6/18/08: Senator Jim Webb (D. Va.) has introduced a paid parental leave bill identical to HR 5781, which is expected to be voted on in the House this week. Yesterday, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley sent Senator Webb a letter expressing NTEU's thanks and support for this action.
Having similar bills in both Houses of Congress increases the chance of enactment of this much-needed legislation. Given that this year is a short legislative session due to the fall elections, it is unclear whether the issue will be finally addressed during this session.
As the following facts demonstrate,... Read more ...
Union News Archive
06/17/2008
6/17/08: The House Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee today approved a 3.9% pay raise for federal civilian employees in 2009. This is a full 1 percent higher than the administration's proposed increase of 2.9%. NTEU has been working hard for the 3.9% increase.
This action is an important step in achieving parity in next year’s pay raise for both members of the military and those in the federal civilian workforce. In approving the Defense Authorization bill in May, the House approved a 2009 raise of 3.9 percent for those in the military. Today’s action by the... Read more ...
This action is an important step in achieving parity in next year’s pay raise for both members of the military and those in the federal civilian workforce. In approving the Defense Authorization bill in May, the House approved a 2009 raise of 3.9 percent for those in the military. Today’s action by the... Read more ...
06/17/2008
6/17/08: NTEU National President Colleen Kelley described as timely and necessary legislation introduced today by Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) that would boost to 70 cents per mile the reimbursement rate for the personal use of a vehicle for business reasons. The current rate set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is 50 ½ cents per mile.
The Lewis measure supports a call by President Kelley late last week in a letter to IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman for a mid-year increase by the IRS in the reimbursement rate; it also mirrors pending Senate legislation which would boost the rate to 70 cents... Read more ...
The Lewis measure supports a call by President Kelley late last week in a letter to IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman for a mid-year increase by the IRS in the reimbursement rate; it also mirrors pending Senate legislation which would boost the rate to 70 cents... Read more ...
06/17/2008
6/17/08: Offering vivid examples of hardships that could be significantly minimized or avoided entirely, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley today strongly supported approval of legislation providing both federal and congressional employees with four weeks of paid parental leave.
President Kelley urged House approval of H.R. 5781, introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), which would convert to paid leave four of the 12 weeks of unpaid leave currently available to workers under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee previously... Read more ...
President Kelley urged House approval of H.R. 5781, introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), which would convert to paid leave four of the 12 weeks of unpaid leave currently available to workers under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee previously... Read more ...
06/16/2008
6/16/08: Congress has been considering early versions of a comprehensive piece of legislation to move the health care industry toward a system of electronic recordkeeping and information sharing, known as health information technology (IT). While the goal of establishing health IT policies and standards to establish electronic medical records and information exchange could prove useful down the road, NTEU has concerns about its immediate impact on the cost to FEHBP enrollees.
Click here, Kelley Letter, to review a copy of the letter NTEU National President Colleen Kelley sent to Chairman... Read more ...
Click here, Kelley Letter, to review a copy of the letter NTEU National President Colleen Kelley sent to Chairman... Read more ...
06/06/2008
6/6/05: On June 5, 2008, the House passed S. Con Res. 70, the FY 2009 final budget conference agreement with pay parity language intact. The House had included the NTEU-backed pay parity language in its version of the bill; however, the Senate had not included it. At NTEU’s urging, the final package included pay parity and has now been passed by the House and Senate.
This is important because on May 22nd, the House passed the Department of Defense Authorization bill (H.R. 5658) with the 3.9 percent military personnel pay raise included. NTEU has joined the military in supporting that level... Read more ...
This is important because on May 22nd, the House passed the Department of Defense Authorization bill (H.R. 5658) with the 3.9 percent military personnel pay raise included. NTEU has joined the military in supporting that level... Read more ...
06/05/2008
6/5/08: The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) ruled in favor of NTEU this week, affirming a decision of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) that the SEC is required to make back pay distributions to all SEC employees who should have received within grade increases (WIGIs) in 2002.
This case began when NTEU filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) complaint against the SEC in 2002, asserting that the agency had violated federal labor law by unilaterally implementing its new Pay Parity system and terminating WIGIs without first completing bargaining with the union. The SEC ceased giving... Read more ...
This case began when NTEU filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) complaint against the SEC in 2002, asserting that the agency had violated federal labor law by unilaterally implementing its new Pay Parity system and terminating WIGIs without first completing bargaining with the union. The SEC ceased giving... Read more ...
06/04/2008
6/4/08: Yesterday afternoon, the U.S. House of Representatives passed on a voice vote HR 4106, the Telework Improvements Act of 2007, sponsored by Representative Danny Davis (D-IL). This legislation largely follows recommendations NTEU made in congressional testimony last November.
The bipartisan bill seeks to ensure that all eligible employees will have the opportunity to telework. It defines teleworking employees as those who telework at least 20% of the time. The bill would require agencies to provide training on telework to both managers and employees and have each agency appoint a full-... Read more ...
