Band I
Interim Council
Seat
Special Election Notice, Time Table, and
Rules
The GAO
Union Interim Council would like to invite Band I (non-PDP)
staff to apply for a vacant at-large seat representing all Band
I on the Interim Council.
The following information will explain the
responsibilities of this position, as well as the timeline and
processes.
This
position was an at-large position during the Interim Council
election in early November, which meant everyone within the
bargaining unit (employees represented by our union) was able to
vote for this position.
The council has concluded that an appointment process,
rather than a conventional election process, would be more
timely and efficient at this time since our work on our
constitution should be done in a couple of months. Currently there are 193
Band I (non-PDP) at GAO (Field & HQ), among the ~1750
bargaining unit members.
Once our Constitution has been ratified by the bargaining
unit, we will hold new elections for all the positions laid out
within the Constitution, thereby dissolving the Interim
Council.
As the
timetable below describes, we are inviting nominations for those
bargaining unit employees who are Band I, but not in the PDP
program to fill this vacancy. If we receive more than one application, we
will conduct a questioning and answering session by
teleconference to assist us in making a selection. The Interim Council will
then vote and appoint the next Band I (non-PDP) Interim Council
Representative.
If you have
any questions or concerns after reading all of this announcement
please contact Council Representative Chris Langford (langfordc@gao.gov or
202-512-6535), who has volunteered to help facilitate this
special election.
Role
of Interim Council Members
Interim
Council Members are responsible for drafting a Constitution and
Bylaws for ratification by GAO bargaining unit employees. They also represent the
interests of constituent bargaining unit employees with GAO
management and Congress until permanent officers and
representatives can be elected pursuant to that Constitution and
Bylaws. Council
members meet a minimum of once a week in general session. Many also participate on
committees. They
request feedback from their designated constituencies when
necessary and make themselves available to address individual
constituent member concerns as they arise. Although much of the
work of the council is performed on a volunteer basis, there are
some activities that qualify for official time, such as
representing the union in meetings with management.
Timetable
Nominations: Thursday, April 10, 2008 to
Tuesday,
April 15, 2008
Self
nominations will be accepted via email to gaonominations@ifpte.org
during this time period.
Only Band I non-PDP are eligible to run for this
position. Anyone
wishing to see a list of nominees during this time period can
email gaonominee@ifpte.org
for this information.
Candidates
are not required, but are strongly encouraged,
to submit statements of interest no more than 200 words. Candidates are urged to
use these statements to describe their experience, knowledge of
the issues, willingness to serve, and motivation for seeking an
Interim Council position.
The Interim Council will use these statements, along with
a questioning and answering session of the nominee to inform
their appointment decision.
Confirmation: Wednesday, April 16,
2008
If there is more than one nominee, the Interim
Council will email all nominees on the morning of April 16th
confirming their interest in this position, along with a
teleconference phone number for them call into that afternoon
for a questioning and answering session by the Interim
Council.
Announcement: Monday, April 21,
2008:
Once the
Council selects a nominee, an announcement will be sent to all
Band I (non-PDP) bargaining unit employees via email. The new Band I Council
Representative will officially take office at the following
Interim Council Meeting on Wednesday, April 23,
2008.
Challenges
Challenges
to the conduct of the nominations and confirmation must be
submitted by email to gaochallenges@ifpte.org no later
than 10:00
PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), five work days after
the date the confirmation results are announced. Concerns about
possible violations of the confirmation process may be
submitted to gaochallenges@ifpte.org at any
time during the course of the process. The Interim Council will seek to remedy
alleged violations that are brought to the Interim Council's
attention during the course of the election. Post-confirmation
challenges will be promptly investigated.
If the Interim Council
determines that there has been a violation of the
stated process, the Interim Council will then determine
whether this violation "affected the outcome of the
appointment,” and if so that appointment will be
reopened.
