NTEU Bulletin 2/27/07

Subject: NTEU e-Bulletin 2/27/07
Inside this Issue: February 27, 2007Top Stories: Over 300 NTEU Members Descend on the Nation's CapitalHeadlines: For Energy, a Budget Not Without Merit Get Involved: NTEU Backs Retiree Health Care BillNew on NTEU.org: NTEU Salutes the Military
Top Stories
NTEU Legislative Conference BeginsOver 300 NTEU Members Descend on the Nation's CapitalWhen one federal employee is disrespected, all of NTEU is disrespected. This spirit of unity among the 30 NTEU-represented agencies enables the union to overcome challenges and inequities in federal workplaces, NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley told a crowd of more than 300 NTEU members from around the country at start of the 2007 Legislative Conference. The theme of this year's conference, "United for Progress," was recently exemplified by nationwide get out the vote efforts held by NTEU members leading up to last year's election. This important work helped bring positive change to Capitol Hill, said Kelley.
“We now have more pro-federal employee members in the House and Senate than we have had in many years,” said President Kelley. "Personifying this base of support," she said, was the morning's guest speaker House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). Rep. Hoyer, a long-time advocate of federal employee issues, emphasized the importance of a collective voice in magnifying federal employee issues NTEU advances with lawmakers.
"Policymakers are motivated by their constituents," Hoyer said. "When [NTEU] goes to the Hill, it's important for lawmakers to know there is a cadre of support behind them." Hoyer vowed to continue his fight to close the federal pay gap, ensure fair competitions for federal work and keep health insurance premiums affordable.
The annual three-day conference includes lobbying on Capitol Hill, workshops on legislative issues and a candlelight vigil honoring fallen Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers.
For more on NTEU's Legislative Conference, including detailed information on the issues members will be advancing with their representatives, click here or visit .
NTEU Backs Retiree Health Care BillNTEU-supported legislation was introduced in the House that would allow federal retirees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for their health insurance premiums.The Premium Conversion Bill (H.R. 1110) was introduced by Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) with 28 bipartisan co-sponsors. A similar bill in the last Congress drew 340 cosponsors.While active federal employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay premiums, legislation is needed to bring this same benefit to retirees. During the past six years, cost of living adjustments have ranged from 1.3 to 3.5 percent while health care premiums have more than doubled. If passed, this legislation would save the average federal retiree approximately $820 a year. To learn how you can help, click here or visit .
NTEU Asks: Who's Minding Your Peanut Butter?Federal employees and the American public can visit NTEU.org to learn about a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposal that poses critical health issues. A new page on NTEU's web site details the FDA's plan to close more than half of its 13 regional labs. After reading about the misguided plan, visitors can click on a link to send a letter to their representatives opposing it.In recent weeks, NTEU has mounted an aggressive public awareness campaign about the dangers of such a plan, resulting in letters of opposition signed by nearly 50 bipartisan members of Congress. FDA can count on the outrage intensifying as NTEU continues to build on its campaign against the plan. Visit www.nteu.org/fdalabs/fdalabs.aspx.
NTEU Chapter 208 Hosts a Legislative Action DayNTEU Chapter 208 (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission) flexed its political muscle earlier this month when members gathered during lunchtime to prepare more than 600 letters for their congressional representatives.
"Everyone came away with a better appreciation for the good work that NTEU does," said Ron Langstaff, the chapter's Region III vice-president, who coordinated the event. "We've heard nothing but positive comments with regards to the effort from both members and non-members alike."
The letters to Illinois members of Congress covered the following four key issues:
• Boosting federal contributions to health insurance premiums.• Eliminating the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision, which unfairly reduce Social Security benefits for certain federal employees.• Closing the funding gap between military and civilian pay for reservists on extended tours of duty.• Nuclear Regulatory Commission funding.
Chapter 208 members will hand deliver the letters to representatives during this week's NTEU Legislative Conference. To learn how you can help, click here or visit .
Deadline Extended for 2007 Sammie NominationsConsidering nominating a colleague for a Service to America Medal, or Sammie? You now have an extra week to submit your nomination form. The Partnership for Public Service has extended the deadline until March 8 for individuals to recognize the accomplishments of an exceptional government worker with this prestigious award and accompanying cash prize. Make sure your Federal Employee of the Year gets the public attention he or she deserves. For details and a nomination form, visit www.servicetoamericamedals.org.HeadlinesFor Energy, a Budget Not Without Merit Washington Post, February 23, 2007Bonuses are back at the Energy Department.
The department got caught in a budget squeeze late last year when Congress failed to complete the annual spending bills funding the government on time. Worried that they would not be able to make ends meet and might even have to lay off employees, officials suspended bonuses normally paid at year's end until Congress wrapped up the fiscal 2007 budget.
Last week, President Bush signed a budget bill that included funds for Energy, and Secretary Samuel W. Bodman sent a memo to the workforce saying "this new law has allowed us to lift the 'hold' on performance-based awards and discretionary pay adjustments."
The hold on bonuses caused some stir in the department. The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents about 1,700 Energy employees, had filed two grievances over the matter. Yesterday, union president Colleen M. Kelley said she was pleased that the bonuses were back on track.For the complete story, click here or visit .New on NTEU.orgNTEU Salutes the MilitaryNTEU is showing our pride for members and their relatives who are serving in the U.S. military. A new page on the union's web site, NTEU.org, features profiles and photos of the brave men and women in active duty, the National Guard and military reserves. In addition, look for periodic spotlights in the NTEU e-Bulletin and a special spread in next month's Bulletin. This week, NTEU is spotlighting Jorge Ortiz, Command Sergeant Major in the California National Guard and member of NTEU Chapter 123 (CBP Calexico). This certified jumpmaster is the senior enlisted adviser to the Battalion Commander, responsible for the health and morale of 680 fellow soldiers. Ortiz is presently conducting pre-deployment training in southern California in preparation for deployment to Kuwait. To read more about Ortiz and other members of the military, click here or visit . If you or a family member is serving and you wish to submit a profile, e-mail NTEU.
NTEU’s Mission: To organize federal employees to work together to ensure that every federal employee is treated with dignity and respect. The NTEU e-Bulletin is a weekly electronic newsletter published by the National Treasury Employees Union for its members. To sign up for the e-Bulletin, unsubscribe or change your subscription preferences, click here or log on to . The NTEU e-Bulletin is a member-only benefit, so members must be registered on the NTEU web site to access this page.
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