The bipartisan bill seeks to ensure that all eligible employees will have the opportunity to telework. It defines teleworking employees as those who telework at least 20% of the time. The bill would require agencies to provide training on telework to both managers and employees and have each agency appoint a full-... Read more ...
06/04/2008
06/02/2008
Click HERE to read the May 2008 edition of Chapter 293 Works.
05/30/2008
5/30/08: NTEU today called on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to establish regulations that guard against arbitrary management decisions leading to discrimination based on age under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), particularly in alternative pay systems.
The NTEU recommendations were submitted to the EEOC in response to a Federal Register notice that, pursuant to a Supreme Court decision, the commission is proposing to revise its regulations governing the burden of proof for disparate impact claims made under the ADEA. Such claims are made under the law... Read more ...
The NTEU recommendations were submitted to the EEOC in response to a Federal Register notice that, pursuant to a Supreme Court decision, the commission is proposing to revise its regulations governing the burden of proof for disparate impact claims made under the ADEA. Such claims are made under the law... Read more ...
05/28/2008
Ralph Talarico
05/27/2008
5/27/08: Chapter 293 and the SEC have entered into a memorandum of understanding regarding the implementation of Quicktime, the new web-based time and attendance system for employees at the SEC and a number of other federal agencies.
Under the agreement, bargaining unit employees will commence the use of Quicktime for time and attendance in May and June. However, the use of any pre-defined activity codes for categorizing time will not be required for at least the remainder of FY 2008. Only time spent working or on leave will be tracked for the time being. If the SEC later decides to require... Read more ...
Under the agreement, bargaining unit employees will commence the use of Quicktime for time and attendance in May and June. However, the use of any pre-defined activity codes for categorizing time will not be required for at least the remainder of FY 2008. Only time spent working or on leave will be tracked for the time being. If the SEC later decides to require... Read more ...
05/27/2008
5/27/08: NTEU today welcomed a Supreme Court decision extending to federal employees the same protections against retaliation for alleging age discrimination as are presently enjoyed by private sector workers. NTEU filed an amicus brief in the case arguing for just such a decision.
In a 6-3 decision involving a Postal Service employee, the Court supported a broad reading of the 1967 Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), which was extended to the federal workforce in 1974. It rejected arguments that the exclusive remedies from such retaliation for federal employees are contained in the... Read more ...
In a 6-3 decision involving a Postal Service employee, the Court supported a broad reading of the 1967 Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), which was extended to the federal workforce in 1974. It rejected arguments that the exclusive remedies from such retaliation for federal employees are contained in the... Read more ...
05/22/2008
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. Indeed, many federal agencies have not seen this type of forward progress on telework in recent years.
The... Read more ...
The... Read more ...
05/22/2008
Gilman Speaks at FWRO and NYRO
NTEU recently held representational luncheons for bargaining unit employees in New York and Fort Worth. On March 26, Chapter 293 President Greg Gilman and NTEU Representative Ralph Talarico made a presentation at the NYRO, and on April 9, Gilman and NTEU Representative Dennis Schneider spoke to employees at the FWRO.
At both presentations, a range of issues were discussed, including the CBA, pay raises, merit pay, alternative work schedules and telework. These successful events were extremely well attended. Thanks to NYRO stewards Joel Crepea, John Graubard,... Read more ...
NTEU recently held representational luncheons for bargaining unit employees in New York and Fort Worth. On March 26, Chapter 293 President Greg Gilman and NTEU Representative Ralph Talarico made a presentation at the NYRO, and on April 9, Gilman and NTEU Representative Dennis Schneider spoke to employees at the FWRO.
At both presentations, a range of issues were discussed, including the CBA, pay raises, merit pay, alternative work schedules and telework. These successful events were extremely well attended. Thanks to NYRO stewards Joel Crepea, John Graubard,... Read more ...
05/22/2008
Pay Raise Work Continues
On May 7, 2008, the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel of the Armed Services Committee voted out its portion of the Department of Defense authorization bill (H.R. 5658) with a provision that provides a 3.9 percent pay raise for the military.
The measure was passed by the full House Armed Services Committee on May 14, 2008. The subcommittee’s action follows the Senate Armed Services Committee’s reported bill last week with an identical raise.
NTEU has worked hard to achieve this pay raise recommendation on both sides of Congress. It is in the interest of pay... Read more ...
On May 7, 2008, the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel of the Armed Services Committee voted out its portion of the Department of Defense authorization bill (H.R. 5658) with a provision that provides a 3.9 percent pay raise for the military.
The measure was passed by the full House Armed Services Committee on May 14, 2008. The subcommittee’s action follows the Senate Armed Services Committee’s reported bill last week with an identical raise.
NTEU has worked hard to achieve this pay raise recommendation on both sides of Congress. It is in the interest of pay... Read more ...
05/22/2008
Chapter 293 is continuing to recruit union members who are willing to participate in the development of performance appraisal parameters for their positions. If you are interested in working on this important project, please contact Chapter 293 President Greg Gilman.
