11/03/09 Union News

GAO Union and management reach agreement on conducting master contract negotiations

The GAO Union and GAO management have successfully concluded an agreement on the ground rules for how negotiations for the master contract agreement will be conducted. These ground rules cover the general manner in which negotiations are held, and how disagreements during negotiation are to be resolved. Details of the ground rules agreement include the agreed upon negotiation process, the location and schedule for the talks, the size of the bargaining teams, use of official time and credit hours for the Union bargaining team, the use of a recorder to document the bargaining process, and the sharing of the cost of the facilitator.

Specifically, the Union and management have agreed to use "interest-based negotiations" to help the GAO Union and management come to agreement on the issues.  Interest-based negotiations involves a process for parties to collaborate to find creative "win-win" ways to meet the interests of both sides, as opposed to traditional negotiations, that are more focused on "win-lose." The interest-based process originated in the field of international relations, where parties share their interests and work together to find solutions. The interest-based approach uses a facilitator to achieve an agreement that is mutually acceptable in a shorter period of time while building a collaborative relationship.

The value of this approach was demonstrated by the positive comments given by representatives of both Union and management on the combined training and negotiations conducted last week with Joe Swerdzewski, the general counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority from 1993 through 2001, who both parties hope will also be able to facilitate the master contract negotiations.

Both the Union and GAO management have various tasks to complete over the next two months, including gathering and sharing information with each other, in preparation for negotiations of the master contract.  Negotiations are planned to begin after January 26, 2010. One of the Union's planned tasks is to survey the entire bargaining unit, so the Union can better represent the issues concerning all GAO Analysts.

President Obama signs bill enabling FERS employees to count sick leave towards years of service, with IFPTE help

Last Wednesday, President Obama signed the Defense authorization bill, which, among other things, grants employees under the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) the ability to count unused sick leave toward their years of service, just like employees under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) can. However, for those retiring before January 1, 2014, 50 percent of sick leave will be counted; 100 percent of sick leave will be counted for those retiring after then.

This would add three months to the average FERS employees time in service when her retirement annuity is calculated, according to reported Congressional Budget Office estimates. That would increase retirement checks by an average of $150 each year, CBO said. CBO concluded that eliminating lost productivity would save as much money as the change would cost to implement.  This change comes partially as a result of the efforts of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), our Union's national affiliate. IFPTE, along with other federal labor advocates, has been working for this change. 

Annual Meeting for Union Members to be held Wednesday, December 2, at 2 p.m. Eastern, @ room 6n30

We are extremely excited to announce that the First Annual GAO Union Meeting will be held for Union members, Wednesday, December 2, at 2 p.m. Eastern (11 a.m. Pacific), in HQ room 6n30.  Field office locations will be connected via telephone and VTC, and refreshments will be provided!

We have the distinct privilege this year to host Elaine Bernard, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard Law School, who will give a presentation to discuss the importance of Unions nationally and internationally in giving front-line professionals a voice, and to discuss vital issues currently facing Unions today.

In addition to celebrating the achievements of the GAO Union in 2009, this meeting is being held to conduct Union business, including our plan of action 2010 Union budget. Therefore, this will be a meeting for Union members--but for those who haven't joined, if you want to participate, it is easy to join--please see this link.   For further information, please contact Lee Carroll, Union Secretary, via e-mail, or at 720-663-9337. Hope to see you there!

PDP Pay Negotiations Ongoing

The Union and GAO management continue to meet to reach agreement on any changes to the way PDP pay is currently determined at the time of PDP Performance Review Groups (PRGs).  GAO management and the Union have exchanged proposals and analyses regarding alternatives for the PDP pay process.  The Union is dedicated to reaching an agreement as soon as possible.