National Federation of Federal Employees : Articles http://www.nffe.org National Federation of Federal Employees Tue, 13 May 2008 16:22:36 CDT en-us Brown Testifies Before House Subcommittee on TSP http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/5731 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/5731 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:16:13 CDT Today, NFFE National President Richard N. Brown testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia. Veterans' Groups Briefed on 7422 Bill http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/5703 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/5703 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:56:14 CDT Last week, representatives from NFFE and other unions representing Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) workers briefed a number of Veterans' Service Organizations (VSOs) on HR 4089 and S 2824, legislation that would restore a meaningful scope of bargaining to Title 38 VA health care providers. The American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America were all in attendance. Senator Rockefeller Introduces Bill to Maintain Meaningful Collective Bargaining for Veterans' Affairs Nurses and Doctors http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/5669 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/5669 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:58:24 CDT Over the last several months, NFFE has been lobbying Congress to adopt a bill (HR 4089) that would restore a meaningful scope of bargaining for Title 38 workers at the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA). Just last week, Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV) introduced a companion bill in the Senate (S 2824). The bill has three original co-sponsors, Senators Sharrod Brown (D-OH), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), and Jim Webb (D-VA). Congress Looks at Impact of GPO and WEP http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/5353 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/5353 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:57:48 CST Last week in Washington, D.C. the House Ways and Means, Social Security Subcommittee held a hearing on the impact of social security provisions affecting some public employees and their families who face hardships in retirement, or in the event of disability or death. Discussed at length were the effect of the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Congress Passes Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Authorization Bill, Again http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/5354 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/5354 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:00:25 CST The Senate voted Tuesday to approve a revised defense bill authorizing 3.5 percent pay raise for troops while sidestepping a veto showdown with President Bush. This bill also contains favorable NSPS reform language as well as long-sought new rules for the Bush administration’s competitive sourcing program. NFFE Forest Service Council Yields Huge Legislative Wins http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/5351 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/5351 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:55:55 CST Years of hard work and perseverance by the NFFE Forest Service Council (FSC) have come to successful fruition for its members. When the FY 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill was signed into law last month, it stopped competitive sourcing (outsourcing) in the Forest Service in its tracks. The bill also arranged for firefighters to receive 50% reimbursement for personal liability insurance. Lobbying Begins on Bill to Maintain Meaningful Collective Bargaining for Veterans’ Affairs Nurses and Doctors http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/5178 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/5178 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:34:46 CST Last week in Washington, NFFE began lobbying efforts in support of HR 4089. This bill was recently introduced in the House, and would restore a meaningful scope of bargaining for Title 38 workers at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The current objective is to recruit additional lawmakers as cosigners to the bill. NFFE Participates in Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Parade http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/5119 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/5119 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:49:10 CST On November 10, representatives from the National Federation of Federal Employees proudly participated in the 25th Anniversary Vietnam Veterans Memorial Parade in Washington, DC. NFFE, along with a several or our sister unions, co-sponsored a labor float in the parade. NFFE Local 1998 President Appears on CNN http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4968 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4968 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 09:24:41 CDT Colin Walle, National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 1998 President, recently appeared on CNN to discuss the unprecedented volume of passport applications received by the Department of State this year, and the resulting consequences for passport adjudicators. GSA Council Victoriously Lobbies to Halt Transfer of Contract Specialists http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4963 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4963 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:59:00 CDT When the contents of the fiscal year 2008 Defense Appropriations bill were made available after the House mark up, NFFE’s GSA Council was dismayed to see $21 million set aside to move 600 GSA contract specialists to the Department of Defense (DoD) to do acquisition work for the Pentagon. NFFE NEC Meets in Washington, DC http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4924 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4924 Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:01:36 CDT Last week, NFFE’s National Executive Council (NEC) traveled to Washington for its annual board meeting. In attendance were NFFE National President Richard N. Brown, National Secretary/Treasurer Bill Dougan, First Vice President Patricia La Sala, Third Vice President Jozef Drozdowski, Fourth Vice President Kolleen McGrath, Fifth Vice President Gloria Porter, Sixth Vice President John Obst, and Seventh Vice President Debbie Ransom. NFFE Recognized for Recent Organizing Success http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4918 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4918 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:23:41 CDT The National Federation of Federal Employees was honored for its recent organizing success at this year’s IAM National Staff Conference in Orlando, FL NFFE Celebrates 90 Years of Representing Federal Employees http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4899 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4899 Mon, 17 Sep 2007 10:21:01 CDT Today, September 17, 2007, marks the ninetieth anniversary of the National Federation of Federal Employees. On this day in 1917, Florence Etheridge presented the resolution at a convention in Washington, DC to form NFFE as an affiliate of the American Federation of Labor (AFL). NFFE National President and Secretary/Treasurer Visit NFFE Local 251 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4684 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4684 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 10:26:56 CDT Last week, NFFE National President Richard N. Brown and National Secretary/Treasurer Bill Dougan made a visit to NFFE Local 251. Bill Dougan Elected NFFE National Secretary/Treasurer http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4636 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4636 Thu, 16 Aug 2007 14:51:05 CDT Today, Bill Dougan was named the new National Secretary/Treasurer of the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) after winning the overwhelming majority of votes cast by the NFFE membership. Call To Action: Ask Your Representative to Support the Inslee/Jones/Van Hollen Amendment to Strip Funding of NSPS! http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4590 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4590 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 16:08:43 CDT A vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to strip funding for DoD’s wasteful and anti-worker personnel system, NSPS, will take place later this week: Call your Representative TODAY, and ask him or her to support the Inslee/Jones/Van Hollen Amendment! Federal Minimum Wage Raises After 10-year Wait http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4562 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4562 Wed, 25 Jul 2007 12:50:49 CDT For the first time in ten years, minimum wage earners in the U.S. will get a long overdue raise. The 70-cent per hour raise ends the longest span without a federal minimum wage increase since it was enac ted in 1938. Raising the minimum wage was a top priority of the new Democratic-controlled Congress after the former GOP-controlled Congress repea tedly blocked any attempt to increase it. Families of Fallen Firefighters Receive NFFE-IAM Contribution http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4521 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4521 Mon, 16 Jul 2007 10:31:59 CDT Thanks to the generosity of NFFE-IAM members around the country, the families of the two NFFE members who died while battling a fire in the San Bernardino National Forest last October were recently presented with checks on behalf of the union. Senate Holds Hearing on Passport Backlog http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4425 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4425 Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:37:30 CDT In response to countless complaints, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing yesterday to investigate a massive backlog in the processing of passport applications House Subcommittee Supports 3.5 Percent Pay Increase for Civilian Workers in Fiscal Year 2008 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4360 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4360 Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:07:35 CDT Yesterday, a key House subcommittee voted to give federal civil service workers a 3.5 percent average raise in fiscal year 2008. This move echoes the actions made in both the House and Senate to give military personnel that same rate of increase next year. NFFE Wins Election to Represent Atlanta GSA Workers http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4317 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4317 Wed, 30 May 2007 15:38:32 CDT Months of hard work paid off this month when a majority of eligible General Services Administration (GSA) employees in Atlanta, GA voted in favor of representation by the National Federation of Federal Employees, IAMAW. Professional and non-professional employees were eligible to vote in the election, and both previously unrepresented groups voted overwhelmingly to make NFFE-IAM their union. DoD Unions Face Setback in the U.S. Court of Appeals http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4281 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4281 Tue, 22 May 2007 09:55:16 CDT In a bitterly divided 2-1 opinion, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, reversed the U.S. District Court, which enjoined DoD from implementing regulations on labor relations, adverse actions, and employee appeals. The Court determined that the National Defense Authorization Act of 2004 (NDAA) gave the Secretary of Defense, in conjunction with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, the authority to “curtail collective bargaining” until the law... President Brown and Assistant Kerner Visit NFFE Locals in San Francisco http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4206 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4206 Fri, 04 May 2007 14:59:15 CDT San Francisco, CA " Last week NFFE National President Richard N. Brown and Assistant to the President Cassie Kerner visited Northern California on behalf of the NFFE National Office. NFFE-IAM Member Gives Testimony Before Congressional Subcommittee http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4174 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4174 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 14:14:23 CDT Washington, DC " On April 19th, Lisa Corathers from NFFE-IAM Local 1957 gave testimony before the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. Lisa works for the Minerals Information Team (MIT) of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in Reston, VA. In her testimony that was given on behalf of the union, Lisa asked for additional funding for the MIT, which has been consistently under-funded in President Bush’s annual budget to Congress. NFFE Meets With DoD Representatives to Discuss Joint Basing Plan http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4127 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4127 Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:12:06 CDT Yesterday, representatives from the Department of Defense’s Civilian Personnel Management Service (CPMS) visited the new NFFE National Office and gave a briefing on the department’s proposed joint basing plan. NFFE Forest Service Council Addresses Competitive Sourcing Early for FY08 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/3681 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/3681 Wed, 14 Mar 2007 13:54:46 CDT Washington, DC " Last week, the NFFE Forest Service Council’s Red Team"aptly named with the goal of keeping the Forest Service in red on the President’s red/yellow/green management scorecard for competitive sourcing"stormed Capitol Hill with the goal of laying the groundwork for a moratorium on competitive sourcing studies in the Forest Service for fiscal year 2008 (FY 08). NFFE Forest Service Council Addresses Competitive Sourcing Early for FY08 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4222 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/4222 Wed, 09 May 2007 10:57:35 CDT Washington, DC " Last week, the NFFE Forest Service Council’s Red Team"aptly named with the goal of keeping the Forest Service in red on the President’s red/yellow/green management scorecard for competitive sourcing"stormed Capitol Hill with the goal of laying the groundwork for a moratorium on competitive sourcing studies in the Forest Service for fiscal year 2008 (FY 08). NFFE Opens in New National Headquarters http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/3203 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/3203 Tue, 20 Feb 2007 13:00:22 CST We are excited to announce that NFFE has completed its move to its new home in downtown Washington, DC and is again open for business. After spending several weeks preparing for and executing the move, NFFE’s staff is once again up and running and providing service to the NFFE membership. NFFE Local 273 Conducts Major Organizing Campaign http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/2221 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/2221 Fri, 05 Jan 2007 12:46:07 CST NFFE-IAM Local 273, located at Fort Sill, OK, is proof that making a concentrated commitment to organizing can lead to great results. Veterans' Day Message from NFFE National President Richard N. Brown http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/1169 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/1169 Thu, 09 Nov 2006 07:44:55 CST Tomorrow our nation will once again pause and pay tribute to our veterans, past and present, who have selflessly devoted their lives to the defense of this country. Post Election Message from NFFE National President Richard N. Brown http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/1138 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/1138 Wed, 08 Nov 2006 09:51:55 CST Federal employees and working men and women across the country have spoken, and their message was clear: They are tired of being “represented’ by lawmakers who do not value their contribution to this nation or fight to protect their interests. It is time for change. Former President Bill Clinton Stumps for NFFE Endorsed Candidate http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/1104 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/1104 Tue, 07 Nov 2006 09:16:23 CST Yesterday, on the eve of Election Day, former United States President Bill Clinton served as the keynote speaker at a get out the vote rally in New York’s 20th Congressional district. The rally was held for Democratic House candidate Kirsten Gillibrand, who is locked in a tight race with Republican incumbent John Sweeney. NFFE National President Richard N. Brown attended the rally in support of Gillibrand, who is endorsed by NFFE-IAM. Make Your Voice Heard http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/1072 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/1072 Mon, 06 Nov 2006 09:29:01 CST After months of campaigning, Election Day is finally almost upon us. The votes cast tomorrow will determine who controls 435 House seats, 33 Senate seats, 36 governorships, and thousands of state and local positions. On a larger scale, tomorrow’s vote will determine whether the Republican Party maintains control of either houses of Congress, and will shape the