8/24/11: During NTEU's biannual National Convention in Seattle two weeks ago, Chapter 293 President Greg Gilman accepted the Robert M. Tobias Award, which was awarded in recognition of his innovation in representation and implementation of partnership and employee involvement as a Union leader. The Tobias Award states "Your leadership is a tribute to our Union and exemplifies the distinguished NTEU career of the man in whose name this award is given.”   

The Tobias Award is given in honor of long-time NTEU President Robert Tobias, who preceded Colleen Kelley in that office and served with distinction until 1999. It is awarded every two years to recognize achievements that reflect Mr. Tobias' strong belief that skilled, knowledgeable and dedicated frontline federal employees are in the best position to know what will advance agency missions. Tobias believed that Union leaders should work to ensure that employees' voices are heard by management in meaningful ways, especially through partnership efforts. 

When presenting the award, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley cited Gilman's years of dedicated service to SEC employees, noting that he took a very difficult situation involving a poor labor relations climate and built a much more constructive labor-management relationship with a robust partnership component -- all in a nationwide unit representing employees in 12 locations. She also noted that, when collaboration did not work, Gilman was more than willing to use litigation to make it clear to management that it is better to solve the problem before it gets to that point.

Gilman was lauded for working diligently and successfully to reach out to many constituencies at the SEC, adding hundreds of new members to strengthen the Union, expanding Chapter 293’s steward network in both numbers and specialties, and building a superior communications network to keep his members updated and involved. 

At the Convention, Gilman also received the Second Place Award for Overall Excellence in Chapter Communications, recognizing outstanding achievement in communications among the hundreds of NTEU chapters, including how well the chapter utilizes various forms of media to reach its audience, the effectiveness of its message, communication results, writing and design. In addition, he accepted an award on behalf of Chapter 293 for the Most New Union Members Recruited in Large Chapters Representing More Than 1,000 Employees.

“I was very happy to accept these awards on behalf of Chapter 293, because they clearly reflect the ongoing excellent work of our many stewards and chapter leaders across the country,” Gilman remarked last week. “We have put together a great team with whom I am honored and proud to work every day.”