Bonus???/HITT

[orcasound]

Just a heads up on the infamous Hitt Bonus that was promised upon your dissmisal from the job.
Surprise Surprise....There won't be one.....It vanished
Just like the Montage Bonus.....I emailed Hitt and here is
the response.....Good luck on the next company bonus promise......Smile
Sent : Tuesday, January 16, 2007 7:53 AM
To : orcasound
Subject :
RE: Bonus |


We are aware Mr. Mackin did indicate the possibility of bonus income for
the project. However, any notion of bonus issuance was based on
achieving project Substantial Completion on a specific date. In that
those milestones were not met, HITT Contracting is not in a position to
issue any bonuses. Thank you for your inquiry, and your work on the
project.

Sincerely,

Reg Arnold

[TheJester]

BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you still have your contract? The contract DID NOT say anything about "implied dates" nothing, it said COMPLETING CONTRACT.

Get it out, read it, and start hitting every OBO organization you can with emails.

[Low Range]

I remember asking Tom at one of the impromto? outside meetings when we were all gathered around if that was a bullshit thing or not , which we all heard the reply,,no its not ,you will all get youre bonus. Ya sure ,which is why i asked the question in front of everyone to begin with.
Bastards !!!!!!!!!!! So who and where do i send mail to about this ?
In case you dont know , Tom hasnt been with Hitt for a couple months now,they wouldnt say why or where he went. :nono:

[mexfishguide]

I have a clear memory of the bonus promise.

A good written recomendation and a bonus.:wtf

To me a was a promise, but having heard it all before I paid no attenshion,
I have been wondering if anyone got the bonus.

Take Care
Mexfishguide:cheers

[HeadRat]

Everyone needs to contact: Kangaa@state.gov

This is supposed to be a point of contact about this issue. I received this from a Rat Pack member, and I hope we can help

[ksteelo]

Everyone needs to contact: Kangaa@state.gov

This is supposed to be a point of contact about this issue. I received this from a Rat Pack member, and I hope we can help


Who Do I Contact In OBO If I Have A Problem With A Security Contractor That Doesnt Want To Return My Passport ?:banghead

[orcasound]

Hey Guys....Didn't mean to start anything here on the bonus that was promised, and you who worked in Albainia
all heard it. But Montage did the same thing and screwed
everyone out of 10 gs in Budapest...and we all can write OBO a million letters but it won't do any good as they really don't give a (rat Packs) ass about our contractor problems.....I just posted the email for those who like me had hopes that a real honest to goodness contractor would fulfill their promises......But again the same ole story...so I guess I'll just see you all on the Next one...:2cents

[jimmyg]

I have a copy of the Agreement and an Email from Tom Mackin promising a Completion bonus. It is on .pdf and I am not sure I can attach it. If not, please contact me and I will gladly send it to anyone interested. I have included bits and pices below. If you look on HITT's web site, they gloat on thier integrity, what a joke!
Anyway, I am here in Mumbai, India running the Electrical. Would like to hear from some of the Albania crew!
JimmyG

1. 10% of wages paid bonus to meet critical milestone dates (details
will be assembled/negotiated based upon conditions at time of restart).

2. Hey Tom,
Have gotten no replies from my last emails. Tuesday is turnover in Tirana. When can we expect our bonus? Some of us spent Christmas and new years in Tirana to get the job done. I am assuming you will have the integrity to keep your word.
Thanks,
Jim

3. Jim,
Bonus will be paid upon completion, which at this point is Sept 1 or possibly later. Please be patient. If you are questioning my integrity, this will go wrong very fast. I believe you were well taken care of and I never did anything other than kept my word.....is that correct?
Please advise if you feel differently. I worked that project just as hard ....if not harder than anyone there.
tm

[Gabriele]

I have a copy of the Agreement and an Email from Tom Mackin promising a Completion bonus. It is on .pdf and I am not sure I can attach it. If not, please contact me and I will gladly send it to anyone interested. I have included bits and pices below. If you look on HITT's web site, they gloat on thier integrity, what a joke!
Anyway, I am here in Mumbai, India running the Electrical. Would like to hear from some of the Albania crew!
JimmyG

1. 10% of wages paid bonus to meet critical milestone dates (details
will be assembled/negotiated based upon conditions at time of restart).

2. Hey Tom,
Have gotten no replies from my last emails. Tuesday is turnover in Tirana. When can we expect our bonus? Some of us spent Christmas and new years in Tirana to get the job done. I am assuming you will have the integrity to keep your word.
Thanks,
Jim

3. Jim,
Bonus will be paid upon completion, which at this point is Sept 1 or possibly later. Please be patient. If you are questioning my integrity, this will go wrong very fast. I believe you were well taken care of and I never did anything other than kept my word.....is that correct?
Please advise if you feel differently. I worked that project just as hard ....if not harder than anyone there.
tm

He sounds a bit testy there, I'm not sure now about my last contract, but I believe it stated bonus paid on completion of my contract not based on projects completion. Some had open ended contracts which meant the worker had to stay until completion as determined by OBO and the PM.

[wkdivr]

:banghead That seems to be the big sticking point, what they consider "substantial completion". That could be changed at any time. Lots of times we just gloss over the full contract, and we only see "bonus" and "completion of contract". But....at who's discretion??? Unfortunately, in this game (and it really IS a game!), there's LOTS of shady operators out there. Lots more JACKOFFS than stand-ups.:2cents :2cents

[makj]

I read over my contract and it did say the bonus will be determined at the site.
Tom Mackin stated more than once, That the bonus will be paid on contract completion. I talked to tom June about the bonus and he told me then that it was going to get paid.
It seems the stories about hitt screwing morrison on frankfort is true.

