Today the agency notified employees by email that new smart card readers (EPASS readers) will be installed soon, starting with the William Jefferson Clinton West building. The email notes that "some employees may experience a problem in gaining access to work space after the transition occurs."

Obviously, not being able to get into your secure office space can make you late, and that can upset your manager. If your manager comes down on you for being late when your badge fails to work, please immediately contact one of the union officers, below:

• Diane Lynne, President:  lynne.diane@epa.gov or 202-566-2786.
• Amer Al-Mudallal, Executive Vice-President:   al-mudallal.amer@epa.gov or 202.566.2789.
• Joe Edgell, Senior Vice-President:  edgell.joe@epa.gov or 202.564.5514.
• Sean Carter, Chief Steward:  carter.sean@epa.gov or 202.566-2784.

We'll talk with your manager and encourage them to redirect their frustration away from you. Should you be disciplined for being late, we can also fight that on your behalf. But you need to contact us immediately after it happens so we don't miss any filing deadlines, which are normally 30 days after you're notified of the discipline.

And don't forget to report problems with any of the new card readers to the Security Management Division at oarm-oa-smd-ob@epa.gov or at 202-564-1500.