FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- A group of workers in Jefferson County claims they were hired for a job on Fort Drum and laid off a week later.

According to a spokesperson on Fort Drum, M & E Technical Services was contracted through Fort McPherson, Georgia. The company was hired to attach up-armor to large and medium size vehicles for the 3rd Brigade's deployment. Fort Drum says the contract was from September 18th to October 25th, however, the job was completed just a few days ago.

One employee tells News 10 Now that workers were told the job would go until March and after only a week, 97 local workers were laid off. According to Fort Drum, a total of 220 workers were hired and only 18 of them were local.

"I had worked line up for the winter for myself personally, actually, and it would have lasted through the winter, but full benefits and 20 an hour plus overtime, almost 20 an hour plus overtime, why wouldn't I do it? It was a great opportunity and it was guaranteed. If I knew it was going to be for a week, I wouldn't have given all my work away," said Brad Nourse, Antwerp resident.

News 10 Now put in several calls to METS, but our calls to the company for comment were not returned.