NRC GROUP GRIEVANCE RESOLVED AT 1st LEVEL!

NTEU Chapter 305 is happy to announce that the group grievance filed on behalf of all NRC Bargaining Unit Employees has been resolved at the first level.  It has taken some serious time and discussions to finalize this grievance filed back in the summer. The written apology is posted on the NTEU Boards in the break rooms at the NRC, please take a minute to stop and read.  If you happen to be on vacation, leave or travel and do not get a chance to read the apology, please contact any steward to obtain a copy of the apology.
 
We still have a number of grievances going forward and have invoked arbitration in three cases.  We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our entire work force to assure that every employee's rights and dignity are respected.  Take time to read our National Agreement and assure that your rights and dignity are always respected, and if you determine that you have a grievance, never hesitate to contact a steward.

New 2010 EEOC Case Changing Procedures

In a major federal employee upset, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit recently changed the way federal employees and agencies may approach partial relief in future discrimination claims.

The FedSmith article can be found
here. And the case here.

Tim Foster, Chapter Vice President

TTB-NTEU PARTNERSHIP MEETING COMING UP

The next TTB-NTEU Partnership meeting is scheduled to take place the week of October 18, 2010 in Washington, DC.  As we need to get the union's agenda items to management timely, please submit any ideas, concerns or issues you would like discussed at the partnership meeting, with a description of the issue, to the chapter no later than October 4, 2010.  You can submit this by either sending to nteuch305@yahoo.com or by contacting and/or sending to any of the officers/stewards listed. 
 
Thank you for your participation and your support.
 
The individuals that will be attending the next partnership meeting on behalf of Chapter 305 are:
 
G. Renee' Yankey - President
Tim Foster - Vice President
Tomika Moore - Steward
William Igoe - NTEU Attorney

Administrator and Deputy Administrator Visit the NRC

On September 1st and 2nd, Mr. Manfreda and Ms. Ryan came to visit the NRC.  During their visit, they met with employees on current concerns.  Many employees were able to meet with them and discuss some of their concerns and issues on a first come/scheduled basis.  Due to time constraints, not everyone was able to meet with them.  In addition, G. Renee' Yankey, Chapter President, and Robin Paxton, Assistant Treasurer/Steward of the Chapter met with them for an hour to discuss possible ways to improve the management/union relationship. 
 
Based on employee reports back to the Chapter, the meetings/visits were received very positively by the employees.
 
Mr. Manfreda also expressed an interest in more pre-decisonal involvement of the employees and is interested in creating some work groups.  These work groups can work on issues, plans and procedures and can help us become an intrical part of helping us all in facing the many challenges related to accomplishing our important mission.  This is an incredibly positive indicator and we hope that many employees will participate in this very important endeavor.  This is your chance to help make our agency the best and most efficient we can be and make our workplace a positive one.  We know you have good ideas, now is your chance to present some of them.
 
The chapter is very grateful that the Administrator and Deputy Administrator came.  We are very hopeful that this will be the beginning of a
real partnership of working together.  Thank you, John and Mary, for your concern, time and efforts at the NRC on these two days and we look forward to working with you in the days ahead. 

New Addition to the Wallace Family

Doug Wallace, Chapter Treasurer, has a new addition to the family. Evan Charles arrived July 23. Congratulations, Doug, and best wishes from all.


Doug Wallace Addition

MOU on TTB O 9330.1

The Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to issuing industry guidance can be found here.

A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT ON THE NRC

NTEU, Chapter 305 is very disappointed in the Agency and NRC Management in their decision to hire a new manager to the NRC, since they have not hired behind specialist for so long.
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Phyllis Baldwin

Phyllis Baldwin, longest NTEU member of the chapter had a serious accident at work, has had surgery to repair damage and is recuperating at home.  The chapter sent her some cookies and she called today to thank the chapter for the cookies and stated that it really cheered her up to know her fellow union members were thinking of her and wishing her a speedy recovery.  Please keep Phyllis in your thoughts/prayers.

THE ADMINISTRATOR REJECTS INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS WITH THE NTEU CHAPTER 305 PRESIDENT - FIRST LEVEL GRIEVANCE FILED

On July 7, 2010, Ms. Yankey, President of NTEU Chapter 305 submitted an e-mail to Mr. John Manfreda introducing herself as the Chapter President representing all the bargaining unit employees of the agency and requested a chance to talk informally regarding the situation at the NRC, especially the recent meetings and statements made by Mr. Boland, Director of the NRC.

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Investigative Interviews

What to do if you are the subject of an investigation.

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Member Surveys

Attached are three member survey forms. We would appreciate your input. Read More...

NTEU Chapter 305’s Position on the “All Hands Meeting”

NTEU Chapter 305’s Position on the “All Hands Meeting” held at the NRC on June 24, 2010 by Kevin Boland, Director of the NRC and NTEU Chapter 305.
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A REMINDER FROM YOUR CHAPTER PRESIDENT

The chapter has received many comments and statements of how concerned and disappointed they are regarding the selection of Ms. Mary Ryan to the position of TTB Deputy Administrator.  Read More...

Procedures for EEO Claims

This is to advise bargaining unit employees that under Article 15 of the Negotiated Agreement, employees may raise EEO claims either through the EEO statutory procedure OR through the negotiated grievance procedures (NTEU, Chapter 305).

Read more ...

Training Managment MOU

Memorandum of Understanding between the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), Chapter 305 on the Training Management Order.

The complete memorandum can be found here.

Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989

The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 is a United States federal law that protects federal whistleblowers, or persons who work for the government who report agency misconduct.

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What Are Prohibited Personnel Practices?

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is an independent federal investigative and prosecutorial agency. Their basic authorities come from four federal statutes: the Civil Service Reform Act, the Whistleblower Protection Act, the Hatch Act, and the Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
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Any Discrimination Due to Age or Eligibility of Retirement is Illegal

As a chapter, many employees come to us for advice on various laws and regulations regarding their rights. We have noticed a number of employees that are within 5 years of retirement eligibility seem to have the most questions regarding age discrimination laws.

The complete article can be found
here.

VOIP Memorandum of Understanding

Memorandum of Understanding between the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), Chapter 305 on the installation of the VOIP telephone system (Call agent Module) at the NRC.

The complete memorandum can be found here.

EEO ADR Memorandum of Understanding

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB” or “Employer”) briefed the National Treasury Employees Union (“NTEU” or “Union”) regarding the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, TTB Order 2922.1 (“ADR Order”). Pursuant to this initiative, TTB employees may select alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in lieu of counseling during the pre-compliant period for EEO complaints.

The complete memorandum can be found
here.

EEOC Proposed Rule Change

In an effort to improve the federal complaints process, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has published a proposed rule that seeks to make changes to the discrimination complaint regulations affecting federal employees. Read More...