After a long and arduous 2 years the Union Contract Negotiation Committee (CNC) presented our Union Proposal for a revised Contract to management. The proposed Contract was based on other union contracts with other federal agencies, e.g. SSA, VA; we also took the best from our current contract and incorporated that into this proposal. I want to remind our Union Members that this is an opening position not a final product, we now head to the negotiating table to hammer out an agreement with management. That negotiation process is expected to begin in February 2017, and may last up to a year. The entire Union Proposal is attached for those interested in reading it.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF UNION PROPOSAL (DATED DECEMBER 5, 2016)
I. Union Proposal Description/Background
A. RESPONSIVE (based on membership input)
B. COMPREHENSIVE (covers all NLMA Articles)
C. STRENGTHENS PROTECTIONS FOR EMPLOYEES
i. Establishes Defined Procedures
ii. Sets Time Limits for Actions
iii. Tied to Statutes/Regulations
iv. Lists Specific Employee Rights
v. Provides Expanded Union/Employee Access to Data
II. Key NLMA Articles
A. Article 3 (Unit Designation) – Includes Term/Probationary Employees in Bargaining Unit
B. Article 5(Employee Rights) – Lists Personal Rights/Prohibited Personnel Practices
i. Protects Employee Privacy, Security, Personal Beliefs
ii. Timely Compensation
iii. Whistleblower Protection
iv. Right to Representation
C. Article 9 (Deployment) – Confirms Employee Rights when Deployed **
D. Article 14 (Wellness Program)- Establish Employee Wellness Program **
E. Article 15 (Health/Safety)
i. Specific procedures to report, evaluate & abate unsafe/unhealthy workplaces
ii. Addresses specific unhealthy conditions (asbestos, mold, poor air quality, etc.)
F. Article 19 (Hours of Work)
i. Maintains Compressed Work (CWS) and 4/10 Schedules as options
ii. Establishes New Flextime Schedules for Basic 8 Hour Work Schedule
iii. Establish flexible lunch hours between 1100-1300 hrs
G. Article 20 (Leave & Absence) – Cancellation of AWOL if Med Docs are Provided
H. Article 22 (Telework)
i. Prohibit arbitrary or blanket restrictions on telework days
ii. Equal treatment for both telework & non-telework employees
iii. Distinguish between short-term and long-term medical telework
I. Article 23 (Holidays) – Admin Leave for Installation Closed the day before/after Holiday
J. Article 24 (Travel)
i. Cites NLMA, along with JTR & applicable Travel Regs, as prevailing
ii. Provides alternate Reduced Per Diem Rates for Long-Term TDY
iii. Establishes conditions to be met before application of Reduced Per Diem
K. Article 25 (Work Environment Release)
i. Establish release points for Outdoor Temperature for Summer (Humidity)
ii. Establish release points for Outdoor Temperature for Winter (Wind Chill)
L. Article 31 (Incentive Awards)
i. More frequent Awards
ii. Delegation of Award Approval to lower levels
M. Article 32 (Merit Promotion)
i. Defines when Competitive vs. Non-Competitive Selection will apply
ii. Defines when Priority Consideration will apply.
iii. Establishes/lists detailed procedures for Merit Promotion/Selection
N. Article 37 (FMLA) – Increases FMLA Leave to up to 20 weeks/year **
O. Article 40 (Disciplinary & Adverse Actions – addresses Counseling Actions
P. Article 41 (EEO)
i. Broadens Union’s right to obtain EEO-related data/info
ii. Addresses sexual harassment & reasonable accommodations issues
iii. Addresses pregnancy-related issues
Q. Article 43 (Grievance Mediation) – Allows use of Mediation for Dispute Resolution **
R. Article 45 (Miscellaneous)
i. Expanded healthy food options
ii. Liability limits for Government Owned Vehicle Accidents (GOV) accidents
** – Designates New Contract Article
III. CONCLUSION
A. This is a PROPOSAL, yet to be negotiated.
B. Expect changes during negotiations.
C. Expect possible extended negotiations.
D. The Union will provide general updates during negotiations.
ONLY DUES-PAYING UNION MEMBERS CAN VOTE TO APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE ANY NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT!!
View the entire proposal here:
AFGE 1658 Draft Negotiation Proposal
