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AFGE Week in Review
(Feb. 18, 2008)
Over 150 AFGE Members, Activists Rally in Protest of Unsafe Prisons
Lawmakers, HR Experts Join AFGE President Gage in Criticizing Pay for Performance
AFGE President Gage Calls on Congress to End TSA’s Pay System
AFGE Officers Tout Union’s Victories in 2007, Call on Members, Activists
to Continue Fights in 2008
Leading House Lawmakers Voice Support for Government Employees
AFGE Locals Urged to Take Advantage of New Outsourcing Rules
AFGE Denounces Closings of SSA Offices
AFGE Secretary-Treasurer Cox Urges Congress to Mandate AFGE Involvement
in VA’s Claims Process
Don Hale Reselected as DEFCON Chair
AFGE News for DoD Employees
Special Edition - Spring 2008
Most Significant Victories in AFGE’s History
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Read AFGE News Special Edition (pdf)
AFGE Wins 3.5% Average Raise for GS, Wage Grade, Non-NSPS Workers
AFGE Secures Partial Reform of NSPS Pay
AFGE Ends DoD’s Plan for Kangaroo Court
After Years of Fighting, AFGE Wins Historic Outsourcing Reforms
What’s the Deal with NSPS?
The question of the day (or last several days) has been what’s up with NSPS?
The short answer is that for all intensive purposes,
NSPS as we knew it is gone - ancient history!
Now for a little better explanation of what we know in a non-technical answer.
Under NSPS, virtually all aspects of civil service would have
changed. While I could go into detail on all of the areas that would have been impacted,
I think that would only cause more confusion. Suffice it to say that the only areas that
are likely to see any significant changes in the future are our pay system (going from GS
to a new pay-band system) and performance management system (currently TAPES for most of us).
If/when the DoD decides to move bargaining unit employees under a new performance management
system, that change will require DoD to meet and negotiate with the Union(s). Since these
two are joined at the hip so to speak, how we bargain over the new performance management
system will have a tremendous impact on our lives.
Currently, no proposals exist to bring
us under a new system. Since virtually all of the law that governs NSPS has now changed,
I am sure that DoD will have to revisit their internal policies and regulations governing
these topics. With that said, I don’t anticipate any changes to the working conditions for
bargaining unit employees during 2008. If that is not the case, I will let you know.
In summary, for all of the employees covered in bargaining units, no changes are on the
visible horizon. And, just like we have been operating for decades, if changes do present
themselves, we will be able to negotiate virtually the same as we do today!
In Solidarity,
Don Eiermann,
President AFGE Local 1858
NSPS STOPPED
AFGE and the DEFCON Wins
President Bush just signed the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, effectively
gutting the National Security Personnel System (NSPS). The only remnants of that
unsavory system are pay banding and pay-for-performance, the latter being subject to
negotiations. AFGE and the other DOD unions have been fighting to protect our rights
for the last 6 years. It was a long and costly endeavor. In the end, we are victorious!
More information will be coming out over the next several weeks, but I do want to let
everyone know that, for the bargaining unit, everything will remain the same until
we NEGOTIATE and AGREE to any changes.
AFGE Week in Review (Nov. 19, 2007)
Read AFGE Week in Review
AFGE Joins Hundreds of Workers, Activists in Rally against NLRB:
Senate Panel Wants More Feds to Telework:
Covert Testing Case Reiterates Need for Whistleblower Protections for TSA Workers:
Supreme Court Extends Deadline for NSPS Appeal:
Alma Lee Re-elected as AFGE VA Council President:
More Federal Employees Join AFGE:
Inside Government: Robert Kuttner, author of “The Squandering of America: How the Failure of Our Politics Undermines Our Prosperity”
Cramer Signs Anti-NSPS Letter Sent to Armed Service Committee
As the Committee considers the Conference report on the Fiscal Year 2008
National Defense Authorization Act, we request your support for inclusion of language
that will fix the misquided and dysfunctional National Security Personal System (NSPS)
. . . View Anti-NSPS Letter (pdf)
Great News for Members of AFGE Local 1858
AFGE Local 1858 has just entered into a business relationship with LifeLock to bring our members the best rate available for protection against identity theft.
LifeLock is a premiere identity theft protection company that vows to put up to $1 Million dollars toward restoring your identity if it is ever stolen while you are enrolled in their protection service.
With the holidays just around the corner, credit protection and identity theft become more of a concern.
