5/6/12: During NTEU's National Steward Training Conference last week, several Chapter 293 leaders were recognized for their important work for SEC employees over the past year. Among the recipients of Leadership Awards were Dan Barry, James Fay, Lawrence Pisto and Paul Prata from the Boston Regional Office.
Lawrence was recognized for serving on Chapter 293's national Collective Bargaining Team, which is currently negotiating with management over our basic Union contract at the SEC, which will address a wide range of employee programs and rights, such as telework and alternative work... Read more ...
Union News Archive
05/06/2012
5/6/12: During NTEU's National Steward Training Conference last week, several Chapter 293 leaders were recognized for their important work for SEC employees over the past year. Among the recipients of Leadership Awards were Joel Crepea, Carol Fava, John Graubard, James Hanson, Will Ostrow and Azam Riaz from the New York Regional Office.
Azam and Joel were both recognized for serving on Chapter 293's national Collective Bargaining Team, which is currently negotiating with management over our basic Union contract at the SEC, which will address a wide range of employee programs and rights, such... Read more ...
Azam and Joel were both recognized for serving on Chapter 293's national Collective Bargaining Team, which is currently negotiating with management over our basic Union contract at the SEC, which will address a wide range of employee programs and rights, such... Read more ...
05/06/2012
5/6/12: During NTEU's National Steward Training conference last week, several Chapter 293 leaders were recognized for their important work over the past year. Among the recipients of Leadership Awards were MIRO leaders Drew Panahi and Terry Tennant.
Drew and Terry, who were unable to attend the conference, were both recognized for their work representing SEC employees as Union stewards in negotiations and grievances in the MIRO.
"MIRO employees should be very proud to have among them such talented individuals who are volunteering their time and energy to make a positive contribution to... Read more ...
Drew and Terry, who were unable to attend the conference, were both recognized for their work representing SEC employees as Union stewards in negotiations and grievances in the MIRO.
"MIRO employees should be very proud to have among them such talented individuals who are volunteering their time and energy to make a positive contribution to... Read more ...
05/06/2012
5/6/12: During NTEU's steward training conference last week, several Chapter 293 leaders were recognized for their important work over this past year. Among the recipients of Leadership Awards were LARO leaders Melissia Buckhalter-Honore, Sue Hannan and Karen Matteson.
Sue and Karen were both recognized for their work representing SEC employees as Union stewards in negotiations and grievances in the LARO.
Melissia was recognized for her service as a member of Chapter 293's Legislative Committee. As a member of that committee, Melissia traveled to Washington, D.C. for NTEU's 2012 Legislative... Read more ...
Sue and Karen were both recognized for their work representing SEC employees as Union stewards in negotiations and grievances in the LARO.
Melissia was recognized for her service as a member of Chapter 293's Legislative Committee. As a member of that committee, Melissia traveled to Washington, D.C. for NTEU's 2012 Legislative... Read more ...
05/06/2012
5/6/12: During NTEU's national steward training conference last week, several Chapter 293 leaders were recognized for their leadership roles over this past year. Among the recipients of these awards was Enforcement Attorney John Popham in the Fort Worth Regional Office.
John, who was unable to attend the conference this year, was recognized for his tireless efforts representing Fort Worth employees as a Chapter 293 steward.
"The employees in the FWRO should be very proud to have among them such a talented individual who is volunteering his time and energy to make a positive contribution to... Read more ...
John, who was unable to attend the conference this year, was recognized for his tireless efforts representing Fort Worth employees as a Chapter 293 steward.
"The employees in the FWRO should be very proud to have among them such a talented individual who is volunteering his time and energy to make a positive contribution to... Read more ...
05/06/2012
5/6/12: During NTEU's national steward training conference last week, several Chapter 293 leaders were recognized for their leadership roles over this past year. Among the recipients of these awards were Enforcement Attorney Dee O'Hair and Compliance Examiner Judy Kotula in the Chicago Regional Office.
Dee was recognized for her work on Chapter 293's Legislative Committee. As a member of that committee, she and several other SEC employees traveled to Washington, D.C. for NTEU's 2012 Legislative Conference, where they helped to deliver a strong message on the Hill to support the SEC's critical... Read more ...
