Rob and Amanda went to several agency to do outreach including membership drives.
Decision Upheld That Holds Agency to Measurability Deadline
February 4th 2019: The FLRA denied Passport Services’ challenge to an arbitration ruling. Arbitrator Javits had found the Agency in violation of an agreement concerning computer problems. The agreement decreed that employees be promptly notified how computer hurdles would be factored in to the day’s production expectations. The Agency argued that the Agency could never […]
Withholding Errors Fixed for Ex-Peace Corps BUE
January 21, 2016: After considerable discussion between the Union and Management, retirement withholdings for dozens of employees were altered to the correct amount. The Agency has yet to pay back the sums incorrectly collected from ex-Peace Corps hires, but has pledged to make all employees whole.
IAM Offers Scholarship Opportunity
January 12, 2016: IAMAW is encouraging applications for its 2016 college scholarships that is open to NFFE 1998 members and their college-age children. The deadline is February 26th. Details about the scholarship can be found here.
Improper Drug Test Challanged
December 3, 2015:Â In reaction to a grievance concerning HRPT-clearance employees improperly subjected to drug tests due to agency error, the two sides negogiated a mutually-acceptable settlement and path forward.
AWOL Charge Challenged
November 27, 2015: The Union filed a grievance on behalf of an NPC employee. The employee was absent for medical reasons (which were documented by the employee’s physician), yet the Agency still docked the employee’s pay, charging the time as AWOL.
Agency Grants QSI’s to Employees
November 1, 2015: Twenty five passport employees were given Quality Step Increases (QSI’s) in November as a result of an arbitration.  The arbitrator determined last year that Passport Management had given an unfairly high proportion of QSI’s to members of Passport Management.Â
Congress Seeks Hiring Changes at State
October 28, 2015: Members of the House of Representatives proposed legislation which would require the Department of State achieve greater gender and ethnic diversity in hiring. The proposed FAIR Act would also mandate periodic reports to Congress on steps taken to improve.
Arbitrator Issues Split Ruling on Official Time
September 25, 2015: Arbitrator Timothy Brown issued a decision on an Agency grievance. He ruled that a NFFE 1998 Steward had inappropriately sent two representational emails during work time. Brown found the majority of Management’s allegations to be without merit.
NFFE Protests Internal Controls Reprimand
September 21, 2015: The Union filed a grievance debating alleged internal controls infractions. Recognizing a potential conflict of interest, a Passport Specialist declined to adjudicate the passport application of an acquaintance, and so informed the colleague they passed the case to. Yet the employee was still disciplined because local Management was not notified in writing […]