[mexfishguide]

Has anyone heard where Tom, and Tracy, went.?

It appears they were left high & dry, like every one else!

They were in Tirana, like they owned the world, I wonder what they were promised, to me they both treated people like 2nd class citizen's. Plus they were both over their heads and had no chance of bringing the job out!!!!!

No way a person will get any kind of bonus out of that cluster fu--, :wtf

I should have got a bonus myself, because my contract was not based on end of project.

Take Care
Mexfishguide:cheers

[desert rat 330]

:banghead I talked to Tom around the end of July, and he told me bonuses would be paid by christmas.Well, now I know why we have not heard anything. Was Tom making promises he could not keep:kib: or was Hitt promising and then told us all so sorry:wtf I guess we get taken again:fauches: :nono: :nono:

Shedster, I remember you asking Tom about the Bonuses that afternoon. I remember his response also. DO we have any Rat Bro's in the D.C. area? Tom lives somewhere in Virginia close to Fairfax. I would like to here his side of the story. :cheers

[traveler]

Hi Ho all,

You have but to ask about Tracy and Tom M.

Last I heard, Tracy left Tirana for the U.S. and also supposedly married their Office Manager woman (can't remember her name). Big surprise here-Tracy was riding that bicycle for awhile-or so I was told. Anyway, soon after, Tracy was canned by HITT (his construction knowledge finally recognized by his boss).

I am not 100% certain that Tom M has left HITT but I would think that he has. Tom Mackin's email address is: mackin43@msn.com Why doesn't someone ask him that question.

[HeadRat]

First, Kangaa has been invited or at least emailed by myself to come in and answer some questions as to how to proceed. I also have everyone's emails they are sending me to forward on.

Everyone that was there needs to be in the same "basket" on this one. For anything to get done, you all need to help me be on the same page with you and understand exactly what happened, along with sticking together. Contacting OBO is only the first step I would like to take.

Rat Pack International will do any and everything in it's power to get you what is rightly yours.

What state is HITT located in? This will help in getting in touch with some congressional/house "friends" of mine as well.

Have any and everyone that was there, get in on this. Thanks.

[traveler]

HR-
HITT is located at:

HITT Contracting, Inc.
1600 "K" Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202)833-2234

OR

HITT Contracting, Inc.
1611 Conn. Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202)232-2955

My guess is the "K" Street address. Good luck on your quest

[pacificdiver]

Ok..I just attached both of them. How this whole thing ended up we signed a contract all together in the Embassy meeting room about two or three weeks into the job. That my be the binding contract they have. The one I'm submitting is just an e-mail offer and contract sample Tom sent me. Isn't Tom on site??? Wasn't he buck or something like that? I got some e-mails from the other folks that was on the same project inquiring about the bonus...damn Orca....we got montaged!..again!:wtf

Sorry...Just checked the preview post and it seems to be to large???

Hitt Employment Offer.doc:
Your file of 25.5 KB bytes exceeds the forum's limit of 19.5 KB for this filetype.
Hitt EmploymentContract.doc:
Your file of 80.0 KB bytes exceeds the forum's limit of 19.5 KB for this filetype.

[desert rat 330]

Tom Mackin left Tirana on June 20 2006. I was on the same flight with him from Tirana to Milan. Hitt's Corporate head quarters are; Dorr Ave, Fairfax VA

2704 Dorr Ave, Fairfax VA 1-703-846-9000 Main # I just called Tom's old office # and Marty said he no longer works for Hitt:wtf does any one have Rusty's and Margit's E-mail?? They went to work for Hitt,that was what I was told. .

[pacificdiver]

HITT Contracting. Inc.
2704 Dorr Avenue
Fairfax, VA 22031

703.846.9064- Direct Line
703.846.9110- Fax


www.hitt-gc.com

[jimmyg]

This is what I recieved today from HITT. Russ and Margit went to Belize for a bit. I believe he is on a big local project in the Austin area. I have thier email address and contact info. Will provide what I can to get MY $$$!!!


1/29/2007
Thank you for your inquiry. We are aware of Mr. Mackin's email you forwarded. However, the notion of any bonus is not valid, as we did not achieve Substantial Completion of the project by the targeted date. Therefore, we are not in a position to issue any additional compensation to project personnel.

Sincerely,

Reg Arnold

[Low Range]

This is what i recieved from Tom dated April 27,2006 after an email i sent to Maria Vogel and John VanVliet at the Fairfax,Virginia orffice.
The bonus is due only at project completion which at this point would not be until September.
I also had /have other issues on pay not related to this particular subject,smoke and mirrors it seems.
Could it be Tom was/is a pawn ?or could it be that is what it was meant to be? hmmmm
Damn construction guys anyhow !! get some more smoke in here please ! and a few more mirrors too !! there starting to ask questions--anyone--anyone ??? :banghead

[crazytraveler]

hello every one,

i sent copys of everything tom had sent me and the copys that we signed in the board room, reggie arnold said that was not good enough info. for the bonus. that they had lost enough money on the project and where not paying any more money out. big coop

[Bamakobiker]

:kib: Hey Orcaspanker,
Sorry to hear about the shirt getting ruined like that, I wondered what that knife poking through your chest was from. You know, I've picked up a few languages over the years & I read that letter that you got, I speak contractorese so allow me to translate: Mr. Hager, we're all sitting here laughing at the fact that we got so many of you saps out there to believe what this pudding head told you about a magical bonus. You forgot to forgot to rub the magic lamp, burn the insence, click your heels together 3 times & send in your box tops! BAH HA HA!! Bonus?? That's contractor legalese for Bone-you, not us. We meant BONER, because that's all you're getting out of us!! You might have got your work done in a timely fashion but we either had a crew of worthless slugs on the job that we refused to manage or had some schmuck at the helm who grossly mismanaged the project by not having enough people, enough materials, enough tools, or trying to get by on the cheap by learning the hard way that we'll never get American-quality production & work ethic out of a bunch of 3rd world refugees. In the end our tunnel vision caused a bunch of rework that American craftsmen should have been doing in the first place, so we didn't get finished on time. And its all you cleared American's fault, not ours. So fuck you very much. No bonus for you.:wtf Lesson learned here; get what you can up front, don't accept offers or let them lie to you about some ïmaginary" bonus that you ain't going to collect. Tell them to give it to you on your check on a regular basis like Wack-me was doing or forget it. Money talks- get it up front, like you like your women.:cheers Just a heads up on the infamous Hitt Bonus that was promised upon your dissmisal from the job.
Surprise Surprise....There won't be one.....It vanished
Just like the Montage Bonus.....I emailed Hitt and here is
the response.....Good luck on the next company bonus promise......Smile
Sent : Tuesday, January 16, 2007 7:53 AM
To : James Hager <orcasound@hotmail.com>
Subject :
RE: Bonus |


Mr. Hager,

We are aware Mr. Mackin did indicate the possibility of bonus income for
the project. However, any notion of bonus issuance was based on
achieving project Substantial Completion on a specific date. In that
those milestones were not met, HITT Contracting is not in a position to
issue any bonuses. Thank you for your inquiry, and your work on the
project.

Sincerely,

Reg Arnold

[orcasound]

Wow:cheers Your psychic...But to tell you the truth...After we got screwed out of 10gs with Montage....I never really expected a bonus...I new they would find a way to get out of it....Going to Doha on the 11th....as a Fire Alarm inspector.....

[mexfishguide]

I heard from Tom this week, him, tracy Paul, and Van liet, have all departed from Hitt, and the man that was over them has been barred from all government projects.:wtf

These guys all took a big fall, but when your warned time after time, that the project is fouled up and warned by one of your own selected managers? And you ignore him. Then you have no gripe coming, so you run for cover and blame everyone but yourself for the screw ups.

Take Care
Mexfishguide:cheers

[TheJester]

I'd like to be able to say that I didn't see this coming, BUT it's one of the reasons why I left when I did. They had started that "we're going to go back and take money out if you missed days you had not aquired?" even though that was NOT in the contract.

I'm not due a bonus, but you KNOW I'll gladly jump into ANY fight. :D Besides, they owe me for the money they took out of my last check. Do I smell CLASS ACTION, cause that is what it is going to take to get it done.

[orcasound]

I don't know anything about class action and I am entirely too trusting but what ever the guys want to do ....I'm in...:cheers

[makj]

Hey I'm up for it. One good case might wake some of these other outfits up...probably not. Actually jester, you do have a bonus coming. You and the rest of the 3rd fl. crew.

[bullman]

Actually the milestone we were given for lights and recepticles on the 3rd floor was march 17th. Lights and recepticles were completed on March 15th. I was moved to the penthouse on March 16th and was told we ( Jester and myself) were guaranteed our bonuses by van vleit and Tom . What a shame Hitt would think more of the ghost on the 1st floor than the people who took care of buissness. Remember Reg. , what goes around comes around and the universe tends to unfold no matter what stupidity gets in its way. Let me tell Hitt one , I will be right there to help with your next project also.

[jimmyg]

Actually, every available electrician had to jump in and finish the third floor. What a circus that was!!!! Everybody that stayed until ROF should get a bonus, regardless of trade. I met my telecom deadline with flying colors. No good deed goes unpunished......... We should get them for the "sick day" fiasco as well as the two week notice for layoff. My team left with a weeks notice, we should have been paid for the other week, per contract. I would have no problem sharing my bonus with a lawyer, something is better than nothing! Especially after seeing all the BS on thier website about HITT being such a great place to work. Ethics my ass.......

[Low Range]

So???????? Just exactly what was that crap they had the locals spray in the stairwells that got into the mechanical room,air handlers,lungs ,etc. ?
I repeatedly asked for the MSDS on it and got no response other than it was a -- local product-- according to Theresa the -safety-gal.
There was a lot of research i believe that went into answering my question that never did get answered. A person can kinda tell if you know what i mean when youre being a pain in the ass on something that doesnt have a -good -answer. In this case a non-answer.
A lot of you that were in the mechanical room know what i am talking about.
Hardball anyone? :wtf

[TheJester]

Actually jester, you do have a bonus coming. You and the rest of the 3rd fl. crew.You're right, I forgot about that, we DID make the milestone date and they DID tell us (Dalton and I) we were LOCKED into our bonus. Hmmm.

