November 2007: On Thursday, October 25, the membership of NTEU Chapter 293 voted almost unanimously to ratify a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The final vote result, which was certified by NTEU Counsel Michael Piacsek, was 99.8% in favor of the new contract. Chapter 293's leadership appreciates this strong showing of support from NTEU members across the country. The contract will now go to SEC Chairman Christopher Cox for agency head review. He will have thirty days to decide whether to execute the final ratified agreement.

November 2007: In September, NTEU won an important legal victory against the SEC’s pay-for-performance system in a case that challenged the agency’s implementation of its 2003 merit pay program. In a decision dated September 4, Arbitrator James Harkless found that the SEC’s subjective program for awarding merit step increases violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as well as the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). The parties have been directed to submit briefs to the arbitrator regarding an appropriate remedy by early November.

November 2007: In October, NTEU welcomed legislation in Congress that would reinstate the partnership concept that served federal labor and management so well prior to 2001. “The Federal Labor-Management Partnership Act of 2007 holds great promise for federal employees, their agencies and our country,” NTEU President Colleen Kelley said.

NTEU was an early and strong backer of such partnership efforts, which were successfully implemented under an executive order issued by former President Clinton. That order was rescinded by President Bush in 2001.

November 2007: On October 9, Rep. Barney Frank (D. Mass.) spoke to SEC employees at the invitation of Chapter 293. He appeared at the Boston Regional Office and his remarks were video-conferenced to all of the SEC’s offices. Congressman Frank is the Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, which oversees, among other things, the SEC and other entities, such as the NYSE and the NASD, which police the securities markets.

Of particular interest to SEC employees was Rep. Frank’s announcement at the beginning of his speech that new legislation would soon be introduced in Congress to raise the current five percent cap on the SEC's matching contributions to TSP accounts. This key legislation will be the first step towards significantly increasing the retirement benefits of SEC employees.

Over the summer, Chapter 293 officials had urged the SEC to meet its commitment to increase employee retirement benefits under the

November 2007: Jackie Rivas is a D.C. area native. She was born in Annapolis, Maryland, but grew up in the Virginia suburbs. She enjoys the area because of its international flair and diverse cultural offerings. “There are so many fun things to choose from, exhibits at the Smithsonian museums and the various art galleries, film festivals, the solar decathlon, wine-tastings at the Maison Française, and all the ethnic restaurants to name just a few,” she recently said. Her international interest stems from time spent living in Madrid, Spain, during college.

Condolences

We extend our deepest sympathies to FWRO member Harold Loftin and his family on the recent tragic death of his son. Please keep the Loftins in your prayers during this extremely difficult time for the family.

Please Visit Our New Chapter 293 Offices

Chapter 293 is now located in much improved new offices at Headquarters in D.C. These offices include a new meeting space and a separate working area. Please come visit us in Rooms 2541 and 2549 in Station Place. Our new mailing address is Mail Stop 1590.

Chapter 293-Negotiated Childcare Center to Open

During the office move bargaining for Station Place, Chapter 293 was able to obtain an agreement requiring the agency to provide a childcare center at Station Place. The grand opening event for this center, the Harbor at Station Place, will be occurring soon at Headquarters.

November 2007:

With the commencement of a new fiscal year at the SEC, I wanted to take a moment to reflect upon Chapter 293’s accomplishments over the past year, which has been a good one for the union and the SEC employees it represents.