Chapter 272 News Bulletin

From John T. Wulu, Jr., Ph.D.
Interim President, HHS-HRSA-NTEU Chapter 272:

Chapter 272 interim leadership is relatively new, but has been resolute in efforts to revitalize the union as well as work toward enhancing labor-management partnering relationship at HRSA. Below are some of the progressive things we have done or continuing to do to augment the value of the union.

· Representing the Chapter at the proposed DHHS consolidated term bargaining contract meetings in which we have been working to expand flexi-place/AWS, among others; The new contract negotiations are currently ongoing;
· Launching Mini-Informational Series sessions which have included contract negotiation updates, primer on overtime laws, employee rights discussion, and legislative updates;
· Working on plans for subsequent Mini-Informational Series in which local area members of Congress and other authorities would participate and present on topics of interest to bargaining unit employees;
· Meeting with NTEU National President Colleen Kelley to introduce myself, and to ask for unwavering and sustained support from NTEU National of federal employees that we represent;
· Meeting with bargaining unit employees and members of Chapter 272 to discuss grievances or labor-related issues of concern to them in the workplace or work environment;
· Meeting with management sources concerning inquiries or grievances on personnel issues, per request by bargaining unit employees;
· Building an interim leadership team of volunteer leaders (about 90% complete) for Chapter 272—searching for Executive Vice President, Chief Steward, and Stewards for HAB and MCHB; Organizational chart of the interim leadership team will soon be shared;
· Planning for a series of meetings with interim leadership team;
· Developing strategy for workshop training sessions for union representatives who have volunteered so that they can serve Chapter 272 effectively and efficiently at HRSA; and
· Working out details of establishing regular office hours for the union and hope to be able to announce this soon.