9/30/11 - Union News
Clarifications on Status of RIF Discussions
On Friday, September 16, GAO management informed the union that it is considering planning a Reduction in Force (RIF). It has not yet informed the union that it is planning to conduct a RIF. The GAO Employees Organization has begun discussion of alternatives to RIFs, as provided for in the Master Collective Bargaining Agreement, based on the agency's announced consideration. 30 days before the agency can send out RIF notices to individual employees, it must inform the union of the geographic area and approximate number of staff included in a RIF. The agency may inform the bargaining unit the same day it informs the union, which is what we expect to happen if a RIF is announced. An individual employee cannot be laid off until at least 60 days after receiving an individual RIF notice, and thus 90 days after informing the union of a RIF. Again, at this point, management has not informed the union of a specific plan for a RIF.
Updated Locations for October 5 Briefing; Please Share your Questions
The union has managed to find larger rooms in many locations for the briefing on October 5 from 3:15 to 4:30 (ET), 12:15 to 1:30 (PT). The current rooms for all locations are as follows:
- Headquarters Auditorium (7420)
- Atlanta Main VTC
- Boston Training Room
- Chicago Main VTC
- Dallas Main VTC
- Dayton Main VTC
- Denver Main VTC
- Huntsville Main VTC
- Los Angeles Main VTC/Training Room
- Norfolk Main VTC
- Richland Main VTC
- San Francisco Main VTC
- Seattle Main VTC
While we have expanded the number of phone lines available, it costs money to use a large number of lines on the dial-in. Please, if you are able, attend the briefing in one of the rooms identified above. If you cannot attend from one of the identified rooms, the teleconference number is 800-369-1721, and the passcode is 8079095
Please send any questions you would like the union to answer to communications@gaoemployees.org and we will do our best to address those questions at our briefing.
Nominations For Vice President Positions Close Tonight
Please let us know by midnight ET / 9pm PT if you would like to nominate yourself for one of our Open Vice President positions, listed below. Today is the last day for nominations for the Vice Presidential elections in 2011. The GAO Employees Organization is holding an election for our three Vice Presidents this October. All three officers will be responsible for helping with the administration of the organization. They will also serve as voting members of the Assembly, our organization's deliberative body. The positions are as follows:
- Vice President for Grievance and Dispute Resolution
- Vice President for Field Operations
- Vice President for Membership
For more information on the responsibilities of the Vice Presidents, please see the GAO Employees Organization Constitution article IV (p8).
Any members in good standing can nominate themselves for the Vice President for Grievance and Dispute Resolution or the Vice President for Membership. Any members in good standing from the field can nominate themselves for the Vice President for Field Operations. Individuals who wish to run but are not yet members may sign up to become members. If at least two candidates file for one of the offices, we will hold an election, via electronic ballot. If three or more candidates file for one office, instant run-off voting will be used in the election. Successful candidates take office in November and serve two-year terms.
Other Open Assembly Positions: FMA and PDP-Field
Congratulations to Arkelga Braxton, the former Assembly delegate representing FMA, on his promotion to Band III. This promotion removes him from our bargaining unit and thus from his position in the union. Therefore, we are seeking a volunteer interested in filling the FMA position. If you are an interested, FMA analyst in headquarters, please consider nominating yourself. In addition, the Assembly delegate seat for PDP employees in the field remains open. Please send all questions or nominations to elections@gaoemployees.org.
Reminder: Email Deletions Begin October 1
As a reminder, beginning October 1, this Saturday, Outlook email older than 1 year and 45 days, that is to say, prior to August 16, 2010, will be deleted from employees' Outlook inboxes. On November 1, the time frame will be reduced to 1 year and 30 days (October 2, 2010 on that date). And beginning December 1, all emails older than 1 year will be deleted. Please take appropriate steps to make sure important emails are saved. Further information can be found in the agency reminder in GAO Notices.
Seeking Volunteers for Third Annual Union Membership Meeting
The third Annual GAO Employees Organization Membership Meeting will be taking place early this December. We need your help to organize the event. If you are interested in helping out, please contact communications@gaoemployees.org.
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