On January 17, 2008, NTEU entered into an agreement with the SEC resolving a national grievance regarding the Student Loan Repayment Program filed by the union a year ago. The grievance challenged the SEC’s decision to make unilateral changes to this popular program without first negotiating with the union.
Chapter 293 Regional Chief Steward Marshall Gandy, a Trial Attorney in the Fort Worth Regional Office, recently resigned from the SEC. Marshall has accepted a position with the Dallas District Office of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Created in 2007 through the consolidation of NASD and the regulation, enforcement and arbitration functions of the NYSE, FINRA is the largest non-governmental regulator for all securities firms doing business in the U.S.
In late November, SEC Chairman Chris Cox and NTEU National President Colleen Kelley signed the SEC’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement with NTEU. The new contract, which contains a number of key improvements, became effective as of November 27, 2007. Copies of the CBA are currently being distributed to all employees at the agency – ask your administrative contact if you have not yet received your copy. The contract also may be reviewed on the Resources page of Chapter 293's website, www.secunion.org.
The SEC and Chapter 293 have reached an agreement regarding the agency’s plans to reorganize employees in Station Place One and Two this year. The agreement also will provide a new rule for filling offices that become vacant after the reorganization.
In an important victory for federal employees, on December 26, 2007, President Bush signed an omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal 2008 that contains the 3.5% federal employee pay raise that NTEU has been advocating for on Capitol Hill for many months. In addition to the higher pay raise, the new legislation also contains several other NTEU-supported provisions, including improved rights for federal employees in contracting out competitions, an enhanced retirement benefit for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and a prohibition on a plan to reorganize and downsize Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food and drug safety operations.
The 2008 Legislative Conference will be held Monday, March 3, 2008 through Thursday, March 6, 2008, at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel at 480 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W., in Washington, DC. Attendees of past NTEU legislative conferences have felt that the value of the annual three-day event is the avenues of access that open for them on Capitol Hill.
This month Chapter 293 Works interviewed Azam Riaz, who is a Chapter 293 steward working in the New York Regional Office.
Azam began his career at the SEC after receiving his MBA from Farleigh Dickinson University seven years ago. He started as a compliance examiner and is now a staff accountant. His job includes conducting and participating in examinations of investment advisors, investment companies and hedge funds.
Article 43 of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement contains the details regarding the new Leave Sharing Program that NTEU recently negotiated for SEC employees.
Participating employees will donate a small amount of annual leave each year, and that leave will be available to assist participants who need additional leave to deal with a medical emergency faced by them or a family member. The Open Season for participating in this new program will occur during October of each year.
In December, the Senate voted to approve S. 274, which would expand whistleblower rights for federal employees. The measure, introduced by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), would make it clear that federal employees are protected for any disclosure of waste, fraud or abuse, including on those matters learned about in connection with an employee’s job duties.
NTEU is continuing to recognize and honor members and their family members who are serving in the military. To date, the online tribute, available at www.nteu.org, contains 130 individuals in the armed forces. We encourage you to submit information to NTEU so we can include them or their loved ones in the tribute. Submissions should include service branch, rank, duty station and hometown. Photos are also encouraged. Current listings can be updated. Send submissions, including photos, electronically to NTEU-PR@nteu.org or via mail to NTEU Public Relations, 1750 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
Upward Mobility Committee
In January, Chapter 293 and the SEC will appoint members to a committee to implement the new upward mobility provisions contained in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. If you are interested in the possibility of working on this committee with management, please contact Chapter 293 President Greg Gilman.
President's Perspective, January 2008: Given the recent enactment of the 2008 3.5% pay raise, now is good time to consider part of the representation that your union dues make possible every year– NTEU’s tireless lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill to bring you the best pay raises possible. Indeed, in every year but one since 2002, NTEU’s efforts led directly to higher average raises than those that were originally proposed by the administration:
