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NTEU e-Bulletin
NTEU e-Bulletin
Today's Featured Stories:
NTEU Bulletin: Make the Most of Federal Benefits Open Season
Two New Agreements Sealed at NCUA
FEEA is Now Accepting 2023 Scholarship Applications
Thank You, NTEU Members
During this season of gratitude, we thank our members for your support of our union and your service to our country. We are proud to stand with you as we work together toward the same goal, a better workplace for all federal employees. Have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving, NTEU!
NTEU Bulletin: Make the Most of Federal Benefits Open Season
It’s Federal Benefits Open Season, and even if you’re happy with your plan, you still have homework. Plan coverage and premiums can change—are you still in the best plan for you and your family? Are you taking advantage of flexible spending accounts? Is a dental and vision plan right for you? The NTEU Bulletin offers an overview of open season and what’s new for 2023.
Then click over to the Member Benefits section of NTEU.org for your free, members' only access to the Consumers’ Checkbook’s Guide to Health Plans, an interactive tool that compares plan costs, ratings and more. Open Season ends Dec. 12, so act soon.
Two New Agreements Sealed at NCUA
Chapter 303 (National Credit Union Administration) members have two big reasons to celebrate—newly ratified national and compensation agreements. The five-year collective bargaining agreement expands and protects telework and remote work opportunities, retains flexible work schedules, and has improved travel provisions for field-going employees. The two-year compensation agreement, effective in January, provides for significant pay increases, an increase in FEHBP premium subsidies and a new student loan repayment program.
NTEU can bargain over pay with NCUA, unlike most other federal agencies, because NCUA is not covered by the General Schedule and its revenues are derived from participating credit unions.
FEEA is Now Accepting 2023 Scholarship Applications
Federal employees and their family members can now apply for a scholarship from the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA).
Now through March 16, current civilian federal and postal employees with at least three years of service can apply for scholarship awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Spouses and children of federal employees may also apply.
NTEU is a founding member of FEEA and is proud to support this charity dedicated solely to serving federal workers and their families. Learn more and apply today.
Happening at NTEU
November is Native American Heritage Month
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NTEU Remembers Oklahoma City Bombing Victims
Today marks the 27th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. On April 19, 1995, 168 people—federal workers, members of the public and children—were killed in an attack against our government and those who proudly serve. As we remember those who lost their lives and their families, we also remember those who carry on their work.
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Guidance Continues Push to Educate Employees on Collective Bargaining
The Office of Personnel Management issued additional guidance last week outlining several ways agencies should make employees more aware of their collective bargaining rights. The first round of guidance was issued in October following the Executive Order on Worker Organizing and Empowerment.
Agencies are strongly encouraged to improve the ability of unions to communicate with employees by allowing them access to agency bulletin boards, websites and the intranet for educational material. OPM is also encouraging agencies to periodically invite union officials to town hall meetings to educate employees about their workplace rights.
“We believe these are basic processes that respect the rights of federal unions and allow employees who wish to join their unions to do so simply and efficiently,” said National President Tony Reardon. “This guidance understands that strong unions improve the workplace by providing employees with the opportunity to join with their coworkers and share their collective ideas for improving their federal agencies.”
NTEU Stops Agency from Eliminating AWS
NTEU recently won an important victory preventing the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) from terminating alternative work schedules (AWS) at a Maryland training location represented by Chapter 338.
Management at FLETC Cheltenham (Md.) claimed that AWS was causing increased costs and decreased productivity, although the work schedules had been in place for 17 years. After two unsuccessful bargaining sessions over the AWS article in the NTEU contract, the dispute went to the Federal Service Impasses Panel (FSIP). Management had to prove that AWS was having an “adverse agency impact.” NTEU countered this argument by demonstrating that AWS had actually saved FLETC money and productivity did not decline.
NTEU won the case and employees were able to keep their AWS schedules. But this is not the first case of its kind the union has won. This victory follows similar union wins on behalf of Customs and Border Protection employees at ports where management sought to terminate AWS schedules.
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NTEU Remembers Oklahoma City Bombing Victims
Today marks the 27th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. On April 19, 1995, 168 people—federal workers, members of the public and children—were killed in an attack against our government and those who proudly serve. As we remember those who lost their lives and their families, we also remember those who carry on their work.
|
Guidance Continues Push to Educate Employees on Collective Bargaining
The Office of Personnel Management issued additional guidance last week outlining several ways agencies should make employees more aware of their collective bargaining rights. The first round of guidance was issued in October following the Executive Order on Worker Organizing and Empowerment.
Agencies are strongly encouraged to improve the ability of unions to communicate with employees by allowing them access to agency bulletin boards, websites and the intranet for educational material. OPM is also encouraging agencies to periodically invite union officials to town hall meetings to educate employees about their workplace rights.
“We believe these are basic processes that respect the rights of federal unions and allow employees who wish to join their unions to do so simply and efficiently,” said National President Tony Reardon. “This guidance understands that strong unions improve the workplace by providing employees with the opportunity to join with their coworkers and share their collective ideas for improving their federal agencies.”
NTEU Stops Agency from Eliminating AWS
NTEU recently won an important victory preventing the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) from terminating alternative work schedules (AWS) at a Maryland training location represented by Chapter 338.
Management at FLETC Cheltenham (Md.) claimed that AWS was causing increased costs and decreased productivity, although the work schedules had been in place for 17 years. After two unsuccessful bargaining sessions over the AWS article in the NTEU contract, the dispute went to the Federal Service Impasses Panel (FSIP). Management had to prove that AWS was having an “adverse agency impact.” NTEU countered this argument by demonstrating that AWS had actually saved FLETC money and productivity did not decline.
NTEU won the case and employees were able to keep their AWS schedules. But this is not the first case of its kind the union has won. This victory follows similar union wins on behalf of Customs and Border Protection employees at ports where management sought to terminate AWS schedules.