Article 43 of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement contains the details regarding the new Leave Sharing Program that NTEU recently negotiated for SEC employees.
Participating employees will donate a small amount of annual leave each year, and that leave will be available to assist participants who need additional leave to deal with a medical emergency faced by them or a family member. The Open Season for participating in this new program will occur during October of each year.
This month, Chapter 293 and the SEC are required to designate the members of a new Leave Bank Board, comprised of... Read more ...
Union News Archive
01/18/2008
This month Chapter 293 Works interviewed Azam Riaz, who is a Chapter 293 steward working in the New York Regional Office.
Azam began his career at the SEC after receiving his MBA from Farleigh Dickinson University seven years ago. He started as a compliance examiner and is now a staff accountant. His job includes conducting and participating in examinations of investment advisors, investment companies and hedge funds.
Azam enjoys the wide variety of work experiences afforded by the examination program at the agency. “My job never gets monotonous, there is always something different arising in... Read more ...
Azam began his career at the SEC after receiving his MBA from Farleigh Dickinson University seven years ago. He started as a compliance examiner and is now a staff accountant. His job includes conducting and participating in examinations of investment advisors, investment companies and hedge funds.
Azam enjoys the wide variety of work experiences afforded by the examination program at the agency. “My job never gets monotonous, there is always something different arising in... Read more ...
01/18/2008
The 2008 Legislative Conference will be held Monday, March 3, 2008 through Thursday, March 6, 2008, at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel at 480 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W., in Washington, DC. Attendees of past NTEU legislative conferences have felt that the value of the annual three-day event is the avenues of access that open for them on Capitol Hill. In face-to-face meetings with their representatives, senators and respective staff, NTEU members are afforded an opportunity to weigh in on the legislative process and educate lawmakers on issues important to federal employees and the American public.
NTEU... Read more ...
NTEU... Read more ...
Omnibus Spending Provision Enacted with 3.5% Pay Raise and Other Important Provisions Sought by NTEU
01/18/2008
In an important victory for federal employees, on December 26, 2007, President Bush signed an omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal 2008 that contains the 3.5% federal employee pay raise that NTEU has been advocating for on Capitol Hill for many months. In addition to the higher pay raise, the new legislation also contains several other NTEU-supported provisions, including improved rights for federal employees in contracting out competitions, an enhanced retirement benefit for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and a prohibition on a plan to reorganize and downsize Food and Drug... Read more ...
01/18/2008
The SEC and Chapter 293 have reached an agreement regarding the agency’s plans to reorganize employees in Station Place One and Two this year. The agreement also will provide a new rule for filling offices that become vacant after the reorganization.
The reorganization will involve the relocation of a large number of employees in an effort to better organize various Divisions and Offices. Under the agreement, employees who are relocated will select their new offices within their Assistant Director work unit based upon their seniority within the work unit. In December, NTEU members voted to... Read more ...
The reorganization will involve the relocation of a large number of employees in an effort to better organize various Divisions and Offices. Under the agreement, employees who are relocated will select their new offices within their Assistant Director work unit based upon their seniority within the work unit. In December, NTEU members voted to... Read more ...
01/18/2008
In late November, SEC Chairman Chris Cox and NTEU National President Colleen Kelley signed the SEC’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement with NTEU. The new contract, which contains a number of key improvements, became effective as of November 27, 2007. Copies of the CBA are currently being distributed to all employees at the agency – ask your administrative contact if you have not yet received your copy. The contract also may be reviewed on the Resources page of Chapter 293's website, www.secunion.org.
Most of the terms of the new CBA are now in effect. However, two important new provisions... Read more ...
Most of the terms of the new CBA are now in effect. However, two important new provisions... Read more ...
01/18/2008
Chapter 293 Regional Chief Steward Marshall Gandy, a Trial Attorney in the Fort Worth Regional Office, recently resigned from the SEC. Marshall has accepted a position with the Dallas District Office of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Created in 2007 through the consolidation of NASD and the regulation, enforcement and arbitration functions of the NYSE, FINRA is the largest non-governmental regulator for all securities firms doing business in the U.S.
Before joining the Commission in 1999, Marshall served as a Dallas County criminal court judge for ten years and was... Read more ...
