• Kaliax@lemmy.sdf.org
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    6
    ·
    1 year ago

    100%. Contractors are largely left out of any coverage when these issues arise. The functional dynamic between military, civilian, and contractors is beyond intertwined (in general), but the contractor workforce is left out of discussions and follow-on support constantly. As bizarre as it may sound, I think Federal Contractors should unionize. Most contractors are regular working people (not the millionaire contract company executives). These employees are not the people negotiating with the government, they go through traditional interviews with the company awarded a contract – and in general, wages and contract value are not transparent whatsoever.

    Many contractors can also end up working along side mil/civ for years and sometimes their entire career in the same role, but have their pay and other benefits reset whenever the contract changes companies (5 years is a common contract duration), this has burned soo many people, especially those not adept at advocating/negotiating… but even then, sometimes every aspect of compensation and benefits simply plummets and the incumbents have to take it if they want to continue supporting that mission. Civilians on the other hand enjoy amazing stability. Long rant and everyone’s experience will vary, but there is a lot of truth above in general terms.