10/14/09: Many federal employees and retirees enrolled in the government’s long-term care insurance program were stunned to learn of substantial increases in premiums scheduled in January, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley today told congressional members, particularly since many enrollees believed they had purchased plans which guaranteed no premium increases.
"Those who purchased policies," President Kelley said, “made smart decisions to plan ahead for their long-term care needs. Those who paid more for policies with the Automatic Compound Inflation (ACI) protection option were told... Read more ...
Union News Archive
10/08/2009
10/8/09: The Defense Authorization conference report released yesterday retains several important NTEU-sought provisions that will benefit federal employees and retirees, including language allowing workers under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to get credit for unused sick leave.
NTEU led a lengthy fight to build congressional support for this provision permitting FERS employees to count sick leave toward their retirement calculation, a right employees under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) already have. It will be phased in over four years with a 50 percent credit... Read more ...
NTEU led a lengthy fight to build congressional support for this provision permitting FERS employees to count sick leave toward their retirement calculation, a right employees under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) already have. It will be phased in over four years with a 50 percent credit... Read more ...
10/07/2009
10/7/09: The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) announced this week that it has launched a new and improved web site at www.flra.gov to provide greater access to an array of agency information and resources. "The modernized FLRA web site has a fresh new look and feel that provides easier and quicker access to agency information," said FLRA Chairman Carol Waller Pope. "The improvements to the FLRA’s web site are yet another step in our efforts to better serve our customers and to provide current, useful and complete information to federal employees, the unions that represent them, and... Read more ...
10/06/2009
10/6/09: In a report issued last week, the agency charged with guarding the federal workforce merit principles found that federal agencies have all the tools necessary to deal with performance issues in the federal government, however, the biggest barrier to effective performance management remains poorly-trained supervisors.
NTEU National President Colleen Kelley today called for significant improvements in the training of federal supervisors in managing the performance of their employees.
In the report, the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) recommended that the best way to deal with sub... Read more ...
NTEU National President Colleen Kelley today called for significant improvements in the training of federal supervisors in managing the performance of their employees.
In the report, the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) recommended that the best way to deal with sub... Read more ...
10/05/2009
10/6/09: Four members of the House of Representatives are seeking the support of their colleagues to advance an issue that continues to be an important goal of NTEU—extending the age for health care coverage for dependent children under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP).
The House members—Reps. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kathy Dahlkemper (D-Pa.), Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.)—are circulating a letter to be sent to the chairs of four key House committees with jurisdiction over health care legislation.
Within the context of broad health care reform, the... Read more ...
The House members—Reps. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kathy Dahlkemper (D-Pa.), Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.)—are circulating a letter to be sent to the chairs of four key House committees with jurisdiction over health care legislation.
Within the context of broad health care reform, the... Read more ...
09/29/2009
9/29/09: The nation’s largest independent union of federal employees today called for legislation that would permit the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) to lower significantly the cost of prescriptions drugs for its more than eight million enrollees. FEHBP is the largest employer-sponsored health program in the country.
NTEU said the best option is to allow the FEHBP to use the Federal Supply Schedule to purchase drugs—the so-called ‘statutory pricing’ which is permitted by law for the Veterans Administration, Defense Department, Coast Guard and Public Health Service—which... Read more ...
NTEU said the best option is to allow the FEHBP to use the Federal Supply Schedule to purchase drugs—the so-called ‘statutory pricing’ which is permitted by law for the Veterans Administration, Defense Department, Coast Guard and Public Health Service—which... Read more ...
09/29/2009
9/29/09: The average 8.8 percent increase in 2010 health care premiums for federal employees and retirees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) indicates the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) can do a better job in leveraging the weight of the largest health plan in the United States to keep costs down, said the leader of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).
“I am disappointed with the 8.8 percent average increase and the double-digit rate hike for the largest plan in the system,” said NTEU National President Colleen M. Kelley. “These increases are... Read more ...
