The Union’s Interim Council is pleased to announce that it has reached a tentative agreement with management on the 2008 annual pay adjustments. At the outset, the Union determined that it was in the employees’ best interest to resolve these negotiations expeditiously and to address concerns regarding needed reforms of the GAO pay and performance management systems in subsequent negotiations to be commenced at the earliest possible date after ratification of the 2008 pay adjustment.  At the same time, the Union sought to achieve certain important objectives in these negotiations, e.g. pay parity with the Executive Branch, recognition of GAO employees’ outstanding performance during the past year, and a guarantee that every GAO employee who achieves a rating of meets expectations or above receives an annual adjustment.  While the Union cannot negotiate on behalf of non bargaining unit employees, the Union also supported the principle that all GAO employees receive the benefit of the Union negotiated agreement, and took those associated costs into account throughout negotiations.

The Union Interim Council believes that these objectives have been achieved to the greatest extent possible at this time and recommends ratification of the tentative agreement. This agreement is now subject to ratification (via email vote) by all members of the bargaining unit.   

This agreement significantly improves upon management’s initial proposal – a 3.0% across-the-board increase and a 2.5% budget factor (used to calculate the PBC portion of our salaries), subject to all applicable caps and speed bumps.

A summary of the provisions of the tentative agreement follows:

·                    Annual Adjustment: 3.5% Across-the-Board salary increase for all staff, including PDP and CAPP, who at least meet expectations (subject to salary maximums and the Band IIB speed bump)

·                    PBC: 2.75% budget factor used in determining the PBC salary increase for staff not in the PDP or CAPP programs,* who at least meet expectations (subject to salary maximums and the Band IIB speed bump)

·                    4.49% Guaranteed Minimum Total Salary Increase for all permanent staff (not PDP or CAPP)* who at least meet expectations (without regard to salary maximums and the Band IIB speed bump)

·                    Salary Ranges: 4.5% increase in maximum salary ranges, competitive rates, and speed bump, and a 3.5% increase in minimum salary ranges.

·                    Retroactivity: All salaries will be retroactive to January 6, 2008.

 *Note:  While PDP and CAPP employees are not eligible for the merit portion increase (PBC) that other analysts are, they are eligible for increases through the separate PRG system. 

Where can I learn more?

The union will hold information sessions Tuesday and Wednesday of next week at locations and times to be announced. Please attend.  

What’s next?

The next step is for all members of the bargaining unit to be fully informed about the details of the tentative agreement and vote on whether they accept the terms of this agreement. You will receive additional details about the agreement and the dates, times and locations of information sessions via email. Ballots will be emailed on Monday, February 11, 2008 and must be returned no later than 8 p.m., Thursday, February 14, EST. Note that this negotiation concerned only the 2008 pay increases. Immediately following ratification, we will begin discussions of our longer-term concerns, including improvements to the GAO pay and performance management systems.