Implementations of automation/robotics projects for Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) functions have been slowed by COVID-19, says a union official, but the union continues to monitor their development and planning including potential job impacts.

DFAS management officials are now meeting monthly with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)/DFAS National Council to review the upcoming projects and impacts, council President Edward Abounader said Thursday. Among union aims are to seek a clearer distinction between projects involving efficiency, which can help employees perform jobs better, and cost-effectiveness which potentially could reduce jobs, said Abounader, also president of the AFGE local at Rome DFAS.

Of about 20 automation/robotics projects planned by management including some that have started, Abounader said most involve job efficiency. But a few conceivably could involve cost-effectiveness, which “would get higher scrutiny” by the union, he added. DFAS management said last year the overall initiative is not aimed at reducing positions, but at improving efficiencies and helping employees better use their skills. Abounader said last October that two of the projects were moving toward implementation.

Regarding effects of COVID-19, Abounader said implementation of projects has been limited including some that have “not been totally implemented” because there are not “people in the buildings.” He said last week that about 90% of DFAS staff is continuing to work remotely; teleworking opportunities to work from home were expanded last spring by DFAS because of COVID-19.

At Rome DFAS, which has about 960 employees, Abounader has estimated over 900 are working remotely.

Nationally, the automation/robotics project implementations have been restricted by “lack of personnel on-site,” while development and planning has continued, Abounader observed.

In addition to Rome DFAS, the union national council represents employees at four other DFAS sites including Indianapolis, Ind.; Cleveland and Columbus in Ohio; and Limestone, Maine. The automation/robotics projects might various impacts for Rome DFAS which includes several entry-level jobs, said Abounader, also noting that location along with the Limestone facility are “more ancillary sites.”

The approximately 20 automation/robotics projects “on the drawing board” are expected to move further with implementations by the end of this year or into 2021, said Abouander, noting the union is being briefed by management on their “stages of development.”

The union’s monthly meetings with management regarding the projects began about five months ago and have “worked out very well’’ including “working cooperatively to understand projects,” Abounader observed. The union national council overall represents more than 9,000 employees at the five DFAS sites.

Much of the work at Rome DFAS has involved processing Army financial accounts including payroll, vendor payments and travel. DFAS is an accounting arm of the U.S. Department of Defense.