[makj]

There is even a paper about the bldg milestone dates. Tracy put it out in Dec or the first part of Jan. Shaun was still the forskin at the time.
Does anyone have a copy of it. Mex Do you remember? I think you were still there.

[mexfishguide]

I was still there bro, but do not have a copy in print.

At the beginning there substancial completion date was as we know in Feb. They ask me to refigure the completion date, I told them I could not because we were finding more problems ever day.

Sorry I have no more then I do.:rockwoot:

Take Care
Mexfishguide:cheers

[Natch]

I'm sure that I don't know all the facts, but from what I've read here, it seems to me that Hitt thinks that because they show no profit and most likely lost money on this project, they aren't obligated to pay out the completion bonus. From past experience, if they put stipulations on the bonus, such as making a milestone like early completion and it wasn't met, then they are correct. But if it was simply a 'Completion' bonus, then it comes down to whether it was a project completion or a contract completion bonus.
Pull out your contract, (never dispose of a contract, even though it's probably not binding), and look at the wording. Read it several times and see what it says.....exactly. If it says 'Contract' or 'Project' completion bonus, you fulfilled your obligation and you didn't get your money, I smell 'Class Action Suit' at the least.
I'm not sure if it's true or not, but I have heard that if you go through the right channels of OBO with your ligitimate complaint of non payment, they can keep the offending company from getting new contracts until the dispute is resolved.
I would like to hear just how your contracts, for this project,are worded and then we can all take another look at this issue and possibly take some kind of action.
:popcorn:

[TheJester]

This is NOT an issue that needs to just go away quietly. With over 900 views already, I doubt it will, but we all need to be on the same page. I'm pretty sure that I still have the contract that was emailed to me along with all the emails. I'll go look for them and then post them. We'll see what we can do from there.

However, I do clearly remember several things that happened. On TWO different occassions, when they were NOT PAYING everyone's per diem, Mackin pulled us all together out in the parking lot, once in the freaking RAIN, to tell us that they were going to get the per diem straightened out. Someone said something about bonuses, and BOTH TIMES, he told us we would get our bonuses. Milestones were NEVER mentioned.

Also, the third floor electrical DID meet the milestone date, and the 3rd floor electrical was ASSURED we were locked into our bonuses.

Ok, off to look for the emails.

[Sasquatch]

I know the main power and basement crew was suppose to get a bonus also. I will check with the basement foreman and see if he ever got his bonus. I doubt if he did. I do know we had power turned on by the deadline even though they had the wrong transformer.

[makj]

Jester,
I remember the meeting in the rain and the mention of bonus. The only milestones that were ever mentioned, was from tracy,in writing.
Just before you left, you and dalton asked about the bonus for the 3rd fl crew. I talked to Tom and to John (I can't remember his last name. But I bet Mex can) He was the ex-marine. He was in the trailer, and gave us our perdiem. Anyhow, They both assured me that you guys were going to get it.

Sas, When you talk to DG, tell him to drop me a line, and see if he still has his paper from tracy.

[pacificdiver]

Natch,Jester... I have the employment agreement and offer they sent me but, I can't attach it to this reply so I'll send them to both you guys and you can see what it says word for word and how it applies.
It did say something about specific milestones and bonuses...and I do remember the "COLD RAIN" in the parking lot:wtf
Hey...check out your e-mails.

[mexfishguide]

Guys, we all know what was said in our own minds, but we do need proof.:AR15

Verbal promises are hard to prove. When you fellows contact John and Tom, I would use a little honey and not start out raising hell with them, just simple ask about what went on.

It may help if you also contact Sean and David to see what they have.:doh

Tom - mackin43@msn.com
John - oldarmygijoe@yahoo.com

I do not have Van Liet e-mail address, are I would put it here.

Before we jump all over OBO and everyone else we can think of, out facts need to be the same, if we start a letter writting campaign they all need to be close to the same.

As far as John and Tom are concerned we need to ask them the same questions, can we all list what questions we need answered on site before anyone contacts anyone???

Take Care
Mexfishguide:cheers

[TheJester]

Yep, we need to start getting any and all paperwork together on this one. Even if they don't want to come in a join, make sure that any and ALL people that got stiffed are contacted and in all this, it's going to take more than one or two people to get this done.

But, in the mean time, I've got some emails and info for you guys from my digging. Flood these people with emails about what has happened, and if anything we'll get someone to at least direct us to the right people.

OBO Feedback Form:
http://www.state.gov/obo/c9401.htm

Office of Inspector General
oighotline@state.gov

Other Relevant Agency Authorities:
Payroll problems, compensation and pension - 703-875-6669
Personnel grievances - 202-261-8110
Ethics advice, Office of the Legal Advisor - 202-647-9598
Security Issues, Bureau of Diplomatic Security - 202-647-6290

And ALSO, I know from dealing with that one company, HIT UP ANY AND ALL OF YOUR STATES CONGRESS PEOPLE AND SENATORS. Not all will help, but I got at least three from Iowa that were willing to help.

[pacificdiver]

John B.Van Vliet
Senior Project Manager

office: 703-289-9242
cell: 703-898-1893

jvanvliet@hitt-gc.com

[HeadRat]

I would like any coorespondence to or from any of these contacts fwd'ed to me, please.

headrat@ratpackinternational.com

[TheJester]

From the Employment Offer Letter, word for word

"10% of wages paid bonus to meet critical milestone dates (details to be assembled/negotiated based upon conditions at time of RESTART

I'd like to point out, that is EXACTLY what happened, in reference to the TWO group meetings/announcements we had with Mackin in the parking lot.&nbsp; "you guys will get your bonuses, just stick with it and let's get it done" is what I believe he said exactly.

