Data Justifying Relocation of AIDPMO in Question
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today expressed concern to the Army that its rationale for moving jobs from the Tobyhanna Army Depot to Illinois may be flawed.
Relaying concerns expressed by constituents that cost savings data provided by the Army are inaccurate, Senator Casey pushed the Army to respond to the concerns due to the hardship that would be caused by the elimination of positions at Tobyhanna.
“My constituents deserve to have their concerns heard and questions answered about any plans to relocate positions to a different state,” said Senator Casey. “The depot and its workforce are a critical asset to the region and I am committed to ensuring that it continues to play a strong role in our national defense.”
The Army has proposed relocating the Army Intermodal and Distribution Platform Management Office (AIDPMO) to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. This move would eliminate 30 jobs at Tobyhanna. Senator Casey has pledged to fight to keep every possible asset at the depot.
Senator Casey outlined his concerns in a letter sent today to Secretary of the Army John McHugh:
The Honorable John McHugh
Secretary of the Army
U.S. Department of Defense
Dear Secretary McHugh:
I am writing in regards to the proposed relocation of the Army Intermodal and Distribution Platform Management Office (AIDPMO) from Tobyhanna Army Depot to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. I have been contacted by constituents in Pennsylvania who have raised concerns about the data that AIDPMO used to make this decision.
While I appreciate the Army’s efforts to promote efficiency and reduce unnecessary costs, I am concerned that these jobs could be taken from an area still suffering from high unemployment on the basis of inaccurate information. Given the hardship that would be caused by this move, I ask that this proposed relocation be reconsidered and that the Army provide a full accounting of the process that led to this decision.
Thank you for your attention to this request.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
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