Before joining the Commission in 1999, Marshall served as a Dallas County criminal court judge for ten years and was... Read more ...
01/18/2008
On January 17, 2008, NTEU entered into an agreement with the SEC resolving a national grievance regarding the Student Loan Repayment Program filed by the union a year ago. The grievance challenged the SEC’s decision to make unilateral changes to this popular program without first negotiating with the union.
The terms of the Student Loan Repayment Program negotiated by NTEU are set forth in Article 25 of the CBA. The SEC may make payments to help eligible employees repay their student loans, up to $10,000 per calendar year, and up to a total amount of $60,000. Eligible loans include Federal... Read more ...
The terms of the Student Loan Repayment Program negotiated by NTEU are set forth in Article 25 of the CBA. The SEC may make payments to help eligible employees repay their student loans, up to $10,000 per calendar year, and up to a total amount of $60,000. Eligible loans include Federal... Read more ...
01/17/2008
1/17/08: NTEU's 2008 Legislative Conference will be held Monday, March 3, 2008 through Thursday, March 6, 2008, at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel at 480 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W., in Washington, DC.
Attendees of past NTEU legislative conferences have felt that the value of the annual three-day event is the avenues of access that open for them on Capitol Hill. In face-to-face meetings with their congressional representatives, senators and respective staff, NTEU members are afforded an opportunity to weigh in on the legislative process and educate lawmakers on issues important to federal employees and the... Read more ...
Attendees of past NTEU legislative conferences have felt that the value of the annual three-day event is the avenues of access that open for them on Capitol Hill. In face-to-face meetings with their congressional representatives, senators and respective staff, NTEU members are afforded an opportunity to weigh in on the legislative process and educate lawmakers on issues important to federal employees and the... Read more ...
01/07/2008
1/7/08: On Friday, President Bush signed an executive order implementing the federal employee pay raise for 2008 that was included in the omnibus spending bill for FY 2008.
The executive order specifies how the average 3.5% pay raise will be divided between base and locality pay. Under the executive order, 2.5 percent of the increase will be distributed through base pay, and 1 percent through locality pay.
The SEC has not yet issued updated pay tables for SEC employees. However, updated pay tables for GS Schedule federal employees (which do not includee SEC employees) may be viewed on OPM's... Read more ...
The executive order specifies how the average 3.5% pay raise will be divided between base and locality pay. Under the executive order, 2.5 percent of the increase will be distributed through base pay, and 1 percent through locality pay.
The SEC has not yet issued updated pay tables for SEC employees. However, updated pay tables for GS Schedule federal employees (which do not includee SEC employees) may be viewed on OPM's... Read more ...
12/28/2007
12/28/07: In a number of important ways, the president’s signature this week on the fiscal 2008 omnibus appropriations bill represents a major victory for federal workers and the federal government’s ability to attract and retain talented, experienced workers, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley recently noted.
The president signed the legislation, said President Kelley, despite previous administration objections to several key provisions including a higher federal pay raise, improved rights for federal employees in contracting out competitions, an enhanced retirement benefit for Customs... Read more ...
The president signed the legislation, said President Kelley, despite previous administration objections to several key provisions including a higher federal pay raise, improved rights for federal employees in contracting out competitions, an enhanced retirement benefit for Customs... Read more ...
12/19/2007
12/19/07: With final House action pending that will send the fiscal 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill to the White House for the president’s signature, NTEU will secure major legislative goals, including a 3.5 percent pay raise for federal civilian employees and government-wide restrictions that will result in a more level playing field for federal workers in the battle for federal work.
“This important measure will assure continuity of government operations and contain a number of provisions impacting federal workers in positive ways,” said NTEU National President Colleen Kelley.
NTEU led the... Read more ...
“This important measure will assure continuity of government operations and contain a number of provisions impacting federal workers in positive ways,” said NTEU National President Colleen Kelley.
NTEU led the... Read more ...
12/19/2007
12/19/07: A federal panel has ordered the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to allow legal instrument examiners to telework, a move the agency has been resisting. The decision from the Federal Service Impasses Panel (FSIP) came at the request of NTEU, which has negotiated a telework program that covers other ATF employees.
