Move Negotiations at Impasse/FSIP to Hear Case

On July 12, 2002 I had a telephone conversation with Senior Commissioners Representative Mary Tapley. Specific Questions as to rumors of a move firm Symphony Towers were raised. The official line was that �no decision had been reached�. On July 17, 2002, NTEU was given formal notice of what can be loosely called a game of musical chairs.� Now once this formal notice is given, the law requires that management to negotiate in good faith. The law and the National Agreement require that notice to be given to NTEU prior to meeting with employees. Now for the record we have found no less than three separate meetings were NTEU was not provided with notice, but we still proceeded in an attempt to negotiate. Keep in mind that the stated reason for this move is to save money.

NTEU clearly recognizes the need to spend tax dollars wisely and with that in mind we requested information as to the plan. Basic items as estimated cost, rent savings, phone costs, floor plans and other basic items.� The response, no plan, no estimate of costs, no estimate of rent savings, nothing.� Still trying to be reasonable we provided opening proposals and provided the management team with dates that NTEU would be available.

The process formally began on August 27^th and continued into August 28^th. The Management Team of Gloria Orozco and Mariam Saner wanted to end the negotiations even though they signed a document stating that the end had to be mutually agreed to. Forced to return to the table on September 4^th , the management team was unwilling to move� on any position. Suffice to say tempers were elevated, but NTEU was still willing and able to proceed.� When the management Team learned of a conference call with the Deputy Commissioner on the prior day, I thought I had stumbled into the 2^nd grade. The Spokesperson for the management Team demanded to know the content of the discussion, I provided only an outline and when it was known that a third party was directed to travel to San Diego, the facts around the purpose of that trip were at dispute. NTEU asked for a break, Management refused, I stated that the call involved different time zones and needed to be completed. Still denied the break, one member of the team was left in the room. Management wanted to discuss in private, some issues, NTEU accommodated their request (a Caucus). Upon return from the caucus, management got up and left the room declaring the proceedings as completed.

On September 11, 2002 they advise employees at Symphony Towers to pack as they were moving on September 14^th to the Federal Building. This begs the question, How is it I need three weeks notice to my mover and they get 2 days?

Despite the best efforts and staying in the room and begging management to return to the table, like a spoiled child they simply refused. The next step in the process is a Hearing before the Federal Services Impasse Panel.

As NTEU believed the move was rushed and almost 1 month later all is not completed and the moral dropped to a new low. Oh well, guess I could go work for the Postal Service.

�

Registering to Vote for the November Election

To ensure receipt of sample ballot materials for the November 5 Governor General Election, applicants are encouraged to register to vote by October 7. Applicants who register between October 8 and October 21 will be able to vote in the election but might not be mailed sample ballots. Instead, late registrants may receive a post card notice giving them their polling place location. They may review sample ballot pamphlets at one of the following: 1) their poll location, 2) this website, www.sdvote.com/reg.htm , or 3 ) at the Registrar of Voters office in Kearny Mesa. The last day to register and be eligible to vote in the November General Election is October 21st.

�Chapter 92 Elections Results

On September 23, 2002 the ballots were counted and the results made official.

President�� Malcolm Gettmann

1^st Vice President:�� Lisa Barrios

2^nd Vice President:�� Ron Holfield

Recording Secretary�� Susie Barber

Membership Secretary ��Diane Olsavsky

Treasurer�� Maria Navarro

A special Thanks to the Nominations & Election Committee: Lynn Shields, Terry Nesbitt, Jim Hansen, Amanda James, and Emeterio Ramirez. Without their hard work it would not have happened. THANK YOU

��

Wanted, your email address

Legoland has been added as another NTEU member benefit. We would like to ensure that we have current address information for each member. If you have not received a NTEU Bulletin or other correspondence recently, you may want to contact the NTEU Chapter 92 Office.

If you would like to receive the Chapter 92 Newsletter, Newsline 92, via the web then send an email from your home email address to

:mediarelations@nteu92.org.

�You will be added to our email list and save the Chapter some postage.

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Homeland Security and You

The events of September 11,2001 identified the need to address the issues of Homeland Security. As this is written it has become an extremely volatile issue in the United States Senate. The President want total control of the lives of employees in this �new� agency, NTEU and many members of the United States Senate feel that stripping away the protections of Title 5 of the United States Code does nothing to help National Security. Many of the employees that NTEU represent in the Customs Service are doing the job today, with Title 5 protections. Are they not doing their job?�

The United States is facing a crisis in the ability to recruit and retain employees. Title 5 is where you find the laws covering the personnel policies, pay, leave, health benefits and more.� To make these employees dependent on the whim of a political appointee, say like, Ken Lay, would further erode the integrity of the Civil Service.

It�s not important until your job is lost to the contractor who gave freely to his PAC.

What is TEPAC? This is the Treasury Employees Political Action Committee. It is a way to collectively support those who support you as a Federal employee. This is done without regard to political party. If they support Federal Employees, TEPAC supports them, plain and simple.

Want more information? Remember it must go to your home in accordance with the Hatch Act and various other regulations.

And Finally

It has been my pleasure to serve as the President of Chapter 92 the past three years.

The success was in large part to those on the Executive Board;

Lisa Barrios, Amanda James, Terry Nesbitt, Terry Smith and Maria Navarro.

Amanda moved on to LMSB with a new job, Terry Smith was promoted in Insolvency and Terry Nesbitt was assigned coaching duties on top of everything else.

I wish them well in all that they do and will always be willing to accept any help they would like to provide.

Thanks Again

Malcolm