Dee was recognized for her work on Chapter 293's Legislative Committee. As a member of that committee, she and several other SEC employees traveled to Washington, D.C. for NTEU's 2012 Legislative Conference, where they helped to deliver a strong message on the Hill to support the SEC's critical... Read more ...
05/06/2012
5/6/12: During NTEU's national steward training conference last week, several Chapter 293 leaders were recognized for their leadership roles over this past year. Among the recipients of these awards was Senior Staff Accountant Deborah Shaw of the Atlanta Regional Office.
Deborah was recognized for her service as a Union steward and her work recruiting new Union members.
"The employees in the ARO should be very proud to have among them such a talented individual who is volunteering her time and energy to make a positive contribution to improving the agency," Chapter 293 President Greg Gilman... Read more ...
Deborah was recognized for her service as a Union steward and her work recruiting new Union members.
"The employees in the ARO should be very proud to have among them such a talented individual who is volunteering her time and energy to make a positive contribution to improving the agency," Chapter 293 President Greg Gilman... Read more ...
05/06/2012
5/6/12: During NTEU's National Steward Training Conference last week, several Chapter 293 leaders were recognized for their important work for SEC employees over the past year. Among the recipients of Leadership Awards were Olga Cruz-Ortiz, Noel Gittens, Tom Swiers, Alton Turner, Cate Whiting and Ken Wijesinghe from the Division of Enforcement. These individuals have made numerous contributions as Union representatives at the SEC during the past year.
Olga Cruz-Ortiz and Ken Wijesinghe are computer forensics IT Specialists in the Division of Enforcement. Both of them serve as Chapter 293... Read more ...
Olga Cruz-Ortiz and Ken Wijesinghe are computer forensics IT Specialists in the Division of Enforcement. Both of them serve as Chapter 293... Read more ...
05/03/2012
The grim news that a complaint has been issued by an independent federal agency alleging that the SEC has violated the most basic statutory requirement in dealing with its own workforce – the duty to bargain in good faith with its employees' representatives – raises serious questions about SEC senior leadership's approach to dealing with the men and women who perform the day to day mission of the Commission.
The Federal Labor Relations Authority’s complaint against the SEC is remarkable. As the president of a strong, well supported chapter of a federal labor union it is, of course, not news... Read more ...
The Federal Labor Relations Authority’s complaint against the SEC is remarkable. As the president of a strong, well supported chapter of a federal labor union it is, of course, not news... Read more ...
04/26/2012
4/26/12: Congress must act quickly to reinstate parity between parking and mass transit benefits and provide much needed relief to hard-working, middle class Americans, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley told a House committee today.
“Many working people, who use public transportation to get to and from work, rely on the transit benefit which has provided much needed relief in their commuting costs. Many of these workers are struggling in the current economic climate, and a reduction in these benefits is imposing a severe financial burden on them,” stated Kelley.
Kelley submitted her... Read more ...
“Many working people, who use public transportation to get to and from work, rely on the transit benefit which has provided much needed relief in their commuting costs. Many of these workers are struggling in the current economic climate, and a reduction in these benefits is imposing a severe financial burden on them,” stated Kelley.
Kelley submitted her... Read more ...
04/25/2012
9/5/12: The SEC and NTEU recently jointly announced fitness center discounts for SEC regional offices. While the Union agreed to offer input on these modest discounts as an interim solution for regional employees, we are continuing to pursue a fitness center subsidy as a better longterm answer for the regions.
For more than a year, the Union's Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiating team has repeatedly proposed that the SEC provide a fitness center benefit to regional office employees, to encourage a healthy lifestyle at the agency. Our preferred approach to this issue is for the agency... Read more ...
For more than a year, the Union's Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiating team has repeatedly proposed that the SEC provide a fitness center benefit to regional office employees, to encourage a healthy lifestyle at the agency. Our preferred approach to this issue is for the agency... Read more ...
04/19/2012
4/19/12: Multiple Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Resolutions have been introduced in the Senate. Yesterday, the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) unveiled his own proposal. His outline, which is not expected to be introduced as legislation, mirrors proposals the Simpson-Bowles deficit commission plan put forward in late 2010.
The Simpson-Bowles deficit commission plan was a comprehensive deficit reduction proposal that included revenue increases as well as entitlement reforms but is also not likely to be approved by the Senate. The Simpson-Bowles plan recommended... Read more ...
