NTEU has had great success in including the 3.9 percent pay raise in major legislative vehicles moving forward in both Houses of Congress. This is one of the union’s top legislative priorities for the year.
The military and civilian pay increase has historically been determined by using the Employment Cost Index (ECI), currently at 3.4 percent, plus an additional one-half percent. The 3.9 percent amount is in keeping with this precedent and moves a step forward to closing the unjust pay gaps both sectors face with comparable jobs in the private sector.
Early on, NTEU was successful in... Read more ...
Union News Archive
08/11/2008
Just before the August recess, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1108 (326 yeas – 102 nays), a bill to grant the FDA the authority to regulate tobacco products. With NTEU’s support, the bill included an Oversight Committee amendment providing credit to federal employees covered under the FERS system to count unused sick leave towards their retirement pension calculation. Under the bipartisan agreement, FERS-covered employees will receive credit for 75 percent of their unused sick leave for three years after the bill becomes law. After the three year period, 100 percent of the unused... Read more ...
08/11/2008
A Chapter meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2008, at 1:00 EST at the Headquarters LL Auditorium, videoconferenced to the Regional Offices. At the meeting, updates will be provided on topics of interest, and members will vote on a proposed amendment to the Chapter 293 Bylaws recommended by the Executive Board. Members may vote on the Bylaws amendment by delivering a ballot at the September 17, 2008 meeting to a member who has been assigned to collect ballots. For more information on the Bylaws amendment, please review the materials posted on the Chapter’s homepage, www.secunion....
08/11/2008
To dispel negative stereotypes and increase awareness of the important contributions federal employees make to the country, NTEU has launched its first-ever public service campaign including television and radio public service announcements, media relations and grassroots efforts. The campaign, entitled “Federal Employees...They Work For U.S.,” features actual federal workers talking about the work that they do to defend our homeland, protect our borders, ensure the safety of our natural resources, health, food supply, financial systems and more.
Many Americans are not aware of the depth and... Read more ...
Many Americans are not aware of the depth and... Read more ...
08/11/2008
In July, Chapter 293 President Greg Gilman visited the San Francisco Regional Office. While there, he made a luncheon presentation updating the members about a number of issues. He also met with chapter leaders, employees and senior managers to discuss pending issues and matters. Thanks to SFRO members Cate Whiting, Adrienne Miller, Jeff Lyttle and Kian Tabrizi for organizing this event.
08/11/2008
The SEC’s original budget proposal for FY 2009 included only a 1.5% increase for its merit pay budget. However, NTEU’s lobbying efforts this summer to increase that merit pay budget have been paying dividends.
The Senate Appropriations Committee recently approved FY 2009 funding of $938 million for the SEC – $25 million more than the White House proposal. Similarly, in June, the House Appropriations Committee also voted to provide $15 million in additional SEC funding for the coming fiscal year, “at least half” of which was to be used to increase the merit pay budget at the SEC. The Senate... Read more ...
The Senate Appropriations Committee recently approved FY 2009 funding of $938 million for the SEC – $25 million more than the White House proposal. Similarly, in June, the House Appropriations Committee also voted to provide $15 million in additional SEC funding for the coming fiscal year, “at least half” of which was to be used to increase the merit pay budget at the SEC. The Senate... Read more ...
08/11/2008
At the end of July, the SEC filed with the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals a Petition for Review of NTEU's recent Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) victory in the 2002 within grade increase (WIGI) case. As a result of the SEC’s decision to proceed in this fashion, this summer hundreds of the agency’s own employees will not receive the back pay to which they are entitled as a result of the SEC’s violation of federal labor law as determined by the FLRA. Instead, those employees will now be required to wait additional months for a final decision by the DC Circuit.
The SEC... Read more ...
The SEC... Read more ...
08/01/2008
8/1/08: This week, the SEC filed with the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals a Petition for Review of NTEU's recent Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) victory in the 2002 within grade increase (WIGI) case. As a result of the SEC's decision to proceed in this fashion, this summer hundreds of the agency's own employees will not receive the back pay to which they are entitled as a result of the SEC's violation of federal labor law as determined by the FLRA. Instead, those employees will now be required to wait additional months for a final decision by the DC Circuit.
The SEC... Read more ...
The SEC... Read more ...
08/01/2008
8/1/08: Last night the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1108 (326 yeas – 102 nays), a bill to grant the FDA the authority to regulate tobacco products. With NTEU’s support, the bill included an Oversight Committee amendment providing credit to federal employees covered under the FERS system to count unused sick leave towards their retirement pension calculation. Under the bipartisan agreement, FERS-covered employees will receive credit for 75 percent of their unused sick leave for three years after the bill becomes law. After the three year period, 100 percent of the unused sick leave... Read more ...
07/30/2008
7/30/08: NTEU National President Colleen Kelley today offered her strong support for a legislative proposal which would be a major step forward in fairness for a substantial number of federal workers over the manner in which unused sick leave is treated for pension purposes.
