This is an update regarding the status of our upcoming Contract Negotiations with the Command regarding making changes to the current Negotiated Labor Management Agreement (NLMA), or bargaining agreement.
Currently, our Union Contract Negotiations Committee (CNC) is working hard to complete our Union Proposal regarding these negotiations. The current deadline for submission of our complete Union Proposal to the Command is 5 Dec 2016, only about 3 weeks from now. The Command has indicated that they will need approximately 2 months to review our Union Proposal and develop their own negotiating position. So, as of now it looks like contract negotiations will begin on or around February 2017.
The Union Proposal will be comprehensive and extensive, covering a wide range of matters included in our current NLMA and even proposing some new Articles. This is being done to negotiate and incorporate into a revised NLMA better protections and rights for our bargaining unit members in a variety of different areas that are members have indicated they want addressed. These include, but are not limited to, such matters as Duty Hours, Telework, Leave and Absence, EEO, and Merit Promotions, to name just a few.
Because of the large number of issues being addressed, we do not expect these contract negotiations to be accomplished quickly. We would rather do a good job in these negotiations, as opposed to simply trying to negotiate as quickly as possible.
The Union will keep our members informed of the general status of this negotiation process, as we move forward. Please keep in mind that only our dues-paying union members will be able to vote to approve/disapprove any proposed new NLMA. This is something you might want to remind your non-union coworkers when trying to get them to sign up to join the Union.
If you have any questions regarding these negotiations please contact me at:
Email: paul.j.veselenak.civ@mail.mil or Phone: (586) 282-6102
Paul Veselenak
President, AFGE Local 1658