“Now that this case has been decided favorably,” said NTEU National President Colleen Kelley, “I am hopeful that ATF will work with NTEU on strategies to make telework succeed for all employees, rather than focusing on ways to prevent employees from... Read more ...
“Now that this case has been decided favorably,” said NTEU National President Colleen Kelley, “I am hopeful that ATF will work with NTEU on strategies to make telework succeed for all employees, rather than focusing on ways to prevent employees from... Read more ...
12/19/2007
12/18/07: While applauding Senate approval of S. 274 — whistleblower rights legislation — NTEU National President Colleen Kelley today called on House and Senate members to agree on a final measure incorporating the more expansive protective provisions for whistleblowers contained in House-passed legislation earlier this year. “I am very pleased by Senate approval of a measure on this vital subject,” she said.
S. 274 would close what President Kelley has described as “a very dangerous loophole” created when the Supreme Court ruled that public employees have no First Amendment protections when... Read more ...
S. 274 would close what President Kelley has described as “a very dangerous loophole” created when the Supreme Court ruled that public employees have no First Amendment protections when... Read more ...
12/17/2007
12/17/07: Early this morning the details of the comprehensive omnibus appropriations package for fiscal year 2008 became available. Included in the omnibus bill is the 3.5 percent federal employee pay raise and language to reform the A-76 contracting out process. The package will be considered as part of H.R. 2764, as early as tomorrow in the House of Representatives.
NTEU fought from the beginning of the budget process for a federal employee pay raise of 3.5 percent. This is an increase of one half percent over the administration’s proposal to limit the raise to an unacceptably low level of... Read more ...
NTEU fought from the beginning of the budget process for a federal employee pay raise of 3.5 percent. This is an increase of one half percent over the administration’s proposal to limit the raise to an unacceptably low level of... Read more ...
12/17/2007
12/17/07: A continuing resolution, funding critical government programs and services, without interruption, through Friday, Dec. 21, was approved by Congress and signed by the President Friday.
Congressional leaders plan to wrap the eleven outstanding funding bills into an omnibus package this week.
NTEU is optimistic that any fiscal 2008 omnibus bill will include a bipartisan-supported 3.5 percent pay increase. NTEU also is closely monitoring proposed legislation to ensure adequate agency funding.
Throughout the appropriations process, NTEU will keep you updated on our efforts.
Congressional leaders plan to wrap the eleven outstanding funding bills into an omnibus package this week.
NTEU is optimistic that any fiscal 2008 omnibus bill will include a bipartisan-supported 3.5 percent pay increase. NTEU also is closely monitoring proposed legislation to ensure adequate agency funding.
Throughout the appropriations process, NTEU will keep you updated on our efforts.
12/14/2007
12/14/07: As you know, most agencies of the federal government have been running on a Continuing Resolution (CR) since September 30, 2007, the end of the fiscal year. Last night Congress passed another CR to extend agency funding through December 21, 2007. This legislation has now been sent to the President for his signature. If the President signs the CR into law before the end of the week, there will be no government shutdown before December 21st.
Since 1995 when, under House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Congress failed to pass measures funding the government and many agencies shut down, NTEU... Read more ...
Since 1995 when, under House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Congress failed to pass measures funding the government and many agencies shut down, NTEU... Read more ...
12/12/2007
12/13/07: With low turnout, Chapter 293 members selected grade and then SEC service for the seniority rule at HQ. The vote count on the HQ office selection seniority rule was as follows:
Option 1, Grade, then Federal Service - 33
Option 2, Grade, then Step, then Federal Service - 25
Option 3, Grade, then SEC Service - 48
Option 4, Grade, then Step, then SEC Service - 46
Chapter 293 will keep you updated regarding the relocations in coming weeks.
Option 1, Grade, then Federal Service - 33
Option 2, Grade, then Step, then Federal Service - 25
Option 3, Grade, then SEC Service - 48
Option 4, Grade, then Step, then SEC Service - 46
Chapter 293 will keep you updated regarding the relocations in coming weeks.
12/06/2007
12/6/07: President Bush has issued the following executive order:
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. All executive branch departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty on Monday, December 24, 2007, the day before Christmas Day, except as provided in section 2 below.