The Simpson-Bowles deficit commission plan was a comprehensive deficit reduction proposal that included revenue increases as well as entitlement reforms but is also not likely to be approved by the Senate. The Simpson-Bowles plan recommended... Read more ...
04/19/2012
4/19/12: The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a business meeting yesterday at which they reported out HR 4363, which sets up a phased retirement program for federal employees. This idea was first suggested in President Obama’s FY 2013 budget and was included in the Senate Transportation bill, S. 1813.
The phased retirement program allows federal employees in CSRS or FERS to enter a gradual, phased retirement status at the end of their careers, with certain stipulations. The employees receive income from their part-time salary and a prorated, defined benefit pension. ... Read more ...
The phased retirement program allows federal employees in CSRS or FERS to enter a gradual, phased retirement status at the end of their careers, with certain stipulations. The employees receive income from their part-time salary and a prorated, defined benefit pension. ... Read more ...
04/18/2012
4/18/12: The SEC's Office of Human Resources today informed Union officials that SEC employees who are given an intra-agency, voluntary transfer to another AD group will not be permitted to maintain their previously established Expanded Telework Program schedules. OHR informed NTEU that it is now advising all managers at the SEC not to permit any employee to retain their Expanded Telework Program schedule when they are granted a reassignment, even in cases where management might be willing to exercise discretion to allow an employee to remain on his or her established telework schedule. This... Read more ...
04/17/2012
4/17/12: NTEU National President Colleen Kelley today applauded long-delayed action by the General Services Administration (GSA) to raise the mileage reimbursement rate to 55.5 cents per mile for federal workers who use their personal vehicles in the performance of their duties. NTEU has been seeking such a step from GSA since the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) raised the rate from 51 cents per mile in 2011.
“With average gas prices at or approaching four dollars a gallon in some parts of the country, this overdue increase will make a significant and important difference in the travel costs... Read more ...
“With average gas prices at or approaching four dollars a gallon in some parts of the country, this overdue increase will make a significant and important difference in the travel costs... Read more ...
04/02/2012
4/2/12: Last week, the SEC's Office of Human Resources sent out this SEC Today communication concerning the recent trial run of the new, so-called "evidence-based" performance management system. This message has generated some confusion and a lot of questions from employees.
In its communication, OHR asserted that it "is using the numerical ratings in conjunction with information gathered from focus groups, surveys, and interviews to evaluate and refine the system." OHR then went on to state that its "preliminary findings show that the EBP system is a marked improvement over the previous SEC... Read more ...
In its communication, OHR asserted that it "is using the numerical ratings in conjunction with information gathered from focus groups, surveys, and interviews to evaluate and refine the system." OHR then went on to state that its "preliminary findings show that the EBP system is a marked improvement over the previous SEC... Read more ...
03/23/2012
3/26/12: Over the past several months, NTEU has noted a marked rise in formal disciplinary actions against SEC employees. This trend is disturbing -- not only due to the increased volume of cases, but also because of the nature of the matters. More and more often, the Union is seeing cases that previously would not have been handled as formal disciplines. Union leadership feels that you should be aware of this troubling workplace trend.
One aspect of the trend involves managers who are seeking formal discipline against employees for performance related issues, and/or disagreements with... Read more ...
One aspect of the trend involves managers who are seeking formal discipline against employees for performance related issues, and/or disagreements with... Read more ...
03/23/2012
3/23/12: Earlier this week, NTEU Chapter 293 formally requested from the SEC the ratings data related to SEC management's "evidence based" performance management system. As in past years, the Union has requested detailed information regarding ratings broken down by office, division, regional office, position, grade, race, ethnicity, gender and age.
Making the ratings data available to employees is absolutely essential to establish transparency in the system. Without publishing the ratings data, employees would be unable to place their own ratings into a meaningful context. We are working to... Read more ...
Making the ratings data available to employees is absolutely essential to establish transparency in the system. Without publishing the ratings data, employees would be unable to place their own ratings into a meaningful context. We are working to... Read more ...
03/23/2012
3/23/12: Yesterday, the Senate passed the House version of the STOCK Act to enhance transparency by elected officials and senior government executives. The legislation has been modified to accommodate privacy concerns NTEU raised for bargaining unit employees concerning the publication of their OGE Form 450 information to the public.