President Kelley said the provision in H.R. 1108 would permit employees covered under the newer Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to count accrued but unused sick leave toward their pensions.
“This is a very welcome and important step toward correcting some of the disparity in treatment of employees who often... Read more ...
President Kelley said the provision in H.R. 1108 would permit employees covered under the newer Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to count accrued but unused sick leave toward their pensions.
“This is a very welcome and important step toward correcting some of the disparity in treatment of employees who often... Read more ...
07/30/2008
7/30/08: With the August recess break nearly upon us, NTEU has had great success in including the 3.9 percent pay raise in major legislative vehicles moving forward in both Houses of Congress. This is one of the union's top legislative priorities for the year.
The military and civilian pay increase has historically been determined by using the Employment Cost Index (ECI), currently at 3.4 percent, plus an additional one-half percent. The 3.9 percent amount is in keeping with this precedent and moves a step forward to closing the unjust pay gaps both sectors face with comparable jobs in the... Read more ...
The military and civilian pay increase has historically been determined by using the Employment Cost Index (ECI), currently at 3.4 percent, plus an additional one-half percent. The 3.9 percent amount is in keeping with this precedent and moves a step forward to closing the unjust pay gaps both sectors face with comparable jobs in the... Read more ...
07/30/2008
7/29/08: NTEU National President Colleen Kelley this week welcomed overdue action by the General Services Administration (GSA) to raise the mileage reimbursement rate to 58.5 cents per mile for federal employees using their personal vehicles on government business. At the same time, she expressed her clear disappointment that the increase is not retroactive to July 1, as NTEU had urged, and stated that the IRS rate should be even higher. GSA raised the rate effective Aug. 1.
Earlier, the Internal Revenue Service increased the rate allowable as a business deduction for business travel to 58.5... Read more ...
Earlier, the Internal Revenue Service increased the rate allowable as a business deduction for business travel to 58.5... Read more ...
07/30/2008
Notice of Chapter Meeting
The Chapter meeting previously scheduled for August 6, 2008, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, September 17, 2008, at 1:00 EST at the Headquarters LL Auditorium, videoconferenced to the Regional Offices. At the meeting, updates will be provided on topics of interest, and members will vote on a proposed amendment to the Chapter 293 Bylaws recommended by the Executive Board which is described below. Members at each office may vote on the Bylaws amendment by delivering a ballot at the September 17, 2008 meeting to a member who has been assigned to collect ballots. You... Read more ...
The Chapter meeting previously scheduled for August 6, 2008, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, September 17, 2008, at 1:00 EST at the Headquarters LL Auditorium, videoconferenced to the Regional Offices. At the meeting, updates will be provided on topics of interest, and members will vote on a proposed amendment to the Chapter 293 Bylaws recommended by the Executive Board which is described below. Members at each office may vote on the Bylaws amendment by delivering a ballot at the September 17, 2008 meeting to a member who has been assigned to collect ballots. You... Read more ...
07/28/2008
You can review the notice for the Chapter Meeting and information about the Bylaws amendment proposed by the Executive Board by clicking here: Bylaws Amendment. Ballots for the proposed Bylaws amendment will be collected at the Chapter meeting noticed for August 6, 2008 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EST. At Headquarters, the meeting will be held in the LL Auditorium, and ballots will be collected at there. In the Regional offices, the meeting will be videocast, and ballots will be collected by a designated member at the videocast. If you will not be able to attend the meeting, you may obtain and... Read more ...
07/15/2008
7/15/08: NTEU received a letter from Linda Springer, Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), notifying the union that OPM will be administering the Federal Human Capital Survey (FHCS) to employees in the federal workforce. The tentative administration date is August 11–September 12.
Participants in the survey include 450,000 full-time, permanent employees from the President’s Management Agenda agencies and approximately 60 small/independent agencies. This will be the fourth time OPM has administered the biannual survey.
The survey is intended to measure employees’ perceptions... Read more ...
Participants in the survey include 450,000 full-time, permanent employees from the President’s Management Agenda agencies and approximately 60 small/independent agencies. This will be the fourth time OPM has administered the biannual survey.
The survey is intended to measure employees’ perceptions... Read more ...
07/14/2008
There will be a meeting of the membership of NTEU Chapter 293 on Wednesday, August 6, 2008, at 1:00 PM EST. At the meeting, updates will be provided on topics of interest, and members will vote on a proposed amendment to the Chapter 293 Bylaws recommended by the Executive Board. The meeting will be held in the Headquarters LL Auditorium, and will be telecast to the Regional Offices (please consult with a steward in your Regional Office to find out where the meeting will be held in your office). For more information on the Bylaws amendment recommended by the Executive Board, please click here... Read more ...
07/11/2008
7/10/08: The Senate Appropriations Committee today approved a fiscal 2009 funding bill that would provide federal civilian employees with a 3.9 percent pay raise — a full percentage point higher than that proposed by the White House, and an amount in step with a 2009 military pay raise moving through Congress. The committee also approved fiscal 2009 funding of $938 million for the Securities and Exchange Commission -- $25 million more than the White House proposal.