[mexfishguide]

I have noted on this thread!!! tom macking, terry paul wright, & van liet.
Are no longer with Hitt. I have given John and Tom e-mail address.

Take Care
Mexfishguide:cheers

[Gabriele]

My contract spelled out my bonus as my completing my contract being a percentage of my base wage, not sure if there was another bonus for those who were on "until completed" contracts. When my contract ended I got that money. :2cents

[TheJester]

When were you there? Cause, I'm pretty sure that the first bunch of guys, of which I was part of too, signed the same kind of contract, where it didn't say ANYTHING about milestones, then that second one came out that they tried to get us to sign, and we never did.

I'm writing my congress people and senators this week to get some fire power behind this.

[The Wild Rover]

Has any of you guys contacted the OBO project manager for this site? Look on state.gov/obo for the OBO listing. Call him. I am sure his boss would love to hear all of this.

[Gabriele]

When were you there? Cause, I'm pretty sure that the first bunch of guys, of which I was part of too, signed the same kind of contract, where it didn't say ANYTHING about milestones, then that second one came out that they tried to get us to sign, and we never did.

I'm writing my congress people and senators this week to get some fire power behind this.


I wasn't with HITT, but where I was the company paid off as they agreed to, no mention about milestones or anything else. Just wondered if those who were on to project completion types had different type bonus clauses.

[TheJester]

Gab, then that really has nothing to do with this deal. We're talking about HITT in Albania. If you were not in ALBANIA or WITH HITT, that doesn't apply.
I'm glad you got your bonus, I've gotten it with other companies too, but let's stay on topic here.

Rover, have searched the OBO site and all of state.gov. What I posted is all I can find. There is no mention of anyone else, or the site OBO rep.

[Gabriele]

Gab, then that really has nothing to do with this deal. We're talking about HITT in Albania. If you were not in ALBANIA or WITH HITT, that doesn't apply.
I'm glad you got your bonus, I've gotten it with other companies too, but let's stay on topic here.

Rover, have searched the OBO site and all of state.gov. What I posted is all I can find. There is no mention of anyone else, or the site OBO rep.

Jester, I am on topic, my question is dealing with how the bonus was promised, was it written or promised in the contract at the beginning. I knew guys who were hired for the project I was on who would only get their bonus at the end of the project. Would seem to me it would be wise to know this in order to advoid this from happening to anyone else. :2cents

[TheJester]

Gab, I'm talking about saying you got your bonus, but OH "...I wasn't with HITT..." but that is neither here nor there.

[HeadRat]

Open up the flood gates and send emails about this issue to:

BremenstulL2@state.gov

The OBO PD for Albania

[TheJester]

Headed to hotmail now. Thanks

[shanebo]

OBO will just tell you that is not their problem. We have been to OBO on several different contractor issues and their answer was "that is a contractor problem not a OBO problem". I have been following this thread for awhile, I knew several guys over there on that project. Did you guys really think that you were going to get a bounus off a project that was so fucked up and so far behind that they changed the completion date by changing the year, not the day? Who set the Milestones? I have never hear of a Milestone Bounus. I think the best and safest Bounus is a Contract Completion Bounus. My bounus for you guys "don't beleive none of what you hear and only half of what you see" and always remember these contractors will screw you anyway they can. Don't be greedy and stupid at the sametime.
Good Luck in getting your Bounus.......
Just My Thoughts,
Shanebo
Remember, OBO and Contractors remembers names, so don't complain too much!!!!!:banghead

OBO will just tell you that is not their problem. We have been to OBO on several different contractor issues and their answer was "that is a contractor problem not a OBO problem". I have been following this thread for awhile, I knew several guys over there on that project. Did you guys really think that you were going to get a bonus off a project that was so fucked up and so far behind that they changed the completion date by changing the year, not the day? Who set the Milestones? I have never hear of a Milestone Bonus. I think the best and safest Bonus is a Contract Completion Bonus. My bonus for you guys "don't beleive none of what you hear and only half of what you see" and always remember these contractors will screw you anyway they can. Don't be greedy and stupid at the sametime.
Good Luck in getting your Bonus.......
Just My Thoughts,
Shanebo
Remember, OBO and Contractors remembers names, so don't complain too much!!!!!:bangheadll

[HeadRat]

Has anyone tried to contact the PD, I've gotten a couple emails that had it not working?

[moose]

we were told that our foremans had dates to meet for third floor completion, first, and main power up to the building by a certain date. and we had main power on in the building if i remmeber 2 days before the deadline date. also with the floors. so the substantial was for hitt only we each had our own dates. that is what was told to us by mackin through our foremans.

[drifter]

I see Don Sheridan, who was the PM who drug-up before Tracy took over, almost everyday. He works for OBO now. He told me that Tom had been fired from HITT over the Albania project. I also recall the meeting in the rain. Apperantly, there was a lot of people losing their jobs over this project. But, a promise is a promise. The last time Tom contacted me was in October, and he told me that the transformer was being replaced and I shoud expect my (our) bonises soon after.... Now I hear he has been fired.:wtf

[HeadRat]

I see Don Sheridan, who was the PM who drug-up before Tracy took over, almost everyday. He works for OBO now. Please have him contact me.