legislation that is passed over the next two years. Civilian Federal Pay Raises Are No Guarantee http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/762 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/762 Fri, 27 Oct 2006 14:54:12 CDT Over the last several years, the White House and their majority friends in Congress have displayed a disturbing pattern of attempting to whittle away at civilian federal pay increases. Pentagon to Address NSPS in Next Congressional Session http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/428 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/428 Thu, 19 Oct 2006 10:52:30 CDT In the next Congressional session, the Department of Defense is going to approach legislators and request additional concessions on NSPS. The current majority in Congress is likely to rubber stamp practically anything DoD asks for, to the detriment of Defense workers who stand to lose collective bargaining rights, appeal rights, and yearly pay increases if the Pentagon has their way. FEEA Celebrates 20 Years of Helping Federal Employees http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/365 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/365 Wed, 18 Oct 2006 07:56:13 CDT This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA), a non-profit organization providing aid to civilian federal and postal employees. Former NFFE National President Jim Pierce was one of the organization's founders, and current National President Richard N. Brown serves as vice president of FEEA's Board of Directors, giving FEEA and NFFE a close and longstanding relationship. 2006 Elections Have Big Implications for Feds http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/361 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/361 Tue, 17 Oct 2006 18:12:35 CDT The 2006 elections are less than a month away. On November 7th, one of the most critical mid-term elections in decades will take place, and hanging in the balance is the majority status in both houses of the United States Congress. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers to Receive Back Pay http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/368 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/368 Wed, 18 Oct 2006 08:08:39 CDT Thanks to the diligence of the Forest Service Council and its Law Enforcement and Investigations (LEI) Committee, non-exempt Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) will now receive paid meal breaks. Senate Spending Bill Would Put Coast Guard Civil Engineering Program Reorganization on Hold http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/818 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/818 Mon, 30 Oct 2006 09:05:59 CST Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill that would temporarily block a High Performing Organization (HPO) reorganization of the Civil Engineering Program at Coast Guard. NFFE-IAM Wins Election at Mingo Job Corps Center http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/827 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/827 Mon, 30 Oct 2006 11:04:26 CST NFFE-IAM added a new Jobs Corps Center (JCC) to our Forest Service Council (FSC) after eligible employees voted overwhelmingly in favor of unionizing and becoming a part of NFFE-IAM. Federal Unions Win DHS Personnel System Decision in Federal Appeals Court http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/897 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/897 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 09:28:12 CST Today, the U. S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued its long awaited ruling in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel reform. NFFE, along with sister unions, prevailed in a resounding victory. Recent Supreme Court Rulings Potentially Impacting Federal Employees http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/901 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/901 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 09:32:28 CST Since last week, the U.S. Supreme Court has handed down two rulings, one of which has a direct impact on public employees. On May 30, 2006, the Supreme Court handed down a potentially far reaching decision regarding First Amendment protection as a public employee. In Garcetti, et al., v. Ceballos, the Court held that a “government entity has broader discretion to restrict (employee) speech when it acts in its employer role, but the restrictions it imposes must be directed at speech that... Reps Evans and LaHood Introduce Bill to Make Lock and Dam Workers Inherently Governmental http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/820 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/820 Mon, 30 Oct 2006 09:21:55 CST Last week, Representatives Lane Evans (IL-17) and Ray H. LaHood (IL-18) introduced the 2006 Federal Locks and Lock and Dam Facilities Act (HR 5204), a bill that would make roughly 2000 federal lock and dam workers at over 200 lock and dam facilities across the country inherently governmental. The NFFE National Executive Council Announces Building Sale http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/828 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/828 Mon, 30 Oct 2006 11:10:17 CST As many of our members are aware, NFFE has been in the process of trying to sell our 1016th Street building for many years. The sale of the current National Headquarters building was finalized on Monday, April 24th, with approval from the 1016 16th St. venture and a unanimous vote by the NFFE National Executive Council. NFFE Files Cross Appeal with Sister Unions on NSPS Court Decision http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/895 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/895 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 09:26:19 CST On May 1, 2006, NFFE, accompanied by twelve sister unions, filed a