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Union Cites Double Standard on Privacy Violations
July 26, 2010: NFFE 1998 filed a grievance charging Passport Headquarters' with disregard for maintaining an applicant's privacy at the same time the agency is dismissing employees for the same offense.
Colin Walle Steps Down from Union Presidency
July 20, 2010: Two-term President Colin Walle retired today from his Union post to accept the CSM job at the Minneapolis Passport Agency. During his decade as a national officer, Walle helped established Local 1998 as one of the most active federal employee unions in the nation. VP Rob Arnold will step in to serve out the remainder of Walle's term.
Desk Seating ULP Resolved in Washington, DC
July 16, 2010: Passport Services and NFFE Local 1998 settled an Unfair Labor Practice charge filed by the Union in January after Management at the Washington Passport Agency unilaterally made changes in the Passport Specialists seating arrangements.
Union Opposes Changes to Boston Gliding Schedule
July 15, 2010: The Union filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge after Management at the Boston Passport Agency unilaterally terminated a "Gliding Schedule" (a Flexible Work Schedule wherein employees can arrive up to 30 minutes late and then make up the time at the end of the day). The Union also filed a grievance over the manner in which the Union was notified of the change.
Rob Arnold Selected as new NFFE National VP
July 13, 2010: NFFE Local 1998 Vice President Rob Arnold was selected to serve as one of seven NFFE National Vice Presidents, replacing NFFE Local 1998 President Colin Walle on the National Executive Council.
Unilateral 2010 ICG Changes Result in ULP Charge
July 6, 2010: Following up on unilateral changes in the 2009 Internal Controls Guidelines (ICG) - see June 23rd entry - the Union filed a ULP charge over unilateral changes to the 2010 ICG that were also made without bargaining with the Union.
Unfair Labor Practice Notice Posted by Management
June 23, 2010: Passport Services Management posted a notice acknowledging its obligation to bargain with NFFE Local 1998 over changes to the January 2009 Internal Controls Guidelines, after the Union had filed a ULP. The FLRA approved the settlement terms. Management will now bargain over the Union's proposals.
Two Union Reps Receive Intense Negotiations Training
June 14, 2010: NFFE Local 1998 Senior Steward (PPT/CO) Corrina Davis and Union Steward (PPT/CG) Jeri Titus began an intensive week-long Federal Employees Collective Bargaining course at the IAMAW's Winpisinger Education and Technology Center.
Union Pushes for Expanded Work Schedule Options
June 10, 2010: NFFE Local 1998 has been advocating for the expansion of Compressed Work Schedule (CWS) options in Passport Services. Union reps at the Boston and New Orleans offices have negotiated to impasse over proposals to increase CWS options for employees; the disputes have been referred to the national level. The Union also distributed a survey at the Charleston (SC) Passport Center to gauge employee interest and preferences for a CWS local agreement. Union reps in other offices are also seeking to negotiate local CWS agreements. In addition, the Union advocated for continuing to allow supervisors and managers to work CWS on a Department of State "sounding board" discussion.
Grievance Filed over AWOL Improperly Charged
May 21, 2010: NFFE Local 1998 VP Rob Arnold filed a Step 2 Grievance with Passport Services HQ to contest AWOL being charged to an employee.
ULP Filed over Weingarten Rights Violation
May 12, 2010: The Union filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge against Passport Services Management for refusing to allow an employee to exercise her Weingarten Rights. The employee was required to meet with 4 managers who refused to allow the employee to have a Union representative present, despite her request.
Union Reps Attend IAMAW/NFFE Legislative Conference
May 12, 2010: NFFE Local 1998 sent Rob Arnold and Colin Walle to the Union's annual "Lobby Week" in Washington, DC. The delegates heard informative speeches from a number of Congressional Representatives, Senators, and other speakers, and also visited Capitol Hill to express concerns about a number of issues affecting working people.
Local 1998 Receives Membership Increase Award
May 11, 2010: NFFE recognized six locals with an Organizing Award for membership increases in 2009, and Local 1998 was one of the recipients! Membership has increased from 353 to 450 members in 16 months.
Chicago Work Schedule Dispute Resolved
May 7, 2010: The Union and Management cancelled an arbitration hearing scheduled for June 9th in Chicago after settling a dispute over the termination of the 4/10 Compressed Work Schedule on the night shift that the Union had grieved in October 2009. As a result, Chicago now has a local CWS agreement that transparently sets out the rules, starting in June there will be 4/10 CWS schedules on the day shift, the twenty-two (22) affected employees will each receive $1800.00, and Management committed to a fair rotation of employees through assignments.
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