The STOCK Act was originially proposed in response to concerns about insider stock trading by members of Congress. Both the House and Senate original versions of this bill included a provision to compel all trade and holdings disclosures by Congress and senior... Read more ...
The STOCK Act was originially proposed in response to concerns about insider stock trading by members of Congress. Both the House and Senate original versions of this bill included a provision to compel all trade and holdings disclosures by Congress and senior... Read more ...
03/22/2012
3/22/12: Yesterday, the House Budget Committee approved a budget resolution for fiscal year 2013 offered by Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI). The budget sets the discretionary spending cap at $1.028 trillion, some $19 billion below the spending cap agreed to by both houses last August. The budget was approved by a committee vote of 19-18, with two Republicans voting with the Democrats against the budget.
Before the vote, NTEU sent this letter to each member on the committee, urging a “No” vote on the proposal. Representative Ryan’s budget seeks to extend the federal employee pay freeze... Read more ...
Before the vote, NTEU sent this letter to each member on the committee, urging a “No” vote on the proposal. Representative Ryan’s budget seeks to extend the federal employee pay freeze... Read more ...
03/20/2012
3/20/12: Today, Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI), Chair of the House Budget Committee, unveiled his budget for FY 2013. As it did last year, the budget calls for drastic cuts in federal personnel and benefits. Stating that federal employees are “immune from the effects of the recession” and justifying cuts to federal personnel and benefits by saying that the cuts “reflect the growing frustration of workers across the country at the privileged rules enjoyed by government employees,” Representative Ryan’s proposals calls for a 10% reduction in personnel over the next three years through... Read more ...
03/19/2012
3/19/12: Last week NTEU wrote this letter to two key Senate leaders about NTEU’s views on the STOCK Act, which has passed both chambers of Congress in different versions. The STOCK Act originated in response to concerns about insider stock trading by members of Congress. Strong insider trading prohibitions and financial disclosure rules already exist for employees of the Executive Branch.
Due to a last minute floor amendment from Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL), the Senate version of the STOCK Act includes a provision putting the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Form 450 filings on a... Read more ...
Due to a last minute floor amendment from Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL), the Senate version of the STOCK Act includes a provision putting the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Form 450 filings on a... Read more ...
03/14/2012
3/14/12: For almost a year now, NTEU has led an effort to obtain an increase in the mileage reimbursement for government-related travel from the 51¢ set in January 1, 2011 to account for rising fuel prices since then. NTEU was successful in the first step in this process when IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman raised the allowable mileage reimbursement rate from 51¢ to 55.5¢. In doing this, Commissioner Shulman was acting in his policy capacity over tax regulations, not as the employer of workers at the IRS. In order for this to apply to federal employees a second step is needed, taken by the... Read more ...
03/14/2012
3/14/12: Earlier today the Senate approved legislation, S.1813, the “Moving Ahead for Progress for the 21st Century Act,” which would reinstate parity between the transit and parking portions of the commuter benefit through 2012 and make it retroactive back to January.
As you know, in 2010, as part of the “Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010,” Congress included a provision that kept the mass transit portion of the commuter benefit at $230 per month for 2011, preventing a reduction to $125 per month, and keeping it equal to the parking tax benefit... Read more ...
As you know, in 2010, as part of the “Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010,” Congress included a provision that kept the mass transit portion of the commuter benefit at $230 per month for 2011, preventing a reduction to $125 per month, and keeping it equal to the parking tax benefit... Read more ...
03/13/2012
3/13/12: NTEU today applauded Senate action in turning aside legislative language that would have extended the current two-year federal pay freeze for another year.
“Rejecting this amendment is clear evidence that many members of the Senate understand the need for shared sacrifice among every group in our society, rather than turning to federal employees for even greater contributions, especially to fund matters unrelated to the federal workforce,” said NTEU National President Colleen Kelley.
If approved, the amendment, offered by Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), would have become part of the... Read more ...
“Rejecting this amendment is clear evidence that many members of the Senate understand the need for shared sacrifice among every group in our society, rather than turning to federal employees for even greater contributions, especially to fund matters unrelated to the federal workforce,” said NTEU National President Colleen Kelley.
If approved, the amendment, offered by Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), would have become part of the... Read more ...