“I am disappointed with the 8.8 percent average increase and the double-digit rate hike for the largest plan in the system,” said NTEU National President Colleen M. Kelley. “These increases are... Read more ...
09/22/2009
9/22/09: NTEU Chapter 293 and the SEC today jointly announced that scores of Corp Fin employees will receive their career ladder promotions to Grade 14 next month.
The resolution of this issue began a few weeks back, when Chapter 293 submitted an information request to the agency seeking to identify all current non-management employees at the agency who had not received a promotion to the next grade on their career ladder for more than one year. An employee’s “career ladder” is a series of positions of increasing difficulty in the same line of work through which he or she may progress from... Read more ...
The resolution of this issue began a few weeks back, when Chapter 293 submitted an information request to the agency seeking to identify all current non-management employees at the agency who had not received a promotion to the next grade on their career ladder for more than one year. An employee’s “career ladder” is a series of positions of increasing difficulty in the same line of work through which he or she may progress from... Read more ...
09/22/2009
9/22/09: The Nomination and Election Committee is pleased to announce the 2009 election results for Chapter 293's 2009-2012 term.
Firstly, we would like to thank members for voting, and for submitting nominations to the Committee. Next, we would like to thank the nominees who accepted the challenge and responsibility to lead our chapter by agreeing to be candidates. The Committee is also very grateful to the many members who volunteered to help the Committee during the election process stuffing and labeling envelopes, without whom the election could not have taken place. And finally we would... Read more ...
Firstly, we would like to thank members for voting, and for submitting nominations to the Committee. Next, we would like to thank the nominees who accepted the challenge and responsibility to lead our chapter by agreeing to be candidates. The Committee is also very grateful to the many members who volunteered to help the Committee during the election process stuffing and labeling envelopes, without whom the election could not have taken place. And finally we would... Read more ...
09/18/2009
9/18/09: On September 15, 2009, NTEU participated in a conference with OPM Director John Berry, the Centers for Disease Control, the Department of Labor, and various White House officials. The conference highlighted some of the developing policies that will guide federal agencies when dealing with outbreaks of the H1N1 virus.
Dr. James Lawler, the Director for Medical Preparedness Policy on the White House’s National Security Staff, confirmed that federal health officials have been closely monitoring the H1N1 virus. Officials focused on H1N1’s behavior in the U.S. during the recent spring and... Read more ...
Dr. James Lawler, the Director for Medical Preparedness Policy on the White House’s National Security Staff, confirmed that federal health officials have been closely monitoring the H1N1 virus. Officials focused on H1N1’s behavior in the U.S. during the recent spring and... Read more ...
09/15/2009
9/15/09: Yesterday, Chapter 293 signed a new Domestic Partner Program Memorandum of Understanding with the SEC.
Under this new agreement, the SEC will provide certain benefits to an employee's domestic partner and the domestic partner's eligible dependent children. The benefits include employee dental insurance, employee vision insurance and a new Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement benefit.
The Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement benefit is a unique one which will allow employees to recover the lesser of 85% of the actual cost for health benefits coverage for a domestic partner's self... Read more ...
Under this new agreement, the SEC will provide certain benefits to an employee's domestic partner and the domestic partner's eligible dependent children. The benefits include employee dental insurance, employee vision insurance and a new Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement benefit.
The Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement benefit is a unique one which will allow employees to recover the lesser of 85% of the actual cost for health benefits coverage for a domestic partner's self... Read more ...
09/15/2009
9/15/09: NTEU supports congressional efforts to increase consumer protections and transparency for those who purchase long-term care insurance policies, its leader said today.
NTEU national President Colleen Kelley expressed that support in a letter to Sen. Herbert Kohl (D-Wisc), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and committee member Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), sponsors of S. 1177. The legislation would provide consumers with a better understanding of the coverage and cost of their plans in the years ahead.
President Kelley cited the example of those among the 224,000 federal... Read more ...