05/22/2008
A few weeks ago, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson issued the Blueprint for Reform of Federal Financial Regulatory Agencies (a copy of this document is available on the “Resources” page of Chapter 293's website). This proposal obviously has the potential to have a substantial impact on the work lives of NTEU members at the SEC, as well as at a number of other agencies. Also affected would be the investors, consumers and others who rely upon the critical work performed by NTEU members at these important agencies.
Paulson’s blueprint is complex in some aspects and ambivalent in others. It speaks... Read more ...
Paulson’s blueprint is complex in some aspects and ambivalent in others. It speaks... Read more ...
05/22/2008
In April, Chapter 293 filed a national grievance challenging the new attire policy imposed by Lori Richards, the Director of the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (“OCIE”).
OCIE’s new policy provides that employees are required to wear formal business attire whenever they are meeting with outside parties on examinations, even in cases where a registrant has a business casual attire policy. The only exception provided in this policy is in situations where there is little or no chance of interacting with anyone outside the SEC, such as when “reviewing materials in a warehouse.”... Read more ...
OCIE’s new policy provides that employees are required to wear formal business attire whenever they are meeting with outside parties on examinations, even in cases where a registrant has a business casual attire policy. The only exception provided in this policy is in situations where there is little or no chance of interacting with anyone outside the SEC, such as when “reviewing materials in a warehouse.”... Read more ...
05/22/2008
In February, the SEC announced its intention to suspend its merit pay program for 2008 by temporarily separating it from the performance evaluation process, while it continues to work with NTEU to create a new, fairer process for evaluating employees. In April, NTEU and the SEC reached an agreement on implementation of this temporary separation of merit pay from the appraisal process.
This agreement has three main components. First, all employees who are rated “acceptable” this year will receive an equivalent percentage salary increase. These salary increases will be the same percentage... Read more ...
This agreement has three main components. First, all employees who are rated “acceptable” this year will receive an equivalent percentage salary increase. These salary increases will be the same percentage... Read more ...
05/22/2008
5/22/08: Language stating that it is the sense of Congress that there should be pay parity between military and civilian employees was included in S. Con. Res. 70, the 2009 Budget Resolution Conference Agreement that is expected to be voted on by the House and Senate by the end of this week. The language can be found in section 518 of the resolution.
Both the House and Senate versions of the 2009 Department of Defense Authorization bills include the NTEU supported military pay raises of 3.9 percent, rather than the 3.4 percent proposed by the administration. The administration proposed only a... Read more ...
Both the House and Senate versions of the 2009 Department of Defense Authorization bills include the NTEU supported military pay raises of 3.9 percent, rather than the 3.4 percent proposed by the administration. The administration proposed only a... Read more ...
05/09/2008
5/9/08: In March of this year, NTEU wrote to GSA Administrator Lurita Doan, asking that she make the mileage reimbursement rates federal employees receive for government use of their privately owned automobile retroactive to the first of the year. Review her response by clicking here, Doan Response.
Each fall the Internal Revenue Service (as a matter of tax policy, not as an employer) makes a survey of fuel and other costs to determine the maximum tax-exempt mileage reimbursement employers may offer employees. This new rate takes effect the first of the year. After the first of the year, GSA... Read more ...
Each fall the Internal Revenue Service (as a matter of tax policy, not as an employer) makes a survey of fuel and other costs to determine the maximum tax-exempt mileage reimbursement employers may offer employees. This new rate takes effect the first of the year. After the first of the year, GSA... Read more ...
05/08/2008
5/7/08: On May 7, 2008, the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel of the Armed Services Committee voted out its portion of the Department of Defense authorization bill (H.R. 5658) with a provision that provides a 3.9 percent pay raise for the military.
The measure will be considered by the full House Armed Services Committee on May 14, 2008. The subcommittee’s action follows the Senate Armed Services Committee’s reported bill last week with an identical raise. NTEU has worked hard to achieve this pay raise recommendation on both sides of Congress. It is in the interest of pay parity and... Read more ...
The measure will be considered by the full House Armed Services Committee on May 14, 2008. The subcommittee’s action follows the Senate Armed Services Committee’s reported bill last week with an identical raise. NTEU has worked hard to achieve this pay raise recommendation on both sides of Congress. It is in the interest of pay parity and... Read more ...
05/01/2008
5/1/08: NTEU is offering a Special BJ's Wholesale Club benefit for union members for a limited time. BJ’s is a wholesale club that offers discounted prices on over 6,500 different products and services. Members must sign up for this benefit by May 23, 2008.
The new BJ’s Wholesale Club/NTEU member only benefit is as follows:
$10 off the annual Membership Fee (for new members or renewals); the fee is normally $45 for Inner Circle® memberships;
15-month membership (an three extra months at no cost);
2nd membership card free for a household member (additional cards are usually $20 each); and
BJ’s... Read more ...
The new BJ’s Wholesale Club/NTEU member only benefit is as follows:
$10 off the annual Membership Fee (for new members or renewals); the fee is normally $45 for Inner Circle® memberships;
15-month membership (an three extra months at no cost);
2nd membership card free for a household member (additional cards are usually $20 each); and
BJ’s... Read more ...