Please call our Local 1858 office (876-4880) to obtain more information as to what you need to do to sign up for the
special rate that our Local has arranged for our members.
With your membership, you can sign up all immediate family members under the negotiated rate.
Partnering with LifeLock is just another way that AFGE Local 1858 is working to protect you and your family. Union membership doesn't cost…it saves! Now it can save your identity too! Call today!
View the October 9th Local 1858 NSPS Town Hall Slide Presentation (ppt)
NSPS Action: Call Your Congressman:
AL TN Congressional Contact Information
Anti-NSPS Sample Letter you can Mail to your Congressman:
(doc)
(txt)
Below are two links for contact info of the members of the Senate and House Armed Services
Committees.
House Armed Service Committee Members
Senate Armed Services Committee Members
NSPS: Mismanagement, Legal Challenges, Congressional Action
2003 - 2007
In 2003, under the guise of national security, Congress granted the Department of
Defense (DoD) the authority to establish a new human resources system and to
modify certain labor relations provisions under what was called the National
Security Personnel System (NSPS).
Read Article
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United DoD Workers Coalition Letter to the Defense Authorization Conferees
October 1, 2007
Dear Conferee,
We the undersigned unions of the United DoD Workers Coalition
(UDWC), representing 600,000 Department of Defense (DoD) civilian
workers, urge you to support the inclusion of the House language
reforming the National Security Personnel System (NSPS) as a part of the
Fiscal Year 2008 (FY08) Defense Authorization Conference Report.
Read Letter (pdf)
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U.S. Senate Finally Hears Us!!!
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AL TN Congressional Contact Information
On Monday, October 1, 2007 the U.S Senate passed its 2008 Defense Authorization Bill.
Contained in that Bill was language that would prevent DoD from modifying Labor Relations
(Collective Bargaining)
under NSPS. This is a HUGH victory for the DoD employees. However, the war is not over.
We must continue to pressure our Congressman and Senators in order to secure enough support in the
event that the President follows through with his threat of veto of any bill containing language that
would interfere in the SecDefs ability to maximize flexibility with respect to personnel.
Read Gov Exec Article by Brittany R. Ballenstedt: Senate moves to restrict Defense personnel overhaul
What to say when you call your Congressmen:
(Do Not Use Government Phones To Make This Call)
Receptionist: Senator's office, may I help you?
AFGE Caller: "Hi, my name is _____________. I'm calling to ask the Senator to honor the work of civilian defense employees and insure that we maintain a strong national defense by supporting the repeal of the National Security Personnel System in the Senate version of the Defense Authorization bill.
Receptionist: "Thank you for calling. I'll make sure the Senator gets the message."
AFGE Caller: "Thank you." (You can hang up.)
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NSPS Given Green Light By the US Senate Appropriators
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AL TN Congressional Contact Information
Senate Appropriators Give NSPS A Green Light: The Senate Defense Appropriations Committee did not follow in the House's footsteps when it passed its version of the 2008 spending bill Sept. 12 without a provision denying funding for major parts of the National Security Personnel System (NSPS). The Senate Armed Services Committee, however, passed the Defense Authorization bill in May to slightly scale back NSPS. It's not clear when the full Senate is going to take up the bill.
The House, on the other hand, completely rolled back NSPS when it passed its version of the 2008 Defense Authorization bill in May as urged by AFGE. The House in August also approved an amendment to the 2008 Defense Appropriations bill that would deny funding for major portions of NSPS.
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Bush Threatens Veto over NSPS
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AL TN Congressional Contact Information
President Bush issued a veto threat over the House Defense appropriations bill due to
language added by the Inslee amendment that would bar funding for the continued expansion
of the National Security Personnel System (NSPS).
Shortly thereafter, Bush appointed OMB Director Jim Nussle, sent a strong letter to the US Senate Appropriations Committee, warning them to not add such language to the Senate version of the bill.
As I mentioned before, we are down to the final battle to keep NSPS in its current form, out
of DOD. All of us MUST contact our Senators and Congressmen and impress upon them the need to stop NSPS
. The President has turned up the heat and now, so must we!
AFGE Local 1858 will be holding a town hall on October 9, 2007 in the
Bob Jones Auditorium, 1100-1300hrs.
If you don't understand NSPS or if you have questions, come to the town hall.
If you are against NSPS and want to show your support, come to the town hall.
If you are just not sure about any of this, come to the town hall because all of us
need each of us to stand together in Solidarity.