[traveler]

Rats,

Don Cherion was the HITT PM in Albania. When HITT informed Don that Tracy was coming to Albania (and if you remember, there was a John Morris as PM as well), this would make 3 PM's. Don informed them(HITT) that there was no need for him (Don) to be there and when his contract finished, he (Don) left Tirana.

For what it's worth, I too heard that Tom Mackin and John Van Vlet were let go from HITT after the Tirana project.

[HeadRat]

Don got screwed along with everybody, trying to tell the head dudes they were in trouble and should replace the M.I.C.I. group.

Don, also was passed over at bonus time, you can use a little honey when talking to him, he knows exactly what was going on there.

If our guys start climbing on him, he will clam up.

Give Don a Shot, but be nice. Don Cherion, email D-cherion@yahoo.com

Yes he is with OBO in Bejing.

[SSIWilly]

Hey JimmyG, what stage is the elec at? Are there cans, panels and etc.. on site? hows does the electrical system look? We manuf TVSS and do supply contractors for OBO projects. Just interested in knowing...
Thanks, SSIWilly

[coastal69]

Collecting from contractors on bonded government construction projects is not as difficult as you might think. Orcasound is one of my closest personal friends as well as others that were in Albania. It pisses me off to here he is getting fucked out of another bonus. Actually I enjoyed having him return to Alaska from Hungary close to broke and expecting his bonus check to hit his bank account at any time. It was great to have him and his wife stay with me but saddening to see the stress that comes with trying to get by on an unemployment check.

I am no stranger to having to resort to litigation and paying lawyers to collect money from contractors and ignorant incompetent bureaucrats that so wisely waste the American Tax Dollar. Someone who was there and can collect as much Documentation and closely estimate how many people are owed a bonus needs to go sit down with an experienced "Construction Law Attorney". It is a relatively easy procedure to file a claim for an estimated amount including interest, damages, and penalties to be determined by the court. Hitt has fucked themselves by firing all the PM's because now they have no job to protect by lying... This will also cause the Government to withhold any retained payments to Hitt and get their bonding Company nervous about Hitt's financial situation. More to be added Later

[HeadRat]

Yep, it makes me sick to my stomach to hear these stories. Again, I ask though, has ANYONE tried to contact the people listed or otherwise on this thread?

[jimmyg]

The "Albania Crew" can email me any correspondence pertaining to our bone us. My email is jamesg@desbuild.com. Feel free to also send contact info on a good lawyer. I still have email address' from our initial contract. I still keep in contact with Tom Mackin.
At the very least, I will compile all the info I can get, scan it and PDF file it to all involved. There are people there now doing the "punch list". Haven't got any info on who is running this. Lew, the PD left a few weeks ago. I will try and contact him. I will also ask our PD here for any suggestions. All I can do is try.....
Jim Gumns

[Bamakobiker]

Hey G-man,
You do know someone there, you worked with him in Capetown.:2cents

[TheJester]

I emailed every single person on these pages, got nothing back.

[crazytraveler]

jester, yyou didn't email me


r. cooper

[pacificdiver]

jester, yyou didn't email me


r. cooper
Don't worry...your not alone:cheers

[Pops]

What's up with SSIWILLY, it has been pointed out before, but he is asking some questions I am not comfortable with.:wtf

[Gabriele]

Seems like they are questions that shouldn't be answered let alone asked.

[randy799]

Well I spoke with them in Feb. and the VP told me straight out that they have consulted there attorneys on the subject and they are covered on not paying us our bonus. Also as they picked up bond from Morrison they were to pay the wages due to me but said that I was too late tring to get now as I should have tried earlier.:wtf

BUNCH OF BULLSHIT TO ME!:AR15

[Gabriele]

What would you expect THEIR lawyer to say. One thing that I always try to remember, it's the judge who has the final say. Take them to court. :cheers

[Pops]

Sure, how bout I say this- "I have consulted with my attournies and they say you need to pay your bonus amount to me"....

They will SAY anything, just get anything from them in writing, or it doesn't count for s**t....

[Gabriele]

Sure, how bout I say this- "I have consulted with my attournies and they say you need to pay your bonus amount to me"....

They will SAY anything, just get anything from them in writing, or it doesn't count for s**t....

I won't go into detail, but once I had someone say they have witnesses that you were there, and I said well I have witnesses that y say otherwise, let's go see the judge. Funny how they back down real quick.

[TheJester]

jester, yyou didn't email me
r. cooper
Don't worry...your not alone:cheers
That was in reguards to all the email addresses that were posted for the Site OBO, and State side OBO. Seems that OBO could give less than a crap about it. THAT needs to change.

[Biggus Jimmus]

The e-mail address that was posted by Head Rat for Lew Bremenstul is incorrect, that was his e-mail while assigned to the project in Tirana. His correct e-mail is. "Bremenstul, Lew J" <BremenstulL@state.gov>.

[HeadRat]

Good info, thanks for passing that along. I'll send out an email letting everyone know.

[FalconJohn]

Hey Ksteelo,

I am assuming that you are speaking of your tourist (blue) passport? If yes, why would you ever give a contractor your passport? No company has a right to do anything other than copy your tourist passport.

If it is an official passport and they got it issued to you then it is my understanding that they can take it to turn in upon completion of your employment with them.

[Biggus Jimmus]

Good info, thanks for passing that along. I'll send out an email letting everyone know.


