Ames Federal Employees Union

I’ve uploaded the latest version of the AFEU Constitution (that governs the inner operations of the local, including elections, position descriptions, etc.)

Word from the UGSOA International President (Acting) is that the guards fired last week have been re-instated and an interim agreement reached with SecTek. I’m sure we’re all glad that level heads prevailed, and that Ames is safe and secure with these experienced officers at their posts.

What about firing 9 guards for their involvement in a picketing event, particularly guards active in their Union, does not sound like Union-busting? The (previous) employees are now picketing the Center and other contractors that are members of other locals are honoring and supporting the picketing.

In our discussions with the UGSOA local president and international president, the contract has been null and void for a while now.

For Civil Servants, however, make sure you do not get involved in any sort of work action as it is a violation of the law. But give the folks a smile and a wave as you enter. AFEU has a small solidarity fund to support the picketers with food and water, but so far they are well supplied and ready for the fight.

AFEU is also concerned about the possible short- and long-term impacts to the safety and security of employees at the Center. The fired guards are, by and large, the senior guards at the Center with significant experience and expertise.

A message from our Local’s President:

Dear Ames employees,

As you may be aware, the security guards that protect Ames Research Center at the various gates have been in negotiations with their employer, SecTek, which is under contract with ARC, for many months with no resolution to their union contract. Yesterday evening we were informed that the President of their local (UGSOA Local #403) was terminated for his Union activities, notably the informational picketing many of you may have seen outside the front gate. AFEU is very concerned about this action and is in touch with the their President and we will keep you informed. Note, however, that Ames CS employees are explicitly prohibited by law from any work action (strike, walkout) and we cannot represent Contractors to Ames, but we can show our solidarity with fellow labor activists fighting for reasonable working conditions. More news will be provided, as it develops.

– Paul K Davis, President, Ames Federal Employees Union (IFPTE local 30)

The Ames Federal Employees Union has requested negotiations of the NOMAD implementation at Ames Research Center in order to ensure that reasonable accommodations are provided for employees and the impact on their ability to perform their work is minimized. Employees with comments and concerns should address them to the VP for Negotiations or add comments to the blog.

—The request from the VP—

Dear Mike,

I hereby request I&I negotiations of the NOMAD e-mail and calendar system. Issues have come to light based on the town hall meeting on July 26, 2007. Theses include, but are not limited to,

1. cost - who will bear the burden of the $250/seat impact?
2. guarantees of platform support (Windows, Mac, Linux, other)
3. ensuring the privacy of e-mails
4. ensuring access from home and on travel
5. preserving e-mail forwarding for a sufficient duration
6. sending/receiving of attachments outside NASA
7. general reliability and employee responsibility and protections
8. contractual questions needing to be clarified (article V, sections 1,6,12,13)

Since ODIN will be responsible for the operation of NOMAD, some aspects of this are covered by the negotiated agreement of Aug. 11, 2000.

We hope that management will carry out negotiations in good faith, and make appropriate arrangements  to mitigate the impact on employees of the new policy.

Sincerely,
David