NSPS Update:
Message from Don Eiermann, President Local 1858
(Alabama Congressional contact information)
To All Bargaining Unit Employees:
For the better part of 6 years we have been fighting to push back or wipe out the National Security Personnel System (NSPS). Our efforts have thus far kept us free from the Administration's attempt to strip out all of our rights and protections.
Yesterday, I received word that the stay order, which has been keeping DoD from implementing NSPS to Union covered employees, was rescinded by the Court of Appeals in Washington D.C. What does that mean? Well, it means that at this point,
DoD can begin converting ALL employees to the new system effective immediately. Now, that
said, we don't believe that DOD is in a position to act upon this new revelation.
As we near the end of the fiscal year, money is short and the cost to convert all of us would be rather large. For that reason, we do not expect any attempts of mass conversions until FY2008 monies are in place. It is that element which we must affect (FY2008 Defense Authorization bill) if we are to remain free from NSPS.
The U.S. House of Representatives has already passed amendments to DOD's funding measures that would either strip out the negative impacts of NSPS or would bar funding of the new system. The U.S. Senate has not gone quite as far.
From now and until the FY2008 Defense Authorization bill is approved,
we MUST bring pressure to bear on Senators Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby. When I say we, I mean me and ALL of you who are federal employees (and family members) must either pick up the phone to call the Senators' offices and/or write them emails and letters demanding that they support our interests.
Folks, the matter is in our hands and the time has come to act. Years ago, a large majority of civil servants remained quiet when congress considered moving federal employees from CSRS to FERS. As a result, CSRS was replaced by an inferior retirement plan. The only thing that was needed was some calls and letters. I can't stress enough the significance of what is taking place.
While many of you have heard about the NSPS pay system, the changes that will take place far exceed just that aspect. In fact, we (and I mean all of us in the Labor Relations arena, UNION and CPOC/CPAC) do not really know all the facets that will have to be addressed and the subsequent impact to the workforce. What I can tell you is that our position as a collective entity will be severely diminished in comparison with what we have today.
Please check our website frequently over the next 2-3months for updated information as to the actions surrounding NSPS and our battle to save our rights. Form letters and contact information will be posted over the next few days/weeks and we ask that you take a few minutes to let the Senators' hear from you. If you do make contact with them, we would like to hear from you. AFGE Locals from around the world will be rallying to this cause and we would like to recognize you for your efforts and let the entire AFGE family know that Redstone did its part.
In Solidarity,
Don Eiermann, President
AFGE Local 1858
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Congress Blocks Funding for New DoD Personnel System
(WASHINGTON) - The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which
represents more than 200,000 Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees,
today lauded House members for their overwhelming bipartisan support of a
bill that blocks funding of the National Security Personnel System (NSPS)
for civilian defense workers.
U.S Reps. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), and Chris Van Hollen
(D-Md.) introduced an amendment to the FY08 Defense Appropriations bill
blocking funding for the DoD's proposed personnel system, which essentially
guts civilian employee rights.
"In May, the House overwhelmingly rejected NSPS as costly and misguided by
including in its 2008 Defense Authorization Bill language striking down
major portions of the system," said John Gage, national president of AFGE.
"The House said it then, and now is saying again that NSPS must be stopped."
The Government Accountability Office recently released a report detailing
the exceedingly high cost of implementing the system. It also expressed
serious doubts as to whether DoD could implement NSPS at its estimated cost.
(http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07851.pdf)
In February 2006, AFGE and its partners in the United Defense Workers
Coalition won a decisive ruling in the U.S. District Court against NSPS.
Judge Emmet G. Sullivan's ruling gutted NSPS provisions pertaining to labor
relations, collective bargaining, independent third party review, adverse
actions, and DoD's proposed internal labor relations panel. The ruling was
overturned this May in a sharply divided 2-1 decision by the U.S Court of
Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
"AFGE has dedicated itself to protecting DoD employees from being subject to
unfair working conditions," Gage said. "We are confident in today's action.
We have no doubt that in the end, DoD employees will be treated fairly and
in a just manner."
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MEMORANDUM: 2008 Defense Authorization Bill
To: National Executive Council
From: Beth Moten Legislative and Political Director
Date: June 6, 2007
Subject: National Security Personnel System
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The Senate Armed Services Committee filed its version of the 2008 Defense Authorization Bill this week. It is tentatively scheduled for floor consideration the week of June 25th.