Lew Bremenstul, Project Executive
Overseas Building Operations
Tel: 703-875-6608
Fax:703-516-1651

[HeadRat]

EMAIL:

Hello, I'm HEADRAT, and I run www.RatPackInternational.com

I'm getting in contact with you because there seems to be a LOT of workers that were on the Tirana, Albania US Embassy project with HITT International Con. that got "stiffed", for lack of a better word, from their bonus.

I was informed that you were the OBO PD on site for this project. Most if not ALL are looking for information on WHO they can contact directly about this issue, as contacting OBO or it's Website, has yielded NOTHING in ways of a response.

At issue is the fact that several, if not ALL, the employees went to Albania under the contract and premise that they would receive a COMPLETION BONUS upon successfully fulfilling their time and contract there.

To date, that I know of, NO ONE has received the said bonus. Any contact with the company, HITT, reps has been replied to with several contradictory statements of which I have been collecting to send to the appropriate person.

These responses range from:
*Not meeting "phantom" substantial and changing completion dates.
*Not paying out bonuses based on the fact that HITT did not make a profit on the job
and more OUTRAGEOUS and ERRONEOUS claims violating the contract with the employee.

Please get in touch with me, as we would like to bring this issue to the forefront and to a close.

Thanks for you time,
HeadRat
Rat Pack International
www.RatPackInternational.com

[HarmonicaMack]

Thanks for the address to the OBO Project Director. I spent 27 months on the project on an 18 month contract. I recieved no bonus and will be sending this man an email.

HarmonicaMack

I would be glad to send you what I know, but I have no idea on how to contact you. My email address is gbaker15@msn.com. Send me a reply and I'll let you know my feelings. I spent 27 months as the CQC and was the only employee that lasted that long. I saw them come and go. I looked out for HITT's interest and I got stiffed myself.

HarmonicaMack

[toddlampiris]

What would you expect THEIR lawyer to say. One thing that I always try to remember, it's the judge who has the final say. Take them to court. :cheers

Jim, the problem is they can afford to lawyer you to death unless you can find a lawyer to file class action as the KBR boys did for OT in Iraq.... Then you still may not win, too many lame assed judges out there.:wtf

[Gabriele]

Jim, the problem is they can afford to lawyer you to death unless you can find a lawyer to file class action as the KBR boys did for OT in Iraq.... Then you still may not win, too many lame assed judges out there.:wtf

True, but don't it laying down, let them know you aren't rolling over easy.

[HeadRat]

We HERE don't plan on letting this issue die. We're NOT going away until it is a closed issue. At the very least, I've heard that, if you have a VALID complaint, the company will be BARRED from Bidding until the issue is resolved.

The main problem that I'm having, is getting ANY kind of OBO contact person or response. Right now I'm starting to think that OBO is a "ghost shell" of an organization. For example, go to www.state.gov and just TRY and find a person to contact in reguards to this issue.

[toddlampiris]

We HERE don't plan on letting this issue die. We're NOT going away until it is a closed issue. At the very least, I've heard that, if you have a VALID complaint, the company will be BARRED from Bidding until the issue is resolved.

The main problem that I'm having, is getting ANY kind of OBO contact person or response. Right now I'm starting to think that OBO is a "ghost shell" of an organization. For example, go to www.state.gov (http://www.state.gov) and just TRY and find a person to contact in reguards to this issue.

HELL, Try to find one that gives a shiite on the job you're on!!!!!!
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.......:wtf

[drifter]

I sent Lew an email and this is his response. I suggest EVERYONE involved with this project shoot him an email.

OBO has made it known to HITT, specifically Reg Arnold VP and Tom Mackin PM, when OBO was contacted previously over the last 18 months by Albanian vendors and subcontractors and HITT's prime US subcontractor, Morrison International, with complaints about non-payment. There is, however, little else that OBO can legally or contractually do at this point regarding HITT's contracts and agreements with HITT's own subcontractors, employees and vendors. And, at this time HITT and the USG still have not resolved their own contractual differences regarding the project.

Sorry, but I can't offer any help or guidance to you at this point other than to suggest that you continue dealing directly with HITT.

Lew Bremenstul
Project Director Lilongwe, Malawi

[whitts73]

Tom is with another company in DC area. They are an 8A company and is looking to have work coming up. He is still a good man. I believe that he is not going to be much help as he was also terminated by Reggie over the mess there. Tracey finally good to hear they canned his sorry ass. I went too many rounds telling him to clean house and listening to his bs advise and going ons. May he and that sorry excuse for a secretary enjoy a live of ************ together.
Reggie had us all sit around and asked us our opionon on getting the job done on time. I told him to man it with americans can the Alban and the rest. That safety man( or so he called himself) greg sat behind me shaking his head no and Reggie took his word and things continued on in a mess for two more months. They just wouldn't listen. So I am sorry to hear of the men getting stiffed on the bonuses. I know Hitt took a loss and is continueing to take a loss on Albania. The company treated me right on an earlier project with them that was a Mackin job. I have all the respect for Tom. Hitt is one of the few companies that treated us right by giving us full perdiem, and I know several of the men that came in when asked and we had submitted names. Reggie should look at what our true crafts personell did for him and pay them for effort. He should have listen and canned ALBAN AND Morrison management that was there and take the loss on those two bad choices and not the men that came and got it done.
My two cents.:lol:

