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7/28 |
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American Federation of Government Employees Local 12, AFL-CIO
July 28, 2011
Dear Members,
We just received a briefing from the Department about the possibility of Congress not raising the debt ceiling by August 2, 2011. We were informed that OPM, OMB, and the administration decline to put their plans for work beginning on Tuesday, August 2nd in writing. Management was instructed to verbally inform employees to report to work on Tuesday, August 2nd. If you have approved leave for August 2nd, you may take that leave. If you have plans for work travel, you must continue with those plans. The Agency stated that if you are not on pre-scheduled, approved leave on August 2nd, and fail to report to work, you will not be paid.
Our next Electronic Funds Transfer is scheduled for August 8, 2011. The Agency would not give an assurance that we would in fact be paid by August 8th. We asked the Agency to investigate whether TSP loans would be available after August 2nd if the debt ceiling is not raised. We will provide you with the answer when we receive it.
The Agency stated that, at this point, it will not provide us with any additional information.
For the record, please note that while the government is unwilling to provide you with this information in writing, your Union is willing to provide you with the truth as we know it. We are happy to provide this to you in writing, in an attempt to keep you abreast of activities and lessen your anxiety.
When we get additional information, we will disseminate it to you as soon as possible.
In Solidarity,
Alex Bastani
200 Constitution Avenue, NW, N-1501, Washington, DC 20210, 202/693-6430, 202/693-6431 (fax)
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7/27 |
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Dear Members,
We want to inform you about an important issue concerning the corrupt contracting out practices at the United States Department of Labor. PDF
The Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment Training Services at the Department of Labor was forced into resignation due to procurement irregularities yesterday. The Union, AFGE Local 12, notified Deputy Secretary Seth Harris about this procurement irregularity on May 20, 2010 through an institutional grievance. (The grievance is attached) The Agency never responded.
Currently there is a congressional investigation. Please remember that as a bargaining unit employee you are entitled to having a Union representative or attorney present for any external or internal investigation. See Article 46, Sections 2 trough 4 below)
Article 46 Section 2. Investigative Examinations a. A Union representative shall be given the opportunity to be present at any examination of an employee in the bargaining unit by a representative of the Department in connection with an investigation if: 1. the employee reasonably believes that the examination may result in disciplinary action against the employee; and 2. the unit employee requests representation. 3. If an employee in the bargaining unit requests a Union representative, Management will reschedule (as soon as possible) the meeting with the Union representative given the opportunity to be present. Management will schedule the meeting at a time mutually convenient to Management, the Union, and the employee. 4. The Department will annually inform unit employees of their rights under this Section. Section 3. Meetings, Discipline, or Potential Discipline a. An employee in the bargaining unit has the right to have a Union representative present at any meeting between the employee and a supervisor or Management official in which discipline or potential discipline is to be discussed. b. If discipline or potential discipline enters into a discussion during a meeting between an employee in the bargaining unit and a supervisor or Management official, the employee is entitled to request to be accompanied by a Local 12 representative. If such a request is made, the supervisor or Management official will honor the request and reschedule (as soon as possible) the meeting with the Union representative given the opportunity to be present. Section 4. Adverse Actions In major adverse actions involving a suspension of more than fourteen (14) days, a removal, or a reduction in grade or pay taken under 5 U.S.C. 4303 and 7512, the employee will be informed in advance of his/her right to Union representation.
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The Membership and Organizing Committee has been busy at work coming up with fun and interesting events for members and potential members. (Next one – Labor Day BBQ.) If you have great ideas and are willing to help implement them, then we need you on the M&O committee. The new fiscal year is upon us and it is time to bolster our committees. Nominate yourself or a friend. The main commitment would be to meet once a month during lunch to discuss ideas and plans and get volunteers for the major events. Bumps on a log and naysayers need not apply. J Get active! Make new friends! Have fun!
Eugenia Ordynsky Eugenia K. Ordynsky Membership and Organizing Chair |
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8/15 |
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8/8 |
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Hello Members:
As you may be aware, there were some delays on Metro’s Blue and Yellow Lines this morning . If, as a result of this, your arrival to the office was delayed, you should request administrative leave pursuant to CBA Article 6, Section 7(c). Administrative leave may be granted if Metro’s delay caused you to be tardy.
Please read this provision of the CBA:
Management may apply administrative leave to tardiness which is clearly attributable to extraordinary weather, public transportation, or traffic tie-up conditions. In considering requests for excused absences, Management shall consider factors such as the distance between the employee's residence and place of work, the modes of transportation available to an employee, and the efforts made by employees traveling under similar circumstances in getting to work on time. Clearly, management has some discretion in whether to grant the request for administrative leave.
In Solidarity,
Eleanor |
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8/15 |
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August 15, 2011 Dear Sisters and Brothers,
We stand in solidarity with our Brothers and Sisters in the CWA and IBEW during this labor dispute with Verizon. This is yet another battle in the fight to maintain collective bargaining all over the world. And as the bosses try to divide Public and Private sector employees, we must now, more than ever, stand firm and not fall victim to their Union busting, divisive tactics. It would seem to me that a company that made over $6 billion dollars in profit, can pay their top executives $258 million, and is able to pay Vodaphone $10 billion, would be able to take care of their employees who made them those profits. Their aggressive efforts to roll back collective bargaining gains that have been fought for and won over the past 50 years are deplorable. This is corporate greed, and profit over people. This is not what America should be about and those of us in the labor movement have the duty to support this struggle. This type of dispute with Verizon is becoming all too common in this Country and in the world. It is similar to the recent attacks on workers by certain members of the Montgomery County Council and County Executive Leggett. I would say that CEO Lowell McAdam is to CWA and IBEW as Council President Valerie Ervin is to UFCW Local 1994. Immediately after her reelection on the backs of the labor movement and with the support of unions and the working families of Montgomery County, Valerie Ervin, who is proud to tout her working class background, forgot her roots and her principles! She stabbed workers and their families in the back and introduced several bills that would strategically dilute collective bargaining rights for public employees, and attack working families of Montgomery County. Whether we are talking about the Scott Walker-esque tactics against the FAA employees or public employees in Greece, Great Britain, Wisconsin, or Montgomery County or the union busting in the private sector against Verizon workers, all over the world workers are being attacked. It is important to support each other in these difficult times, not only winning these battles, but also leading to a stronger labor movement. Private or public sector — we are all workers. The bosses and politicians do not differentiate between private and public sector, in fact these sectors work very well together and do so quite frequently. They know that successful attacks on public sector unions will clear the way to successful attacks on private sector unions and vice versa. Therefore, I offer you our full support for the Verizon workers in your strike against the corporate greed of Lowell McAdam. We need to work together, support each other and oppose the attacks on employees — public and private sector by greedy corporations such as Verizon and by ambitious politicians such as Council President Valerie Ervin. The workers united, will never be defeated!
In Solidarity, Gino Renne President, UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO International Vice President, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union |