01/14/11 - Union News
Union Members Overwhelmingly Approve GAO's First Master Contract Agreement
GAO Union Members have overwhelmingly approved GAO's first major comprehensive Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), often referred to as the "master contract," between the Union--representing GAO's analysts and specialists--and GAO management. The Union's independent Elections Committee certified the vote, which resulted in 98 percent of voting Union members choosing to ratify the agreement, with 72 percent of Union members participating in the vote. The vote follows efforts to inform Union members about the contents of the CBA, including brownbag briefings, Union communiqués, a dedicated webpage, and numerous personal explanations.
By legally defining the relationship between the Union and GAO, the CBA marks an important milestone in the ability for working GAO analysts to have a voice in how GAO manages its employees. The agreement provides for greater consultation and transparency between the Union and management regarding issues such as:
- performance management,
- overtime and comp time,
- telework and maxiflex scheduling,
- staffing,
- organizational restructuring,
- employee and management rights,
- …and many other areas.
Now that GAO Union members have voted to ratify the CBA, it will be signed by the management and Union bargaining teams. Then, it goes through a legal review process by the agency to determine whether there are any conflicts between the contract language and existing law or applicable federal regulation, as provided by law.
The Union and GAO Management are working collaboratively on a plan for introducing the new comprehensive collective bargaining agreement to all employees, including an official signing ceremony and training. Please stay tuned for full details. E-mail your questions to gaoanalysts@ifpte.org, or contact any one of your elected Union representatives, found at this link: GAO Union Contacts.
Signed,
The Officers, Delegates and Volunteers of the GAO Employees Organization,
IFPTE Local 1921
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