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.
| Joining Bonus Extended to 12/31/2010 - $50.00 |
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 Charlotte, NC 2011. More information will be coming.
Carl Warren |
