05/27/09 Communique

Help Improve GAO: Volunteer as a Union Representative on Management Initiatives
One of the greatest benefits of forming our new Union is that GAO analysts can have a direct impact in improving how work is done at GAO. To date, our Union has designated numerous GAO Union members to serve in various capacities to assist GAO. For example, we designated a representative to work with the Training Center’s Learning Board to oversee and provide guidance on setting learning and skill development priorities, make sure our curriculum meets GAO’s goals and needs, and identify emerging issues. We also designated a representative to work with the Cafeteria Procurement Panel to help select a new contractor for cafeteria and event services. In addition, we have representatives working on GAO’s management improvement initiatives to revise key engagement forms. Now GAO has asked our Union to designate additional members to assist with these management improvement initiatives, which can potentially improve how our work is done here at GAO -- such as enhancing staff development and managing our workload.

Volunteers are needed to assist with representation on the following initiatives:

• revising GAO’s Congressional Protocols, which help guide how GAO interacts with Congress,

• revising GAO’s Agency Protocols, which govern how GAO interacts with the agencies,

• considering long-term changes to GAO’s product line for reporting to the Congress and the American public,

• improving the PDP program by examining the existing support systems for PDP staff and structure of the Buddy Program,

• identifying and adapting unwritten rules into training systems, and

• identifying and expanding “communities of practice” and networks.

To volunteer, please click on our new “Help Wanted” section, where we will be posting these and other volunteer opportunities.

Upcoming Elections for GAO Union Representatives at IFPTE’s National Convention (August 10-13, 2009, Las Vegas, Nevada)
Our GAO Union is affiliated with the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), which is governed by its constituent locals. In addition to analysts at the GAO Employees Association, other IFPTE locals include NASA’s engineering staff, administrative law judges, and analysts at the Congressional Research Service.

As part of its governance structure, IFPTE holds a convention every three years, in which IFPTE locals come together to determine the leadership and direction of IFPTE. The convention is an opportunity to share best practices and lessons learned with other professionals, and to build community with professional and technical staff at other agencies. In addition, training sessions will be available for convention participants. The GAO Union Assembly has approved funds for six GAO Union members to be represented at the IFPTE convention this year!

All GAO Union members have an opportunity to be one of the six delegates to the 56th IFPTE Convention, which will be held August 10–13, 2009 in hot, sunny Las Vegas, Nevada. To serve as one of the six delegates (or one of six alternates selected if the original delegates cannot attend), GAO Union members attending must be elected by the wider GAO Union membership and be willing to take Annual Leave. Details of the election will be provided to members in the near future.

PAST COMMUNIQUES:
05/05/09:  GAO Union testifies before House Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Subcommittee
04/27/09:  Vote to Ratify 2009 PBC Pay Agreement
04/20/09:  GAO Union Reaches Tentative Agreement with Management
04/13/09:  PBC Pay Negotiations Continue
04/03/09:  PBC Budget Factor Negotiations Begin Next Week