March 2008:

NYRO Lunch March 26

NTEU is holding a representational lunch for all NYRO bargaining unit employees on Wednesday, March 26 at 12:30, 17th Floor Forum Area. Chapter 293 President Greg Gilman, NTEU Field Representative Ralph Talarico, and NYRO stewards will be on hand to discuss the CBA, merit pay, alternative work schedules, telework and more. Sandwiches and salad will be served.

Headquarters Workshops Scheduled in April

March 2008: In some offices, OCIE managers have been restricting employee participation in some popular programs provided in the new collective bargaining agreement. Issues involve 4-10 schedules, telework arrangements and attire policies. NTEU representatives recently met with OCIE Director Lori Richards, and discussions related to these issues will continue in late March.

March 2008: The expanded telework provisions of the new CBA went into effect on February 26. Eligible employees who have worked on a recurring telework schedule for at least one year in the past may request to participate in the program for three, four or, in some cases, five days per week. Applications must be received by the SEC by March 31. Decisions on those applications will be made by April 21.

March 2008: On March 13, the House of Representatives approved a budget resolution that includes language to provide pay parity for federal civilian and military employees in fiscal 2009, as well as significant funds to reduce the backlog of disability determination cases at the Social Security Administration (SSA). The language — which does not set a figure for the salary increase but calls for equal amounts for both groups — was applauded by NTEU National President Colleen Kelley.

March 2008: The grand opening of the SEC’s new child care center, the Harbor at Station Place, occurred on January 30. SEC Chairman Chris Cox, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley, and Chapter 293 President Greg Gilman were all on hand for the ceremony.

The road leading up to the Harbor began when NTEU commenced negotiations with the SEC regarding the move to Station Place. An NTEU survey found that a child care center was a priority for many SEC employees. Chapter 293's bargaining team pressed this issue for two years before obtaining

March 2008: NTEU entered into a settlement agreement with the SEC, effective as of March 17, which partially resolves the union’s Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime rates grievance, and includes back pay and damages for numerous affected employees.

March 2008:

In February, during Congressional testimony on federal pay for performance systems, the SEC announced its commitment to temporarily separate its performance management system from its much-maligned merit pay system while the agency works with NTEU on implementation of a new performance management system.