We frequently get reports of supervisors saying some fairly outrageous things to their employees in closed-door meetings. But when challenged on these problematic statements, the supervisors deny they said them -- they lie. And they lie because they know they are behaving unprofessionally or illegally and should not be. So members frequently ask whether they can record those problematic conversations....
Read MoreGreenwire Covers NTEU Chapter 280 Concerns on EVS
We noted in our blog this week that at least one EPA supervisor illegally pressured his employees to give favorable ratings on the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey. Our story was picked up by Greenwire this week in a story of theirs, Wednesday.
We want to again urge EPA headquarters employees who have been directed to give favorable ratings, or who have been threatened if they didn't complete the survey, to contact one of our NTEU Chapter 280 officers or stewards.
Pressure on Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey
We've heard that some people are being told by management to give favorable ratings in this year's Employee Viewpoint Survey. While NTEU Chapter 280 encourages you to fill out the survey, no one should be pressuring you about how to fill out the survey. Additionally, if you do not want to fill it out, you do not have to. It is completely voluntary and no manager should be telling you otherwise.
If your manager asks you whether you completed the survey, or asks you what you said on the survey, respectfully decline to answer. Please also immediately contact NTEU Chapter 280 and let us know that you're receiving inappropriate pressure ...
Read MoreWorkplace Flexibilities & Metro SafeTrack Work
NTEU Chapter 280 is discussing enhanced flexibility with EPA to relieve bargaining unit employees of the some of the pains associated with Metro's SafeTrack repair plans. Honestly, our discussions have been difficult. There are a number of flexibilities that are used throughout the federal government that are being opposed by EPA management. In fact, some of the flexibilities are actually in use in other EPA regions. Despite this, EPA HQ management refuses to grant those same flexibilities to HQ scientists, attorneys, and other professionals....
Read MoreRemembering Those Who Died
Memorial Day. A time for barbecues, friends, time at the beach. But it really does mean more. As we approach the holiday, it's good to reflect on the holiday's meaning and roots as you munch down on that hotdog.
According to Wikipedia, "Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces. The holiday ... originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868, when the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans founded in Decatur, Illinois, established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. By the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holiday traditions, celebrated on different days, had merged, and Memorial Day eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service."
While America is certainly not perfect, as we look around at religious wars in the middle east, repressive governments all over the globe, and bleak economics in many countries, America looks like a pretty good place to live. Remember that America didn't come for free. It was infused with the blood of many American soldiers who fought for the principles and ideals this country stands for. While we may not always live up to our ideals, at least we have them. Take time out of your picnics and holiday vacations to reflect on those who died fighting for what we have.
Download NTEU's Memorial Day flier here, and post it in your cubicle or office.
National's e-Bulletin & Paid Parental Leave
Today NTEU's national office sent out it's weekly e-Bulletin, noting NTEU's support of paid parental leave. The article mentions that "studies have shown that employers offering paid parental leave see reduced turnover, increased productivity, better morale and reduced absenteeism" and that "the United States remains one of only two industrialized nations without paid parental leave."
To get access to the e-Bulletin with tons of useful information, visit our Join page and download and sign either the SF1187 or the cash dues form and become a member today!
Read MoreIt’s Tax Time! Remember: Union Membership Dues May Be Deductible!
Do you itemize? If so, your union dues are expenses that you can claim as miscellaneous itemized deductions. These are entered as unreimbursed employee expenses on Line 21 on Schedule A (Form 1040). Here are the rules....
Read MoreNTEU Legislative Conference a Success
NTEU National closed its annual Legislative Conference today in Washington, DC with rousing lunch speeches from Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth and NTEU President Tony Reardon. Devoted to educating Congress about federal employee issues, the conference is a combination of training sessions for NTEU members and discussions with Senators and Representatives about issues important to us....