cross-appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia responding to and appealing certain portions of the District Court’s decision on National Security Personnel System (NSPS). Minerals Information Team Aims to Restore Funding http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/822 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/822 Mon, 30 Oct 2006 09:23:56 CST The U.S. Geological Survey, Minerals Information Team (MIT), NFFE Local 1957, is lobbying Congress to restore funding for the Mineral Resource Program, which received a 42% cut in the President’s FY07 budget. NFFE Welcomes New Business Representative http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/829 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/829 Mon, 30 Oct 2006 11:15:04 CST The National Federation of Employees (NFFE-IAM) is pleased to announce that a new Business Representative, Gary Johanson, has been hired to represent NFFE members in the Midwestern region of the United States. Federal Employees Get 3.1% Raise in ‘06 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/872 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/872 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 08:33:05 CST Federal employees will receive a 3.1% average pay increase for fiscal year 2006. On November 18th, the US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly (392 to 31) to adopt the Transportation-Treasury-Housing Appropriations conference report which included the pay raise. The measure was adopted a short time later by the Senate and on November 30th, was signed into law by President Bush. Congress Adopts Favorable A-76 Rules http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/877 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/877 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 08:35:00 CST Last year, a last-minute veto threat by the Bush administration blocked key provisions in the 2005 omnibus spending bill that would have made the outsourcing of federal jobs more difficult. This year things worked out better. NSPS Delayed as a Result of NFFE and Union Coalition Litigation http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/921 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/921 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 13:53:58 CST Earlier today, defendants in our lawsuit filed on November 7, 2005 in the District Court for the District of Columbia, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld and Director Springer of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), reached agreement on delaying implementation of key provisions in the new Department of Defense (DoD) personnel rules, otherwise known as National Security Personnel System (NSPS). NFFE and DoD Coalition Unions Fight NSPS in District Court http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/923 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/923 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 13:58:32 CST On November 7, 2005 NFFE returned to the District Court for the District of Columbia to challenge the Department of Defense’s (DoD) published personnel rules, otherwise known as the National Security Personnel System (NSPS). NSPS Regs Issued; Implementation Set for Day After Thanksgiving http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/905 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/905 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 10:01:21 CST Yesterday, after several months of anticipation, the Department of Defense (DoD), along with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), published final regulations for the National Security Personnel System (NSPS), the Pentagon’s overhaul of personnel rules affecting collective bargaining, pay, and discipline for DoD employees. Forest Service Council Takes Concerns to Congress; Comp. Sourcing and FS Budget are Primary Issues http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/883 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/883 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 08:43:49 CST Last week the NFFE, FD 1, Forest Service Council sent a trio of Council representatives to Washington, DC for a week of lobbying and meeting with top agency officials. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Opens Agency Up to A-76 Studies; First Study Estimated $300 Mil. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/887 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/887 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 08:47:26 CST Yesterday, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee considered several amendments to the Veterans Health Care Act of 2005 (S. 1182) at a markup in Washington, DC. Most notable was an amendment offered by Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Ranking Member on the committee, which would preserve the prohibition on cost comparison studies at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA). Red River Breathes Sigh of Relief; BRAC Board to Keep Depot Open http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/907 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/907 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 10:20:27 CST Late last week, the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission voted on parts of the final BRAC list which is headed to the desk of the president for editing or approval by September 8th. In a surprise move, the 9-member commission headed by Anthony Principi overruled the Pentagon on a number of items, voting to realign several major military installations originally recommended for outright closure. One of the principal installations spared from closure and designated for realignment... Unions Enjoin DHS From Implementing New Personnel Regulations http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/927 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/927 