Tom is with another company in DC area. They are an 8A company and is looking to have work coming up. He is still a good man. I believe that he is not going to be much help as he was also terminated by Reggie over the mess there. Traceyit's finally good to hear they canned his sorry ass. I went too many rounds telling him to clean house and listening to his bs advise and going ons. May he and that sorry excuse for a secretary enjoy a live of ************ together.
Reggie had us all sit around and asked us our opionon on getting the job done on time. I told him to man it with americans can Alban and the rest. That safety man( or so he called himself) greg sat behind me shaking his head no and Reggie took his word and things continued on in a mess for two more months. They just wouldn't listen. So I am sorry to hear of the men getting stiffed on the bonuses. I know Hitt took a loss and is continueing to take a loss on Albania. The company treated me right on an earlier project with them that was a Mackin job. I have all the respect for Tom. Hitt is one of the few companies that treated us right by giving us full perdiem, and I know several of the men that came in when asked and we had submitted names. Reggie should look at what our true crafts personell did for him and pay them for their effort. He should have listen and canned ALBAN AND Morrison management that was there and take the loss on those two bad choices and not the men that came and got it done.
My two cents.:lol:

[mexfishguide]

I have to agree with whitt on most of his comments, yes Tom got screwed as well as the crew, him Tracy, & Van liet, were put down the road over Albania,

That said, they would not listen, any of them, I still exchange e-mail with Tom. Even tho we had a falling out over him bringing back some MICI hands to help us after we took over. Hitt upper management should have taken the word of Don a year before and took the project over.:blahslap

I feel Tom would like to be a good ol boy, but in Tirana he was over his head,
Tracy did not have a clue, I think Whitt got a bad deal from him. I do not feel a bit bad over him getting his just rewards.

Just my opinion but whitt, myself, & Don, could have brought the job to a much better finish if we had been given the help.:wtf

Take Care
Mexfishguide:cheers

[HarmonicaMack]

During the first months of 2005, I personaly sent emails to the upper management of HITT Corp. in regards to problems associated with the Tiarana project. In Feb. of that yesr, I sent one outlining what I thought should be done in order to get the project finished on time and in budget. It meant that the upper management of Corp had to have the Balls to make the right decision "Now" because if that let this problem continue, then this project would not be finished until the end of 2006 or 2007. I again wrote an email to the VP and this is what I said "Wanted to let you know that the latest rumor control on the project, from good sources, OBO is looking for HITT to make some changes(ie, Subcontractor removal, Subcontractor personnel removal, etc.) and get this project moving forward, or they will send out a thirty day cure notice. If that doesn't get things moving, then they will work on terminating the contract with HITT."
As you can tell, I didn't leave anything to the imagination. Whitt is right in saying Tom Mackin wanted to do the right thing, but his hands were tied. The problems that HITT had on that project, could have been avoided if they had listened to the two people that ran the project for them. That's what they paid us for. Instead, they went about their business as if nothing was wrong in Tirana. Then they send Tracy in to fix the problem. He couldn't fix a construction problem if the solutions were falling all over his head. He created more problems by letting the real true problem fester. They were fore warned of the up coming dome, but waited nine months to react. By then it was too late.

HarmonicaMack

[TheJester]

Here's another email you all may want to shoot one too:

The Branch Chief in the construction branch of OBO who handles the EUR branch.
Kangaaf@state.gov (Kangaaf@state.gov).
He may be able to lead you in the right direction.

[HeadRat]

anyone tried this email address?

[traveler]

I guess that OBO has done the usual reshuffle of folks-typical. A few months ago, Melvin Arakaki was the CC/EUR person.

[drifter]

I tried, but got to some log-in page.

OK. Dumbass me clicked on the link and got to the log-in page. Just tried the email address and am waiting for a response. Get back to ya!

[desert rat 330]

Has anyone heard anything or have any new news from Hitt?? They finally responded to my letter stating the same thing everyone else has said. No bonus do to failure to meet compleation dates:wtf :banghead Has anyone talked to an attorney regarding this issue? Are we dead in the water??:blahslap :AR15 HITT:sport002: :kib:

[traveler]

With all the publicity going on about OBO, lack of project oversight, state dept. methods etc and the fact that the head of the state dept. IG (personally) is also under congressional scrutiny, maybe some well placed emails or phone calls to the IG department, CC to your Senators and Congressmen might get some results.

Any brother/sister rats out there currently at an embassy doing a rehab or renovation or just simply go to the American Citizen Services section of any embassy, look for a notice board and find the Fraud, Waste and Abuse poster.
At the bottom someplace is a phone number and/or an email address.

Let your fingers do the walkin and reach out and touch someone.

[paintermike]

With all the publicity going on about OBO, lack of project oversight, state dept. methods etc and the fact that the head of the state dept. IG (personally) is also under congressional scrutiny, maybe some well placed emails or phone calls to the IG department, CC to your Senators and Congressmen might get some results.

Any brother/sister rats out there currently at an embassy doing a rehab or renovation or just simply go to the American Citizen Services section of any embassy, look for a notice board and find the Fraud, Waste and Abuse poster.
At the bottom someplace is a phone number and/or an email address.

Let your fingers do the walkin and reach out and touch someone.Funny thing of it is though ,it will probably take sometime to find the poster, since this crap has been hidden for years.Oh I forgot it finally got out and the crap really stinks now.Hope they will jus do somethin about it.