The AFEU Constitution has been updated, per a vote today of the membership. The two changes do the following:
The South Bay Labor Council (AFEU is an affiliate) has been fighting for a living wage for employees who work at the SJC airport. It is shocking that employees who regularly work inside the security zone as “passenger service workers” (the folks who help out the disabled with wheelchairs and electric carts, for example) are paid an average of $16,640 a year and they do not receive health care or other benefits. Not only is this unfair and inappropriate, it poses a risk to the security of passengers and planes.
Read the full report: http://www.buildingabetterairport.com/other/BBAReport.pdf
And more details at: http://www.buildingabetterairport.com
(Note that San Francisco International [SFO] has a living wage ordinance and employers saw an 11% reduction in turnover of these employees. Less turnover results in reduced costs and increased airport security.)
AFEU has two agreements regarding EPCS (I believe there is a third in the works, our VP for Negotiations would know better) that you should be aware of when we enter the performance evaluation period.
The Record of Negotiations from 2004
The settlement from the 2005 Union Grievance
It would behoove you to read both so that you understand your rights under these agreements, and the appropriate articles of the main Contract would also be a good idea.
I strongly encourage employees to raise concerns but to sign their performance evaluation. The signature is simply stating receipt of the evaluation, not that you agree with the evaluation. Of course, you have 30 days to grieve (and 45 days to file with EEO, if appropriate).
(sent from our ACAP rep)
Are you tired of rising gas prices and increasing traffic? Do you want to do more for the environment? Then make a New Year’s resolution to start using mass transit to get to work once or more per week. Ames has a Shuttle Bus for transit commuters that meets designated trains at the Mt. View Caltrain Station in the mornings and afternoons (see http://js.arc.nasa.gov/jsl/shuttle.html). VTA also runs the #51 bus from the train station to Ames and back.
As a Civil Servant, you are eligible for $100 PER MONTH off your monthly transit ticket! For example, the net cost of a ticket between San Francisco and Mt. View per month is only $52.50/month after the subsidy has been applied. Think about how little gasoline you can buy with $52.50 these day. This subsidy applies to tickets purchased for almost any transit agency in the region.
You don’t have to use mass transit every day — even commuting by mass transit only one or two days per week, it still makes sense to purchase a subsidized monthly ticket. Do the math!
The Transit Subsidy Program is run by the NASA Ames Exchange. Transit tickets are sold at Beyond Galileo, in the Ames Cafeteria. Civil servants can purchase monthly tickets during the last week of each month receiving a $100/month subsidy. To qualify for the $100/month subsidy you must fill out an initial application form in advance.
Don’t miss out on this free $1200/year benefit! For more information, visit: http://js.arc.nasa.gov/jsl/tickets.html
The membership voted on Dec. 5 to adopt a set of revisions to the Constitution that clarified rules on elections procedures, requiring nominations and acceptance of nominations to be at one of the two membership meetings preceding an election. Also, special elections no longer allow write-in candidates, allowing for election by acclimation when a candidate for an office is running unopposed, possibly reducing the work required to run special elections.
Members,
I am writing this personal message to you, encouraging you to donate to the charities of your choice through the Combined Federal Campaign (this is the last week, the opportunity ends Nov. 16.) Why, beyond the obvious reasons to donate to charity?
If you haven’t donated through the CFC, you may not know this, but there is a hidden benefit–you choose whether to share your name/address/e-mail with the charity. Too many times, I’ve donated to a good cause only to receive a “thank you gift” followed by letter after letter asking me to donate more money. CFC not only sends your donation pre-tax automatically, it saves you from being on your favorite charity’s mailing list.
– Chris Knight, Chief Steward, AFEU, IFPTE #30
(p.s. I have a confession; in past years I donated directly to my favorite charities, but now that I know of this additional benefit, I’m going to make this a yearly practice!)
Excellent article in Federal Computer Week, published Monday. Good thing AFEU has requested negotiations of the implementation of HSPD-12; we hope to ensure that no Civil Servant has to provide any more than is required by law. More likely to come, soon.
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.