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 14:58:57 CST Late Friday, the District Court for the District of Columbia issued its much anticipated ruling. In a bold but justified decision, Judge Collyer enjoined the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from implementing certain aspects of their new personnel regulations on the grounds that the new Human Resources System “fail(s) to conform to the express dictates of the Homeland Security Act” (HSA). NFFE-IAM Talks NSPS With Senator Collins’ Office http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/867 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/867 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 08:27:11 CST Yesterday in Washington, NFFE National President/DBR Richard N. Brown, IAM Director of Government Employees Frank Carelli, and NFFE Legislative Director Randy Erwin met with the office of Susan Collins (R-ME), Chairperson of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and majority member on the Senate Armed Services Committee. VA Finally Addresses Funding Shortfall http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/870 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/870 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 08:29:06 CST After a lengthy process, the Senate passed a $1.5 billion increase to the budget to cover veterans’ health care benefits, clearing the first spending bill for the new fiscal year beginning on October 1st. NFFE and Sister Unions Rally Against NSPS http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/911 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/911 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 10:29:35 CST Several hundred federal employees and union members from across the country, including many from NFFE, turned out for a rally near the Capitol on Tuesday to protest the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) proposed new personal system, known as the National Security Personnel System, or NSPS. Unions Oppose DHS Attempts to Limit Scope of Court’s Injunction http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/925 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/925 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 14:55:38 CST On August 12, 2005, the District Court for the District of Columbia issued an injunction preventing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from implementing certain aspects of their new personnel regulations on the grounds that the new Human Resources System “fail(s) to conform to the express dictates of the Homeland Security Act” (HSA). NFFE Prevails Over FLRA/BLM in the U.S. Court of Appeals http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/929 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/929 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 15:07:16 CST On June 17, 2005, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit handed down a scathing indictment of the Federal Labor Relations Authority’s (FLRA) overbroad reading of management’s right to assign work, which upheld the non-negotiability of NFFE Locals 951 and 2152 proposals to the Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior (BLM). After Struggle, Pay Parity Likely for Feds in '06 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/879 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/879 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 08:38:59 CST Providing pay parity for military and civilian federal employees is once again proving a controversial topic as Congress drafts the federal budget for fiscal year 2006. The battle to provide equal pay raises for federal employees is well under way, and the issue has staunch supporters from both sides of the political aisle. Unions Leave “Sham” NSPS Collaboration; Coalition Still Strong http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/909 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/909 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 10:23:50 CST Yesterday, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) and five other unions that withdrew from meet-and-confer discussions with the Pentagon held a press conference to publicly voice their reasons for backing out of the process. Armed with an exit letter addressed to Department of Defense (DoD) and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) officials that spelled out union concerns, union officials charged DoD’s lackluster attempt to reach agreement on key provisions of the National... Tone of Congress Shifting on NSPS as Meet and Confer Goes Nowhere http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/881 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/881 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 08:41:06 CST As the meet and confer period between the Department of Defense (DoD) and employee union officials reaches the end of its second week, little progress has been made in the way of meaningful discussions that address real issues department employees have with the proposed National Security Personnel System (NSPS). Meet and Confer Begins: Pentagon and Unions Attempt to Settle Differences over Proposed Personnel System http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/889 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/889 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 08:54:03 CST Yesterday marked day one of the meet-and-confer between federal employee labor unions and the Pentagon over proposed regulations for the National Security Personnel System (NSPS). The closed-door deliberations, which will take place continually for at least the next four weeks, will be used to reach agreements between the two parties, Department of Defense (DoD) and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) officials representing the Pentagon and federal employee unions representing Defense... NFFE