Union and Agency Reach Agreement on PIP Meetings

January 20, 2012: A matter that was about to go to hearing was settled amicably between the agency and Union.  Passport Services now agrees that employees are allowed to request and have union representatives along during performance-related meetings when the performance issue is the already subject of a grievance or unfair labor practice charge.

Awards Agreement Nets Improvements in Tucson

January,20, 2012: In response to an information request from WPC Senior Steward Joel Warne, the agency reported that, since negotiations on a WPC awards agreement were completed, employees covered by Local 1998 received $11,700 out of the $18,700 2011 WPC awards budget.

SF Agency and Union Agree on Duty Officer Policy

January 13, 2012: In collaboration with Local Management, San Francisco Senior Steward Gil Yap signed off on a new Duty Officer Agreement.  The main issue to be resolved was equitable assignment of after-hours cases.

Washington Management Refuses to Negotiate Seating

January 13, 2012: A Washington Passport Agency employee was ejected from the cubicle she had occupied for years.  Since the agency was unwilling to negotiate her seating, as it had with most other employees, Vice President Boyd Hinton filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge.

Agency and Local 1998 Settle ULP Dispute

January 11, 2012: The FLRA brokered a settlement in a long-standing dispute between the agency and Local 1998.  Thee Union had made proposals regarding multiple CPC changes in 2011 work processes.  When the agency later reneged or refused to bargain the matters, Vice President Boyd Hinton filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge. 

Changes to 2012 Performance Standards Denounced

December 15, 2011: The Union filed a grievance over changes announced for the 2012 rating cycle.  The dispute centers on whether the new standards for Passport Specialists, as stated by the agency, can be objectively applied, and whether the changes allow for adequate time for employees to perform the required tasks and still detect passport fraud.

Union Requests Details on New Performance Standards

November 30, 2011: Local 1998 requested the presence of an Office of Adjudication representative at a pre-arranged conference call between the Union and Management, so that changed for 2012 could be fully explained.  No representative attended and no answers were received.

Delayed Promotion Prompts Union Grievance

November 22, 2011.  A Passport Specialist achieved promotion to grade 11.  A grievance filed by the Union maintains that the change came well past the date of her demonstrated readiness for higher grade level.

Union Veteran's Day Newsletter Is Hot Off the Presses

November 10, 2011: Featuring articles from Atlanta, Seattle, Portsmouth, and Charleston, NFFE1998's newsletter shipped out today, for Monday arrival at all agencies.  The online version can be located here.

New Officers Bolster Local's Ability to Represent You

November 3, 2011: Vice President Boyd Hinton announced the ratification of three new officers to fill existing vacant slots.  Local 1998 extends a hearty welcome to newly-elected officers Edward Gonzalez (Miami), Robin Pickens (Colorado) and Diana Dibble (the San Diego agency's first officer).

Local Alerts OSHA to San Francisco Safety Hazard

October 24, 2011: Following completion of an office renovation, San Francisco Union Rep Gil Yap questioned the relative darkness of the employee restrooms.  When local inquiries yielded no results, Yap contacted the Occupational Safety and Health Association.  CORRECTION: OSHA conducted a inspection of the facilities, but found no violation by the agency, as no minimum standards exists for lighting.

IAMAW Accepting College Scholarship Applications

October 23, 2011: The 2012 Union Plus Scholarship Program will provide $150,000 in scholarships to union members and their dependents.
Applicants are required to demonstrate academic ability and submit essays of no more than 500 words describing why they are deserving of a union scholarship.  The application deadline is January 31, 2012.  Visit this  link to find applications and benefit eligibility information.

Local Welcomes New Law Enforcement Employees

October 4, 2011: NFFE 1998 grew a little today.  PPT Headquarters announced that the paralegals of SA-19's Law Enforcement office are officially part of our bargaining unit.  Led by their new Senior Steward, Michael McPherson, these employees questioned their non-bargaining unit status until the results of a desk audit finally confirmed their view..

FLRA Sides With Union In Seattle Negotiability Appeal

September 20, 2011: Questions regarding employee rights to negotiate aspects of new office space were answered in a decision by the Federal Labor Relations Authority.  For 7 out of the 8 proposals in question, the FLRA determined Management was incorrect in declaring it had no duty to bargain.  The decision holds implications for future agency renovations.

Agency Provides Partial Time and Motion Data

September 3, 2011: National Union officers met in Seattle with the heads of the Management Production Working Group to discuss the results of the 2011 Time and Motion Study.  Passport Services shared the summaries from the study.  Union officers expressed doubts about some of the group's findings, and suggested a more comprehensive study.

PPT HQ: Daily Reminders Not For Disciplinary Purpose

September, 2011: The Union was assured by multiple Passport Headquarters officials that the answers given on the daily security quiz would never be used to justify disciplinary actions against employees,