Last month, in approving its version of the Financial Services bill, the House Appropriations Committee also voted to approve a 3... Read more ...
Last month, in approving its version of the Financial Services bill, the House Appropriations Committee also voted to approve a 3... Read more ...
07/09/2008
7/8/08: Today’s approval by a key Senate subcommittee of a 3.9 percent pay raise in 2009 for federal civilian employees is another welcome step forward in securing a fair and reasonable increase that also will aid federal agency recruitment and retention efforts. This action by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government is a reflection of the understanding of its members of the continuing contributions to our nation of the federal workforce.
The 3.9 percent increase matches action recently taken by the House Appropriations Committee, which last month... Read more ...
The 3.9 percent increase matches action recently taken by the House Appropriations Committee, which last month... Read more ...
07/01/2008
7/1/08: Last Thursday, just before the Congress adjourned for its Independence Day Recess, it passed important legislation that might help some federal employees avoid the current high gas prices while also promoting environmental stewardship.
The Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act was considered on the floor of the House. Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Tom Davis (R-VA) offered an amendment to increase the maximum reimbursement given to federal employees who use mass transit for commuting purposes from $115 to $220/month. The legislation also mandates that agencies offer... Read more ...
The Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act was considered on the floor of the House. Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Tom Davis (R-VA) offered an amendment to increase the maximum reimbursement given to federal employees who use mass transit for commuting purposes from $115 to $220/month. The legislation also mandates that agencies offer... Read more ...
06/26/2008
6/26/08: Yesterday afternoon, the House Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2009 Financial Services and General Government spending bill. In addition to several important NTEU-supported provisions on the GS pay raise and contracting out of federal jobs, the committee recommended an appropriation of $15 million over the President’s request for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The committee has also specifically instructed the SEC to allocate at least half of this $15 million increase to augment funds budgeted for merit pay under the agency’s negotiated performance-based pay... Read more ...
06/26/2008
June 2008: Last month, Chapter 293 presented Chapter Leadership awards to a number of NTEU union stewards and Executive Board representatives, recognizing their leadership in reaching majority union membership at their SEC offices across the country.
"These chapter leaders should be lauded for their service to their fellow employees at the SEC," Chapter 293 President Greg Gilman recently stated. "That service has been recognized and supported by the employees in their offices, and they are the reason that Chapter 293 has been at the forefront of membership growth in the National Treasury... Read more ...
"These chapter leaders should be lauded for their service to their fellow employees at the SEC," Chapter 293 President Greg Gilman recently stated. "That service has been recognized and supported by the employees in their offices, and they are the reason that Chapter 293 has been at the forefront of membership growth in the National Treasury... Read more ...
06/26/2008
6/26/08: The House Appropriations Committee yesterday provided strong support for an NTEU-backed 3.9 percent pay raise for federal civilian employees next year in its markup of the fiscal 2009 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. This would match the 2009 raise for members of the military moving through Congress and continue the long tradition of military-civilian pay parity.
NTEU National President Colleen Kelley applauded the committee decision, calling it “a wise investment in providing high-quality government services to taxpayers.” The White House earlier this... Read more ...
NTEU National President Colleen Kelley applauded the committee decision, calling it “a wise investment in providing high-quality government services to taxpayers.” The White House earlier this... Read more ...
06/26/2008
6/25/08: In light of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Doug Shulman’s recent move to raise the reimbursement rate for use of a personal vehicle for business reasons from 50.5 cents per mile to 58.5 cents per mile beginning July 1 through the end of the year, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley has called on the acting head of the General Service Administration (GSA) to make the same rate adjustment for federal employees.
In a letter to GSA Acting Administrator David L. Bibb — who has the policy authority to make a mid-year mileage rate adjustment, which would impact federal... Read more ...
In a letter to GSA Acting Administrator David L. Bibb — who has the policy authority to make a mid-year mileage rate adjustment, which would impact federal... Read more ...
06/26/2008
New BJ's Enrollment Period Extended to November 30! Last year, we announced that NTEU and BJ’s Wholesale Club reestablished a relationship to offer a discount on BJ’s annual memberships. BJ’s is a discount wholesale club that offers discounted prices on over 6,500 different products and services. The union had an overwhelming response from our members to this benefit. Therefore, NTEU is announcing that the next enrollment period for our members from April 1 to April 30. Click here, BJ's Benefit, for more information.
06/23/2008
6/23/08: Late last week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation to provide federal employees with four weeks of paid parental leave. The bill, introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and strongly supported by NTEU, would convert to paid leave four of the 12 weeks of unpaid leave currently available to federal employees under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The vote was 278 to 146.
In response to the House vote, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley said, “The House passage of H.R. 5781 is a big step toward making a marked difference in the lives of federal... Read more ...
In response to the House vote, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley said, “The House passage of H.R. 5781 is a big step toward making a marked difference in the lives of federal... Read more ...