Good News Today!

House Approves 3.5% Pay Raise
in 2008; Votes to Limit Contracting

Washington D.C.—The House of Representatives today approved a 3.5 percent pay increase for federal civilian employees and voted against an attempt to remove legislative language that imposes limits on federal contracting as lawmakers passed the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill for fiscal 2008.
The NTEU-supported 3.5 percent pay increase for federal employees matches the amount previously approved by the House and the Senate Armed Services Committee for members of the military.
President Colleen M. Kelley of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) lauded the House vote. “Fair pay is the single most important factor toward recruiting and retaining quality federal employees,” she said. “It also would represent a small, but important, step in closing the pay gap between public and private sector employees, estimated at about 13 percent.”
In years past, federal employees and members of the military have received pay increases equal to the Employment Cost Index (ECI), plus one-half of one percent. Using that formula would lead to a raise of 3.5 percent for next fiscal year, not the 3 percent proposed by the administration. NTEU also secured language ensuring that administration efforts to change pay systems at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Defense (DOD) would not prevent the 3.5 percent January pay raise for employees in those departments.
In addition to a pay hike, the approved legislation levels the playing field in federal contracting out competitions despite an attempt on the floor to remove the provisions from the bill. The attempt was defeated 268 to 158. It expands federal employee appeal rights in A-76 procedures, giving them the same rights presently enjoyed by private contractors to appeal agency decisions privatizing federal work. NTEU has long argued that federal workers should have the same right to appeal to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) – as an independent decision-maker – that private contractors have. Under present contracting rules, federal employees are limited to an appeal within their agency; the same agency which makes the A-76 decision in the first place.
The bill’s language also precludes private companies from reducing employee health benefits, or offering inferior retirement benefits, in order to reduce costs on their final contract bid. Finally, the legislation mandates that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) cannot require or direct agencies to undertake A-76 competitions. The bill makes these provisions permanent changes in law.

Play Ball!!!

Hey Members!

The Rockies are HOT, HOT , HOT

The Chapter still has vouchers for Rockie's tickets. For $12.00 you can purchase a voucher which can be exchanged for a seat at Coors Field. The vouchers are good for every upcoming game except July 3 and 4th and August 9-12.
To purchase, just let us know by email (*NTEU Chapter 32) or phone (303-446-1700)_that you would like tickets and stop by the union office and pick up the vouchers!
See you at the ballgame!

FMLA Trouble?

If you have recently attempted to apply for leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), your physician may not have been aware of the need to be completely thorough about making sure you have the time you need to recover or for treatment, or to care for a family member. Chapter 32 has a new tool, a letter you can take to the doctors to instruct them as to what you need to be granted for the time involved. This instruction will assure that the medical professional puts the correct amount of time you'll need, and keep the agency from the possibility of charging you AWOL for any time not covered by the FMLA certificate. Chapter 32 recommends that you talk to us if you are applying for FMLA coverage. NTEU is ready to help, and make sure your rights are insured. See your Steward of the Chapter 32 office today.

We need your help!

SUMMARY: IMMEDIATE ACTION NECESSARY. Join the fight to help TSA employees have the collective bargaining rights they deserve and that are enjoyed by other federal employees.
Since the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees have been denied collective bargaining rights based upon an administrative determination that granting such rights would compromise national security.
Recognizing the unfairness of this determination, as part of the legislation implementing the 9/11 Commission recommendations, Congress approved legislation granting collective bargaining rights to TSA employees.
In anticipation of a Presidential veto of this legislation because it includes the right of TSA employees to bargain collectively, we need your help. Attached is a petition we plan to deliver to the White House urging the President not to reject this important piece of nation security legislation and not to deny TSA employees the right to collectively bargain.
We urge you to write, call or e-mail youe Senators and Congressional representatives asking for their support and to override any veto of this important legislation. Also, please look for petitions in the workplace, and sign them. This will be a difficult battle and every signature counts.
Please remember, this veto is the latest salvo in the war on Federal Employee Unions, and we need to suppport our brothers and sisters in TSA. Remember, it CAN happen to us, too.

Website Alert

One-Hour Service Disruption Expected Friday on NTEU's Web sites NTEU's web sites will be down from 7 to 8 p.m. EDT, this Friday, June 8, so that we can perform server maintenance. NTEU's web sites include www.NTEU.org, www.DHSunion.org and www.nteuIRSwatch.org.