SWINE FLU Memoraundum of Understanding
Click here to download (H1N1_MOU_SSA_AFGE.pdf)
Questions and Answers on 2009 H1N1 Influenza
A Vaccine Safety
The 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine is expected to have a similar safety profile as seasonal flu vaccines, which have a very good safety track record. Click here to Read More
An Open Letter from the Members of AFGE Local 3627 to the President.
Click here to download (PayRaise2009PayPetition.pdf)
2010 AFGE Local 3627 Meeting will be
held in Tampa FL.
More details to follow.
AFGE is keeping you informed
See the article Think Twice First Campaign Article on the Current News
FERS Employees to Get Credit for Unused Sick Leave:
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) scored another victory when the House last week passed a bill that would allow federal employees covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to get paid for their unused sick leave. Unlike those in the older Civil Service Retirement System, FERS employees currently do not receive credit for their unused sick leave in their pension calculations. Under the bill, the FERS employees who retire within the first three years of the enactment of the bill would get credit for 75 percent of their unused sick leave. Those retiring later would get credit for all unused sick leave.
The bill would also automatically enroll new federal employees in the Thrift Savings Plan. Currently, new employees have to enroll in the TSP, but many of them find the explanations about the TSP during their employee orientations confusing and decide not to enroll, inadvertently losing out on the agency matches to their contributions, including the one percent of salary that agencies are required to provide to all FERS employees with a TSP account.
New Law Grants Sick Leave Benefits, Locality Pay: The 2010 Defense Authorization Act signed by President Obama also contains several provisions relating to federal employees. The law:
- Allows workers under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to credit 50 percent of their unused sick leave toward their annuity. After a four-year phase-in period, FERS employees will receive full credit for unused sick leave.
- Moves federal employees in Alaska, Hawaii Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Island to the locality pay system and phases out their cost-of-living adjustments.
- Permits federal agencies to re-employ federal retirees on a limited, part-time basis without forcing them to take a cut in their annuity checks.
- Gives employees who work for the District of Columbia Courts, the Pretrial Services Agency, the Department of Corrections, and the Adult Probation and Parole Services credit for their time in service before the agencies were transferred to the federal government.
Over the past week, the local has received a number of reports that individual offices in Region 4 have been altering flexiplace plans. Some offices are reducing the number of days an employee can participate, as compared to past flexiplace periods, and others have indicated that agency-issued laptops will be required, and only a limited number of laptops will be provided.
If your office has been impacted by these, or other, changes please advise your state vice president or other officer in your local.
On the Council 215 Conference Call on March 12, 2007, Council President Marshall noted that Region 1 (the Boston Region), was limiting flexiplace because of DSI. A grievance had been filed by the Local in that region. See the Council page for more news.
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT
On the Council 215 conference call, President James Marshall noted that the General Council had been briefed on the budget situation. SSA had received enough to avoid furloughs, but there would be a near total freeze on hiring except for high priority jobs. There will be some overtime available, but not as much as in past years.
Mr. Astrue, the new Commissioner of SSA, has indicated he will meet with President Marshall, and he wants to create a better working environment with the Union.
The Council has requested bargaing on contining legal education for attorneys. The Union has not received a response at this time. An arbitrator has been assigned for the performance plan grievance. A discussion of the new appraisal system revealed that in some offices paralegals are being required to pull cases, answer telephones, or distribute mail, but they are not being allowed down time for those duties. If other duties are assigned, the employee's supervisor should explain ow doing those other duties will impact the employee's evaluations.
The call also revealed that some offices are assigning more difficult cases to the flexiplace workers.
The Annual meeting will be held in Pigeon Forge TN in June 2009. More information will be coming.
Carl Warren |
