Presidents Perspective

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.

10/6/08: I wanted to provide further detail about the comprehensive settlement agreement, announced today by NTEU National President Colleen Kelley, that NTEU has signed with the SEC involving our national grievances alleging discrimination in the SEC’s "pay for performance" program from 2003 through 2007. While this is a significant achievement on behalf of those employees who will receive a monetary settlement, it is also an important step in establishing a fair pay system for all SEC employees.

President's Perspective, May 2008: In March and April, the new Expanded Telework Trial Program went into effect. Under this new program, which resulted from NTEU’s recent Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations, employees who have in the past participated in recurring telework arrangements at the SEC will be working from home for 3, 4 and in some cases 5 days per week. This program represents a major step forward for the continued expansion of telework opportunities at the SEC.

President's Perspective, 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.

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:

President's Perspective, 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.

Chapter 293 Bargaining Team (L-R), Dean Suehiro, Greg Gilman, Netta Williams, Katie Nix, Veronica Lewis

President's Perspective, October 2007: This afternoon, the membership of NTEU Chapter 293 voted almost unanimously to ratify the 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. We appreciate this strong showing of support from our members across the country.

President's Perspective, June 2007: Last week, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report to Congress reviewing how several federal financial regulatory agencies have implemented key performance management practices.