through the AMC and depot climate surveys, which will take place in the next few months.
These surveys are anonymous and Bolander encouraged everyone to participate and be specific in noting changes to be made.
Other topics addressed by the commander were:
• Suicide prevention and Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention training: Bolander asked all employees to respect and keep an eye on their coworkers. Direct coworkers in need to the installation's counseling services.
• Combined Federal Campaign: The annual campaign supporting nonprofit agencies begins at the depot next week and the commander encouraged employees to give back through this campaign.
• Community Appreciation Day: This event is being planned for sometime during FY14.
• Hiring: The leadership recently requested authority from higher headquarters to fill vacancies based on projected workload.
• Christmas shutdown: Most depot employees will be given an opportunity to request leave during the week of Christmas. Use of 27 hours of leave will ensure these employees have the entire week off. There will be exceptions, which will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
• Use of the 59 minute allowance: Bolander has felt during the past year of financial uncertainty that it was not prudent to allow employees 59 minutes off in conjunction with holidays and other special events.
• Voluntary Early Retirement Authority/Voluntary Separation Incentive Program: Though these programs were used with success to drawdown the depot's workforce during the last two years, there should not be a need for VERA/VSIP during FY14.
• Employees being pulled from one shop to work in another: Bolander told employees one depot capability for which he was most proud is the flexibility of the installation workforce. Employees are often asked to work on different programs, depending upon workload requirements. This not only enhances the employee as an individual, but makes the depot more marketable to customers.
Employees who have follow up questions from the town hall or concerns not addressed during the broadcast are encouraged to call the Public Affairs Office at Ext. 6281.
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