Volume III, Issue 1 (October 2008)

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Volume III, Issue 1

  • NTEU Secures $2.7 Million Settlement and Pay Adjustments for SEC Employees Subject to Discriminatory Impact under Pay System

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    NTEU has reached a favorable settlement agreement with the SEC calling for payment of a total of $2.7 million to African-American employees and employees ages 40 and older who suffered discrimination under the agency’s embattled merit pay program. The settlement also provides for current salary adjustments for these employees. In addition, it includes provisions for the SEC to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Chapter 293 that will implement a variety of initiatives focused on diversity issues at the agency, which were recommended by Chapter 293 President Greg Gilman.

  • NTEU-Sought 3.9% Raise Signed into Law

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    NTEU’s persistent efforts to provide federal employees with a much-deserved higher pay raise paid off on September 30 when the president signed into law H.R. 2638, a $600 billion continuing resolution package that included an average 3.9 percent federal pay raise for 2009. This NTEU-sought pay raise is a full percentage higher than the president’s original budget request of 2.9 percent earlier this year.

  • Leave Bank Program Launched – All Employees Urged to Enroll

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    October is the open period for enrolling in the new union-negotiated Leave Sharing Program at the SEC.

  • FEHBP Premium Increases for 2009

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    On September 25, 2008, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced premium increases for enrollees in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP) for 2009. According to OPM, the average cost of premiums for FEHBP will rise by 7 percent in 2009. The average share of the premium paid by federal employees and retirees will increase by 7.9 percent. Like last year, OPM tapped into FEHBP’s reserve funds and used 3.1 percent of the reserve fund to keep premium increases from reaching double digits.

  • NTEU Offers Support for Federal Domestic Partner Legislation

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    Pending legislation to provide federal employees with domestic partners the same access as married employees and their spouses to participate in benefit programs would underscore the federal government’s traditional role as a model employer, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley told a Senate committee on September 23.

  • Miscellany

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    Gilman Visits LARO

    In September, Chapter 293 President Greg Gilman visited the Los Angeles Regional Office. While there, he met with individual members and leaders regarding various matters. He also attended a luncheon for LARO members, at which he made a representational presentation concerning merit pay, the pay raise, telework and other issues. The LARO event was well attended. Thank you to LARO members Kathy Cash, Sue Hannan, Karen Matteson and John Britt.

  • Meet a Member: LARO’s Kathy Cash

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    Kathy Cash has had an interesting journey on her way to becoming an NTEU member; she was told by SEC management that she couldn’t join, but she fought her way in.

  • Chapter Steward Forms Veterans Committee

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    On October 29th, at the SEC Disability Employment Awareness Month Celebration, the SEC will announce the formation of a Veterans Committee. The Veterans Committee principal founder is Susan Schneider, veteran and union steward in OCIE, HQ. Veterans are recognized by the EEO office as an affinity group, and the committee formation has been supported by Chairman Cox and Human Resources and is being sponsored by Commissioner Casey.

  • Pay for Performance

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    President's Perspective, October 2008: The recent national merit pay arbitration settlement between NTEU and the SEC is the latest milestone in the union’s continuing efforts to resolve fundamental problems with the agency’s pay for performance system. While we still have considerable ground left to cover, it is important to recognize the positive changes that have occurred at the agency as a result of the union’s efforts.