Volume IV, Issue 1 (Fall 2009)

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Volume IV, Issue 1 (Fall 2009)

  • SEC Scores Poor Marks in Federal Human Capital Survey

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    Earlier this year, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released the results of its 2008 Federal Human Capital Survey (FHCS). The FHCS results for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reflect an alarmingly high level of negative employee perceptions about the SEC’s senior leaders, the policies and procedures they implement, the quality and effectiveness of SEC managers, the fairness and transparency of promotions and performance awards and the extent to which front-line SEC employees have an impact on their own work-life.

  • Chapter 293 Reaches New Agreement on Compensation

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    In September, NTEU Chapter 293 entered into an agreement with the SEC concerning compensation issues. Under the terms of this agreement:

    • Commencing January 1, 2010, the Commission will lift the caps upon maximum salaries for SEC grades to provide pay scale comparability with other FIRREA agencies;

    • The SEC has committed the resources to complete the new Merit Pay system by January 2010;

    • During the transition to the new system, SEC employees will be provided a supplemental “equivalent share” pay raise of 1.125% in January 2010; and

  • Chapter 293 Election Results

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    Chapter 293's Nomination and Election Committee is pleased to announce the 2009 election results for the 2009-2012 term.

    First, we would like to thank members for voting, and for submitting nominations to the Committee. Next, we would like to thank the nominees who accepted the challenge and responsibility to lead our chapter by agreeing to be candidates.

    The Committee is also very grateful to the many members who volunteered to help the Committee during the election process by stuffing and labeling envelopes. Without all of you the election could not have taken place.

  • Almost 100 Corp Fin Employees Get Long Overdue Career Ladder Promotions

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    In early October, almost 100 employees in the Division of Corporation Finance received their career ladder promotions to Grade 14 as the result of an agreement between NTEU and senior management in the Division.

  • Domestic Partner Benefits at the SEC

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    In September, Chapter 293 signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the SEC creating a new Domestic Partners Benefits Program at the agency. Under this agreement, the SEC will provide certain benefits to an employee’s domestic partner and the domestic partner’s eligible dependent children. These benefits will include employee dental insurance, employee vision insurance and a new Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement benefit.

  • Upward Mobility Committee Completes Work

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    Upward Mobility Committee

    Participants in the new Upward Mobility Program will be chosen soon from the members of the support staff across the country who submitted applications. This program was negotiated by Chapter 293 in our most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement, and it will provide an opportunity for participating employees to perform higher graded duties at the agency, increasing their experience as well as their salaries. Chapter 293 believes that this program will have a positive effect on employees, encouraging them to achieve higher education and learning.

  • Chapter 293 Wins First Place Communications Award

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    During NTEU's Biannual National Convention in San Francisco a few weeks ago, Chapter 293 President Greg Gilman accepted the First Place Award for Excellence in Chapter Communications. This award recognizes outstanding achievement in overall communications among the hundreds of NTEU chapters, including how well the chapter utilizes various forms of media to reach its audience, the effectiveness of its message, communication results, writing and design.

  • H1N1 (Swine Flu) Update

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    H1N1 has become the first pandemic in over forty years, and it has many characteristics that make it unlike a typical seasonal flu. How severe it will be remains to be seen. With the flu season now upon us, it is a good time to review H1N1 concerns and procedures.

    Last week, Chapter 293 leaders received a briefing from Carl Schilling, Program Manager in the SEC’s Office of the Executive Director, regarding the SEC’s H1N1 policies. From this briefing, it is clear that the SEC agrees with the following recommendations from the CDC:

  • Fiscal Year 2009 Accomplishments

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    President's Perspective, October 2009: In FY 2009, Chapter 293 continued to demonstrate its value as your exclusive representative with a steady stream of successes. Here are just a few for your consideration now that the year is over:

    • The Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia affirmed the Union’s arbitration victory in the 2002 within grade increase case, which will lead to the payment of over ten million dollars in back pay and interest to hundreds of affected employees.