Members Challenge 5 Month Confinement Order in Court http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/899 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/899 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 09:30:39 CST On February 14, 2005, bargaining unit members in NFFE Local 1363 filed a class action lawsuit in the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C. Federal Employees Denied Job Competition Appeal Rights http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/893 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/893 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 09:00:56 CST Yesterday, The General Accounting Office (GAO) announced that it would not accept appeals from federal employees who lose work to contractors in job competitions. GAO reasoned that federal employees affected by public-private competitions do not meet the criteria for “interested parties” as defined by 1984 Competition in Contracting Act (CICA). Senate Armed Services Committee Raises Concerns about NSPS http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/858 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/858 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 08:16:05 CST In a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing yesterday, lawmakers received testimony from Gordon England, Secretary of the Navy and Dan Blair, Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management regarding the National Security Personnel System (NSPS). DoD Slows Implementation of Proposed Personnel Plan http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/885 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/885 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 08:47:05 CST Yesterday, Navy Secretary Gordon England announced that there will be a new timetable for the implementation of the National Security Personnel System (NSPS) at the Department of Defense (DoD). Originally, DoD planned to publish proposed regulations on April 20th, and could begin implementation after a brief feedback period with employee representatives. The new plan is to push back adopting a proposal until late November. Party Line Vote Kills Additional Funding for VA http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/863 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/863 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 08:24:50 CST Senate Republicans on Tuesday struck down a Democratic-backed proposal to add $2 billion to the fiscal 2005 supplemental spending bill intended to manage a predicted surge in the need for veterans’ health care. New DHS HR System Contains many Harmful Provisions for Feds http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/832 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/832 Mon, 30 Oct 2006 14:14:34 CST Last year the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) were granted authority by Congress to recreate their human resources management system. Their vision for this new system was released in the Federal Register on February 20th. Bush Rejects Pay Parity in ’05: Tries to Pull a Fast One on Feds http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/835 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/835 Mon, 30 Oct 2006 14:42:08 CST President Bush’s fiscal 2005 budget proposal, submitted last week, includes a 1.5 percent pay raise for civilian workers and a 3.5 percent increase for military personnel. This proposal disregards calls for military-civilian pay parity from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. NFFE Adds NASA Bargaining Unit in Cape Canaveral http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/626 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/626 Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:59:56 CDT Cape Canaveral, FL – For the first time in 48 years of existence, the employees at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Exchange unit at Kennedy Space Station will have a union. In an election held just before the holidays, employees in the bargaining unit voted better than 3-to-1 in favor of the union, granting NFFE its first bargaining unit at NASA. Passport Employees Plead for More Time to Review Passport Applications http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/627 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/627 Tue, 24 Oct 2006 14:02:10 CDT Over the past five years, employees at the Department of State¡¯s Passport Services located across the country have been pleading for more time to review passport applications, a process called ¡°adjudication.¡± Despite the fact that fraudulent passports have been issued to serious criminals and the concern that potential terrorists will obtain passports, management officials have only continued to demand faster processing of passports. NFFE-IAM Member Receives DOI Valor Award http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/833 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/833 Mon, 30 Oct 2006 14:27:13 CST Yesterday at the Department of the Interior 61st Honor Awards Convocation, Blane Dolges of NFFE FD 1 Local 2062, National Park Service, received the DOI Valor Award, presented to a DOI employee who has demonstrated unusual courage involving a high degree of personal risk in the face of danger. Brown Attends Federal Salary Council Meeting at OPM http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/834 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/834 Mon, 30 Oct 2006 14:34:57 CST Richard Brown, President/DBR attended the first Federal Salary Council meeting of 2002 at OPM last Thursday. The Federal Salary Council is made up of 3 experts in labor relations or pay policy and 6 representatives of federal employee organizations. The purpose of the council is to provide recommendations to the President’s Pay Agent on the locality pay program for general schedule employees.