The Senate National Security Personnel System (NSPS) provisions, while an improvement over current law, do not go as far as the House bill, and we will be working hard to ensure that in the final conference between the House and Senate, that as much of the House language is retained as possible.
The Senate bill does the following:
1. excludes all wage grade employees from all of NSPS;
2. restores chapter 71 collective bargaining rights, but fails to eliminate section (k) of current law, which allows the department unfettered discretion to make monumental changes to qualification standards, recruitment, and appointments to positions, assignments, detailing, transferring and promotions, reductions-in-force protections, and veterans preference. Section (k) must be eliminated for any true restoration of collective bargaining rights to be ensured.
3. prevents the negotiation of any "rate of pay established or adjusted in accordance with the requirements of this section". Potentially, this leaves open the possibility of negotiating about design and implementation of new pay systems.
The House bill, by contrast, does not exempt entire classes of employees, such as Wage Grade. However, it does the following:
1. restores completely the statutory authority for collective bargaining rights;
2. restores the statutory authority establishing an independent appeal for employees facing adverse actions;
3. permits the department to move forward with its new pay system but requires full collective bargaining before it can be applied to rank-and-file employees.
We are not planning a Senate floor amendment on NSPS, but rather we will work to persuade the Senate to agree to the House version when the bill goes to conference.
AFGE will be developing lobbying and grassroots materials for the joint House-Senate conference on NSPS in the near future.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
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 Border Patrol agents sentenced to prison: 11-12 years for shooting drug-smuggling
suspect in buttocks as he fled across frontier.
Boreder Patrol Agents Story
Alabama Senators Shelby and Sessions vote against collective bargaining rights
for the Transportation Security Officers (TSOs).
Click here for more information.
Click
here
to tell Senators Shelby and Sessions voting against federal employees is inexcusable.
More Congressional contact
information -
- Phone numbers, email and mailing adressess.
Local 1858 AFGE 2006 Christmas Luncheon Photos
New Dental and Vision Benefits - Open season Nov 13 to Dec 11 2006 (pdf)
Judge Rules: Bush Violates 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
Mr. Dennis Garrison, former Local 1858 President, passed away on June 9, 2006, at Huntsville Hospital.
Important Announcement from Local 1858 President Don Eiermann
I urge you to use the letter that appears below to contact your
Congressional Representative today or or over the weekend. If you
forward it by email to Congress, please
USE YOUR PRIVATE COMPUTER AND PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS ONLY. DO NOT FORWARD THIS TO ANYONE ON GOVERNMENT
EMAIL. If you have any questions, please call me. Thanks.
Download Letter:
(txt)
(rtf)
National Security Personnel System (NSPS) Spriral 1.2 (pdf)
Due to recent events,
(termination of an employee for failing the class) , AFGE Local 1858 is highly discouraging enrollment in the Army Acquisition Basic Course (AABC), Course Catalog Number ALMC-QA 907A, to meet DAU Certification Requirements. Use DAU schedule and take the required individual courses. It may take a little longer, but it is a much safer route!
Circuit Court of Appeals decision on the DHS MaxHR system:
AFGE and the other unions involved in this case faired very well!
(read) (pdf)
FY07 Defense Authorization Conference and Proposals to Contract Out Security, Fire Fighting
, and Depot Maintenance Functions.
Download (doc) letter and send to
your representatives.
(Alabama congressional contact information)
Mark Up of Senate FY07 Defense Authorization Bill:
URGENT: Report on Mark Up of Senate FY07 Defense Authorization Bill
(read) (download)
Key Lawmakers: All Representatives and Senators on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees:
http://www.house.gov/hasc/about/members.html
http://armed-services.senate.gov/members.htm
Funding Cuts - Equal Employment Opportunity Commission -
Washington (AP) - Cuts in funding and staff at the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission are threatening job security for millions of Americans, a federal workers' union claims in a new ad campaign.
(read)
AFGE News Letter May-June 2006 (rtf)
NSPS & You: GS vs NSPS (ppt) (web)
Whistler Blower Protection: AFGE National President Says Union Protection Needed
Now More Than Ever . . . (read)
(Alabama congressional contact information)
Rally in Washington D.C.
On July 12th 2005 AFGE and the United Defense Workers Coalition (UDWC) conducted a
rally in Washington D.C. regarding the National Security Personnel System (NSPS).
- (view photos)
Local 1858 Recognition Certificate
AFGE and Garrison Redstone Sign 1st Labor Contract May 13, 2004 --
Click here
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