March 25, 2011

Dear Union folks,

2011 is shaping up to be  a great year for IFPTE Local 8A. We have sent representatives from the three chapters back to Washington DC to talk to members of Congress. Costs were shared by the Union, by Management, and by the individuals themselves. This is a great opportunity to get our message out to the decision makers. Past efforts contributed, for example, to the well-deserved demise of the infamous NSPS personnel system.

I am traveling monthly (at Management's expense) back to Washington DC to participate in the Department of Commerce Labor-Management Council. These Councils are forming partnerships where the Unions are consulted to help develop problem solutions before final decisions on the workplace are made, not after the fact as has been the tradition. All three Chapters will be involved in partnerships in some form in the coming year. If you have ever wanted to try and make government work better, you  now have the chance to actually make it happen.

Led by (then) President Chris Boucher, Shannon Fitzgerald, and Karen Teig as lead negotiators, NMFS Chapter negotiated a long overdue new collective bargaining agreement.  Chris and this year's President, Rebecca Reuter, were the NMFS representatives to Congress.

Do not be surprised if this Chapter also gains national consultation rights. The Union will get the opportunity to comment on any work condition change that the national headquarters is considering before it happens. However, we urgently need new steward volunteers for this Chapter. Local 8A will provide you with the necessary training and you get the chance to help out your fellow employees at a critical time in their lives.

USACE Chapter continues its membership growth.  Dave Spicer, Chapter President, is making sure that the planned new facilities in Seattle will meet employee needs. Vice-President James Drexler has been handling some difficult personnel relocation questions in Spokane and, along with Steward Stephanie Stirling, will represent the USACE Chapter back in Washington DC.

Acting ERD Chapter President, Nickie Scillo, has taken the lead in getting Union representation on the the NOAA campus tenant board. Nickie continues to fight for the right of employees to have choice in their personal computers.

A special thanks to Dan Decker who lead the new website project. Take time to explore it and all its great features. Way to go, Dan!

In Solidarity,

Bill Lehr
President IFPTE Local 8A