NTEU national President Colleen Kelley expressed that support in a letter to Sen. Herbert Kohl (D-Wisc), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and committee member Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), sponsors of S. 1177. The legislation would provide consumers with a better understanding of the coverage and cost of their plans in the years ahead.
President Kelley cited the example of those among the 224,000 federal... Read more ...
09/08/2009
9/9/09: Director of Enforcement Rob Khuzami last week released details on the Division’s much anticipated, and badly needed, organizational reform. The reforms as currently outlined constitute a major step towards a more rational and efficient management structure and will move the Division closer to a key objective the Union shares with the Director – to empower frontline investigative staff. As the Director said in his recent address to the New York City Bar, a flatter management structure will “encourage autonomy and accountability throughout the organization by pushing decision-making to... Read more ...
09/08/2009
"So very much of what we are as a nation -- and what we are to achieve as a people -- depends upon the caliber and character of the federal career people. In no other endeavor can you more directly serve our country's cause -- or the values on which we stand -- than in the public service."
--President Lyndon B. Johnson
--President Lyndon B. Johnson
09/04/2009
9/4/09: On August 31, 2009, NTEU participated in a conference call with OPM director John Berry, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Center for Disease Control. HHS detailed the causes of the H1N1 virus and described the ability of the virus to spread quickly throughout a population. However, HHS did not provide specific guidelines for protecting the federal workforce from contracting the H1N1 virus.
Representatives from the Center for Disease Control indicated that the federal government has purchased a limited number of vaccinations. CDC indicated that vaccines will be... Read more ...
Representatives from the Center for Disease Control indicated that the federal government has purchased a limited number of vaccinations. CDC indicated that vaccines will be... Read more ...
09/03/2009
The deadline for submission of applications for the Upward Mobility Program has been extended to September 18, 2009.
The Upward Mobility Program at the SEC, negotiated by NTEU Chapter 293, offers training, experience, and improved job opportunities to employees whose career prospects are limited. For these employees, the Upward Mobility Program provides an avenue for advancement to positions of greater responsibility and a means of realizing their full potential. Upward Mobility benefits management officials as well by enabling them to more fully utilize the capabilities of their employees.... Read more ...
The Upward Mobility Program at the SEC, negotiated by NTEU Chapter 293, offers training, experience, and improved job opportunities to employees whose career prospects are limited. For these employees, the Upward Mobility Program provides an avenue for advancement to positions of greater responsibility and a means of realizing their full potential. Upward Mobility benefits management officials as well by enabling them to more fully utilize the capabilities of their employees.... Read more ...
09/01/2009
9/1/09: President Obama yesterday sent another letter to Congress requesting a 2% pay raise for federal employees in January. In July, the House approved a 2% raise, but the Senate has been pushing for a 2.9% raise that would provide pay parity between military and civilian raises. NTEU is strongly supporting the 2.9% raise.
The President cited the "national emergency" that has existed since 9/11/01, the "serious economic conditions" currently facing the nation, and increasing demands on the federal government.
If Congress fails to pass a federal pay raise (which is unlikely), last year’s... Read more ...
The President cited the "national emergency" that has existed since 9/11/01, the "serious economic conditions" currently facing the nation, and increasing demands on the federal government.
If Congress fails to pass a federal pay raise (which is unlikely), last year’s... Read more ...
08/31/2009
9/1/09: NTEU Chapter 293 entered into an agreement with the SEC late yesterday concerning compensation issues. Under this agreement:
-- Commencing January 1, 2010, the Commission will lift the caps upon maximum salaries for SEC grades to provide for pay scale comparability with other FIRREA agencies;
-- The SEC has committed the resources to complete the new Merit Pay system by January 2010;
-- During the transition to the new system, SEC employees will be provided a supplemental “equivalent share” pay raise of 1.125% in January 2010; and
-- SEC employees will receive an additional pay raise... Read more ...