Sec. 2. The heads of executive branch departments and agencies may determine that certain offices and installations of their organizations, or parts... Read more ...
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. All executive branch departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty on Monday, December 24, 2007, the day before Christmas Day, except as provided in section 2 below.
Sec. 2. The heads of executive branch departments and agencies may determine that certain offices and installations of their organizations, or parts... Read more ...
12/05/2007
12/5/07: The ongoing Federal Benefits Open Season for health care coverage and other benefits will run through next Monday, December 10, 2007. SEC employees interested in making changes to their coverage should do so as soon as possible to avoid the last minute crunch. During last year’s open season, many NTEU members could not easily get through to OPM’s site to enroll in the new dental and vision program and, after NTEU intervened, OPM did accommodate those new enrollees. Nevertheless, it was very unnerving for thousands of federal employees.
This year’s Federal Benefits Open Season covers... Read more ...
This year’s Federal Benefits Open Season covers... Read more ...
11/29/2007
11/29/07: The alternative pay plan issued by the White House this week calling for an average 3 percent federal pay raise for federal civilian employees in 2008 is disappointing and a disservice to the talented, dedicated and experienced federal employees who serve the public every day, said NTEU National President Colleen Kelley.
President Kelley said the administration’s pay proposal ignores bipartisan congressional action that would establish a 3.5 percent federal pay increase in 2008. To date, both the full House of Representatives and the Senate Appropriations Committee have approved the... Read more ...
President Kelley said the administration’s pay proposal ignores bipartisan congressional action that would establish a 3.5 percent federal pay increase in 2008. To date, both the full House of Representatives and the Senate Appropriations Committee have approved the... Read more ...
11/27/2007
11/27/07: Nearly six years ago, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley expressed her serious concern about politically-driven appointments to a key federal panel dealing with complex federal labor-management relations who have no background in the issues.
Since that time, said Kelley, “my concerns unfortunately have been more than realized, in the face of a near 80 percent pro-management bias in issues decided by the Federal Service Impasses Panel (FSIP), a cutback in its professional staff of six to only two, and a significant lengthening in the time it takes to get a decision.”
The role of... Read more ...
Since that time, said Kelley, “my concerns unfortunately have been more than realized, in the face of a near 80 percent pro-management bias in issues decided by the Federal Service Impasses Panel (FSIP), a cutback in its professional staff of six to only two, and a significant lengthening in the time it takes to get a decision.”
The role of... Read more ...
11/14/2007
11/14/07: As you know, on September 4, Arbitrator James Harkless issued a decision on NTEU's national grievance with respect to the 2003 merit pay distributions, ruling that the SEC’s subjective pay for performance program violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as well as the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). NTEU and the SEC have now submitted briefs to the arbitrator regarding an appropriate remedy.
NTEU has requested that the arbitrator award full monetary and equitable relief to all affected employees, and also order the SEC to make appropriate modifications to its merit... Read more ...
NTEU has requested that the arbitrator award full monetary and equitable relief to all affected employees, and also order the SEC to make appropriate modifications to its merit... Read more ...
11/13/2007
11/13/07: NTEU members will again have access to Consumers' Checkbook’s Online Guide to Health Insurance Plans for Federal Employees. All NTEU members who are currently participating, or are planning to participate, in the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) plans are eligible to use this online guide.
The guide is available through NTEU’s web site, NTEU National's Website, in the “Member Benefits” section throughout Open Season (November 12 – December 10, 2007). It will remain available throughout 2008. The online guide was developed by Consumers’ Checkbook, a nonprofit organization... Read more ...
11/13/2007
11/13/07: Last week, the House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce held a hearing on telework in the federal sector. NTEU National President Colleen Kelley submitted testimony to the Subcommittee (Download It Here). In addition, NTEU member John Wilke, a teleworking employee of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, Virginia, testified via videoconference from his suburban Chicago, Illinois, home-office.
Subcommittee Chairman Danny Davis (D-IL) moved quickly after the hearing and on November 9, 2007, introduced legislation on telework that largely follows the recommendation... Read more ...
Subcommittee Chairman Danny Davis (D-IL) moved quickly after the hearing and on November 9, 2007, introduced legislation on telework that largely follows the recommendation... Read more ...