Read MoreNTEU Protecting Federal Retirement
The FERS retirement system is fully funded and financially sound with no unfunded liability. Today, FERS is frequently pointed to as a model by a diverse group of pension experts for its three-legged stool structure (defined benefit, defined contribution, and Social Security), and by workforce experts for meeting workers’ job portability needs. Federal employees contribute a portion of their pay toward their retirement to achieve an average FERS pension of approximately $1500 per month, a modest retirement income.
But since 2010, Congress has used the federal retirement program to help close the federal deficit, essentially cutting the take-home pay of new employees. Federal employees have contributed $21 billion to deficit reduction through increased retirement contributions.....
Read MorePresident's FY '17 Budget Includes Increase for EPA
Recently the administration released its budget proposal for fiscal year (FY) 2017. For the NTEU-represented Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the proposed funding level is $8.267 billion. This is an increase of $128 million over FY 2016.....
Read MoreFederal Employee Items in FY '17 Budget Request
President Obama’s budget recommendation for fiscal year (FY) 2017, which was formally released recently, includes an average 1.6% pay raise for both federal civilian and military personnel. The proposed 1.6% pay adjustment for General Schedule federal employees would be effective January 2017......
Read MoreAnti-Harassment Policy & Your Rights
On January 6, 2016, you received an email from the administrator outlining the Agency’s response to allegations of bullying or harassment reported at EPA. The policy can be found on the Intranet. A part of the process is “Fact Finding” where employees are interviewed to furnish evidence to support or negate the allegations of bullying or harassment. If you are contacted for such an interview, please don’t participate without Union representation. These interviews can have serious repercussions to your career!....
Read MoreWaPo Article on Union Capitol Hill Priorities
The Washington Post ran an article on Sunday covering union efforts on Capitol Hill. According to the article, NTEU and the other unions are trying to get improvements in pay for federal employees and fight back attacks on worker rights.....
Read MoreThe National Labor-Management Partnership Council
The National Labor-Management Partnership Council (Partnership Council) is an EPA organization composed of both management and union officials dedicated to the accomplishment of the Agency's missions, fostering more productive and cost effective service to the agency's customers, and improving the working conditions, career development, and morale of employees. The Partnership Council is founded on the belief that Agency employees want to be involved in decisions that affect them; that they care about their careers and are dedicated to fulfilling the missions of the agency; that they take pride in their work and contributions to protecting public health and the environment; and that they should share in the success of their efforts. The Partnership Council’s goal is that by creating an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect, open sharing of information, and recognizing and utilizing individual ideas and knowledge in innovative ways, EPA's labor unions and management can improve the agency for all employees.....
Read MoreChapter 280 Now on Facebook
If you're one of those people who hates checking websites, but loves checking Facebook pages, NTEU Chapter 280 is now live on Facebook at this page.
Members will still receive our Members-Only emails of information not posted to the website, and the website will remain our primary communications tool for general information. But now you'll have another way to access much of the information posted here.
And don't forget to check out our Twitter feed as well!
Read MoreWaiver of Telework Waiting Period for Certain Employees
The new NTEU telework article in our collective bargaining agreement reduces the time that new employees must wait to telework from one year (old agreement) to between 3-6 months (Article 54, Section 8), as determined by your manager. A new policy waiver allows managers to forego the waiting period altogether for episodic telework in certain situations.....
Read MoreTelework & EPA Closures: Do I have to telework?
As you may have noticed, the rules regarding telework (used to be called "flexiplace") and snow days changed with the most recent collective bargaining agreement (CBA). When the government closes due to weather, terrorism, or other calamitous event, it's important to know the rules on whether or not you need to telework. In order to better understand the new rules, we’ve put together this question and answer document.
Read MoreHitler Learns that OPM Won't Close the Government for Snow Storm
If you're sensitive to strong language, do not watch this.
Weekly Blog Summary Coming to Your Mailbox Each Friday
For those of you who may not visit the website and read the Chapter 280 blog regularly, we're starting a weekly summary email to members using our email partner, Mailchimp.
Read MoreSnow's a Comin'
For those of you who may have been living under a rock today, I thought I’d send this short storm update.
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