Gittens, Panahi and Whiting Receive Awards from Union

04/15/2014

4/16/14: Last week, the union awarded three SEC Headquarters Enforcement stewards awards for their exemplary work. Drew Panahi and Cate Whiting received the Excellence in Crisis Management Award and Noel Gittens received the Excellence in Representation Award.

Drew and Cate were honored for their successful work in two crisis situations, both of which involved management's efforts to remove employees, purportedly for "AWOL." Noel received his award for representing employees in a number of difficult cases, including a matter in which he was able to obtain thousands of dollars of backpay for an employee, with interest, going back over a decade.

The awards ceremony took place during the National Treasury Employees Union's National Steward Training Conference. Dozens of SEC stewards, along with stewards from many other federal agencies, attended the conference, where they received training on a wide range of issues, including the new CBA, compensation matters, performance management, representation of employees, litigation updates, etc.

"To receive these awards is an honor and the employees in Enforcement should be very proud to have among them such talented individuals who have volunteered countless hours to make a positive contribution to their fellow employees," Chapter 293 President Greg Gilman said this morning. "I know that I am very proud of my association and work with Drew, Noel and Cate. And it is important for you to know that they all have your back. They are extremely giving and compassionate people who deserve to be recognized for their tireless efforts for their fellow employees."