NTEU Chapter 78 - Honesty, Integrity, Accountability

SUMMARY:

A House Committee has approved HR 994, a bill to extend he ability to pay health insurance premiums with pre-tax dollars to retired federal workers.

Last month I reported to you that a House sucommittee approved NTEU-supported legislation that would allow federal retirees to use pre-tax dollars to pay their FEHBP premiums. I am pleased to be able to update you with news of approval by the full House Goverment Reform Committee of this legislation - H.R. 994 - sponsored by Representative Tome (R-VA). Because this legislation changes tax law, it must also be considered by the House Ways and Means Committee before it goes to the floor for a vote. The Seanate has no yet acted on this matter.

Under current law, employees in the private and federal sector can allow their workers to pay health care premiums with pre-tax dollars. The inclusion of federal workers dates to 2000 in response to an NTEU initiative. However, in order for retirees also to participate in this benefit, Congress must pass legislation. it is estimated this legislation would save the average federal retiree $434 a year.

If you have any immediate questions, please contact the Legislation Department at 202.572.5500. I would appreciate it if you would please share this information to your chapter's retiree members.

Thank you.

Summary: NTEU is soliciting information regarding leave transfer denial for routine maternity leave.

Recently, a bargaining unit employee exhausted all available leave while on routine maternity leave, and she contacted her local Leave Transfer Coordinator to request leave transfer from her fellow employees. The local Leave Transfer Coordinator refused to solicit other employees because she did not categorized "routine maternity" as "personal or family emergency," as defined by Article 31 of the 2006 National Agreement.

On October 21, 2008, a local grievance was filed because the IRS's failure to proerly administer maternity leave violates Article 31, Section 2 of the 2006 National Agreement, which states "employees may apply for donated leave for maternity purposes." Currently, NTEU National is trying to determine whether this has occurred in othe chapters to evaluate how widespread the problem may be.

If you have a local grievance of this nature or have comments regarding leave transfers and maternity, please contact Lauren Glazier in the Negotiations Depatment, via e-mail at LaurenGlazier@nteu.org.

Summary: Earlier this year, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) proposed to abolish the time-in-graade regulations which have been in operation in one form or another for approximately 60 years and has decided to ignore all the opposition and announced that the Time-in-Grade (TIG) regulation will no longer be effective after March 8, 2009 - or approximately 120 days from Friday's announcement.

Recently, a bargaining unit employee exhausted all available leave while on routine maternity leave, and she contacted her local Leave Transfer Coordinator to request leave transfer from her fellow employees. The local Leave Transfer Coordinator refused to solicit other employees because she did not categorized "routine maternity" as "personal or family emergency," as defined by Article 31 of the 2006 National Agreement.

On October 21, 2008, a local grievance was filed because the IRS's failure to proerly administer maternity leave violates Article 31, Section 2 of the 2006 National Agreement, which states "employees may apply for donated leave for maternity purposes." Currently, NTEU National is trying to determine whether this has occurred in othe chapters to evaluate how widespread the problem may be.

If you have a local grievance of this nature or have comments regarding leave transfers and maternity, please contact Lauren Glazier in the Negotiations Depatment, via e-mail at LaurenGlazier@nteu.org.

Document Links:

1. TIGRegulations.doc
2. OPMFinalRuleTime-in-GradeRestrictions.pdf

SUMMARY: The Office of Special Counsel has just advised that the Hatch Act does not prohibit federal employees from wearing campaign t-shirts or buttons in the workplace after Election Day. Employees should act consistently with office dress codes, however..

Document Links:

1. WearingT-shirts-ButtonsPost-Election.doc