On 19 February, the HomeSafe Alliance announced that it had completed more than 1,400 relocations under the new Global Household Goods Contract (GHC) for US Department of Defense (DoD) service members, civilians and their families.

It is now receiving approximately 300 new move assignments daily. 

But in making the announcement it appears to have incurred the wrath of IAM (International Association of Movers) when Bobby Nicholson, HomeSafe Alliance’s Chief Executive Officer claimed that “For years, legacy transportation providers have charged the government excessive rates and reaped substantial profit while delivering poor service to military members”.  He went on to say: “Now, they are doing everything they can to protect the system that has exorbitantly benefited them. But the status quo doesn’t work, which is why HomeSafe is dedicated to delivering better.”

Understandably, Brian Limperopulos, IAM President, took issue with this claim.  In a response on LinkedIn on 21 February, he pointed out that IAM was founded 63 years ago to advocate for moving companies serving military members and their families.  “During that time, our members have proudly supported the US Department of Defense (DoD) and have consistently worked to ensure that service members receive the highest quality relocation services possible.”

“For this reason, it is disappointing and frankly confusing how HomeSafe Alliance characterised our industry in its most recent press release.” He said that the statement does not reflect the reality of the thousands of companies and professionals who have dedicated themselves to supporting military families with care, professionalism, and commitment.  He added that: “It does not reflect the data either. In the last year alone, according to publicly available reports from US Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), military service members have reported an 89% customer satisfaction rate with their moves and a 92% on-time delivery rate. For military families who must uproot their lives and move to the next base or location, we certainly support striving to provide the best possible service with 100% customer satisfaction and on-time delivery.”

Brian continued: “At the same time, though, IAM has repeatedly cautioned that the GHC will not address the underlying challenges undermining military moving today. In fact, the GHC could exacerbate these challenges and create new problems. IAM’s comments to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on GHC provide helpful background on this.

Although HomeSafe Alliance contends that ‘the status quo doesn’t work’, there is a real danger that the future programme will not fulfil the promise to deliver better service if these challenges are not addressed and quality movers are run out of the programme.”

He concluded: “The GHC is a significant shock to the moving industry. Moving companies who have served DoD for decades may not be able to survive this transition and that capacity cannot be easily replaced.  Providing military service members with a successful moving programme will require the entire moving industry, including the legacy transportation providers, to work together towards that common goal.”