-- Commencing January 1, 2010, the Commission will lift the caps upon maximum salaries for SEC grades to provide for pay scale comparability with other FIRREA agencies;
-- The SEC has committed the resources to complete the new Merit Pay system by January 2010;
-- During the transition to the new system, SEC employees will be provided a supplemental “equivalent share” pay raise of 1.125% in January 2010; and
-- SEC employees will receive an additional pay raise... Read more ...
08/26/2009
8/26/09: With the death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), federal employees lost not only a stalwart champion of their rights, but a man whose vision of public service inspired so many to make their own commitment to serve our country, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley said today.
Senator Kennedy and NTEU worked together on many issues over the course of his long and distinguished Senate career,” said Kelley. “He never wavered in his belief that the work of this country was vital and he innately understood that frontline federal employees are the key to our nation’s success.”
That... Read more ...
Senator Kennedy and NTEU worked together on many issues over the course of his long and distinguished Senate career,” said Kelley. “He never wavered in his belief that the work of this country was vital and he innately understood that frontline federal employees are the key to our nation’s success.”
That... Read more ...
08/20/2009
8/20/09: Last week, during NTEU's National Convention in San Francisco, Chapter 293 President Greg Gilman accepted the First Place Award for Excellence in Chapter Communications.
This award recognizes outstanding achievement in overall 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. An independent panel of communications professionals from various Washington DC associations judged the award, reviewing the various websites,... Read more ...
This award recognizes outstanding achievement in overall 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. An independent panel of communications professionals from various Washington DC associations judged the award, reviewing the various websites,... Read more ...
07/30/2009
7/30/09: This week, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley sent letters to Chairmen Carl Levin (D-MI) and Ike Skelton (D-MO), of the Senate and House Armed Services Committee who will be the lead negotiators on the Conference Committee to reconcile the differences between the two versions of the Department of Defense (DOD) Authorization bill for fiscal year 2010. She also sent identical letters to Ranking members Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Representative Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA). These letters urged retention of the House-passed provisions on unused FERS sick leave and the package of... Read more ...
07/30/2009
7/30/09: Today, the House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce marked up and sent to full committee HR 2517, the Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligations Act. This legislation, introduced by Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and cosponsored by 116 other members of the House, would extend to same-gender domestic partners many of the benefits and obligations currently available to married couples. Since this is not a matter that can be resolved in contract negotiations, NTEU is seeking legislation that would extend these important benefits to same-gender partners.
Consideration of this bill... Read more ...
Consideration of this bill... Read more ...
07/28/2009
7/28/09: The SEC informed NTEU today that it intends to utilize highly subjective and unscientific opinion surveys as the chief metric for assessing the success of the Expanded Telework Program. These surveys were created "in house" by HR employees at the SEC. NTEU has filed a national grievance to prevent the SEC from utilizing these opinion surveys, or any data derived therefrom, in this fashion. For this reason, NTEU is urging all SEC employees not to respond to SEC surveys regarding telework, as the Union has serious concerns that the data derived from such surveys may be improperly... Read more ...
07/24/2009
7/24/09: Yesterday, on July 23, 2009, the Senate passed its version of the Department of Defense Authorization Bill (S. 1390) for Fiscal Year 2010 in a vote of 87-7. The measure did not include the Akaka amendment that would have added most of the provisions NTEU reported on earlier that were included in the House DOD bill. These provisions would allow unused FERS sick leave to be counted toward the retirement calculation as is done for CSRS employees; fix the CSRS part-time anomaly so those who choose to go part-time at the end of their careers will have their pensions calculated correctly;... Read more ...
07/21/2009
7/21/09: In response to President Obama’s March instructions to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct a government-wide review of the federal contracting process, OMB solicited input from interested parties on various key outsourcing issues. NTEU welcomed this chance to put on the record the union’s strong views on the abuses resulting from the prior administration’s aggressive outsourcing agenda. NTEU also wanted to set forth clearly how "inherently governmental" and other mission-critical work should be identified and to explain why it is essential that these functions be... Read more ...