Approximately 38 analysts hired in 2006, including analysts currently in the PDP program, were hired under a special hiring authority as 2-year temporary employees that left them unable to apply for promotion in the latest IIA promotion cycle.  Further, many were unaware of the difference in their hiring status until the promotion issue arose.  GAO management admitted that there were problems with the hiring process that was used.  Management told union representatives that union attention to this had made them aware that they had not consistently followed hiring process regulations but they would correct this is the future.  Furthermore, they would change their employment processes to better communicate the implications to the analyst of temporary non-competitive hiring. We will work with management to formalize their commitment to a transparent and fair hiring and promotion process as part of bargaining a master contract.

Union representatives raised the issue about the employees eligibility for promotion with GAO management and were told that the employees could not apply for the positions until 90 days after they convert to non-temporary status.  In a subsequent e-mail to Acting Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, Union representatives asked that he waive the 90-day requirement as provided in a GAO order.  In response to the Union’s e-mail to Mr. Dodaro, Eric Adams (Director, Workforce Relations Center) informed the Union that GAO would not waive the 90 period and that these employees would not be considered in the latest IIA promotion cycle. The rationale provided was that these individuals were hired through a non-competitive process, unlike the merit and competitive process that normally occurs. The Union has expressed its disappointment with management’s decision given the fact that many of these employees had no idea they were brought in under non-competitive status, much less the impact their status would have on their careers at GAO.  Mr. Adams did state, however, that because of concerns about the affected employees, the GAO Human Capital Office will be issuing a vacancy announcement(s) in the coming weeks that will permit the affected employees to compete for positions at the Band IIA level." The Union will find out more about these upcoming announcements and provide additional details in a future Communiqué.

Bargaining Committee Update

On May 14^th the Interim Council decided upon the membership of the Bargaining Committee, whose responsibilities include representing the Interim Council and bargaining unit members in negotiations with GAO management regarding negotiated agreements, drafting Union proposals for a collective bargaining agreement, and preparing comments on GAO proposed regulations. The members of the Bargaining Committee are Leo Acosta (San Francisco), Dan Meyer (Chicago), Jonathan Tumin (HSJ), Jacqueline Harpp (Diversity - Black/African American), Robert Kershaw (IT), Ron La Due Lake (ARM), and Christopher Langford (PDP).

At its initial meeting on May 21, 2008, Ms. Julie Clark, IFPTE General Counsel, advised that the committee’s first task is to draft an interim agreement between GAO management and the GAO Employees Organization.  The interim agreement is intended to address several bargaining issues until a full master contract is negotiated.  Some issues that are commonly addressed in interim agreements include the establishment of grievance and arbitration clauses that provide protections to employees, the ability for Union representatives to charge official time for certain activities, and the use of GAO facilities for Union activities. The Bargaining Committee discussed management's draft agreement and shared the draft with all the Interim Council representatives for additional input.

The Bargaining Committee will meet the week of May 26, 2008 to further discuss and incorporate as appropriate changes to the draft interim agreement.  Once the Interim Council agrees to a revised agreement, the committee plans to submit the revised agreement to GAO management for their consideration with the intent of reaching agreement with GAO management as soon as possible.  Once agreement is reached with GAO management, the entire bargaining unit will be asked to ratify the agreement.

Communique Subcommittee

Thank you to the following bargaining unit members that have volunteered for the Communique Subcommittee: John Bumgarner (DCM-Norfolk), Lee Carroll (NRE- Denver), Shaunessye Curry (HC-Chicago), Regina Santucci (EWIS-HQ), and Charlie Willson (EWIS-HQ).  In addition, Interim Council representative Lesia Mandzia (HC) will serve as editor of the Communique.

Diversity Month Activities Planned for June 4 and June 17

The GAO Union will be represented at two upcoming Diversity Month activities.  On June 4th, the Union will participate in the headquarters' Diversity Fair, which will take place around lunch time (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) on the first floor of the GAO building in the main corridor. 

On June 17th, Interim Council member Jackie Harpp (Diversity - Black/African American) will participate in a moderated panel discussion on the Ivy Group's final report on disparities in performance appraisal scores between GAO's African American staff and Caucasian staff.  The discussion will focus on the broader implications of the study's findings, including how other groups may be affected by proposed recommendations to address ratings disparities. Gene Dodaro will kick off the panel discussion with opening remarks.  If you have a question or concern related to the Ivy Group findings, and would like to see this addressed in the panel discussion, please contact Jackie Harpp.

Volunteers Needed

Annual Feedback Survey Working Group

The Union has been notified that GAO is preparing to conduct its annual employee feedback survey within the next few weeks, probably by mid-June.  We have heard concerns about the survey from bargaining unit members focused on the quality of the questions, comparability with other federal agency surveys, and ensuring confidentiality in its implementation and analysis.  To explore ways to address these concerns we have created an employee feedback working group and are seeking participants with particular interest and expertise in this topic.  If you are interested in participating please contact Lorene Sarne (ASM) at 202 512-3760 or Lise Levie (EWIS) at 202 512-7030 as soon as possible.

Web Volunteers

As noted in the May 19^th Communiqué we are looking for volunteers (HQ and Field Offices) to help improve our web presence.  We need your help, even if you have not been involved in Union organizing to this point. The volunteers selected must be in the GAO bargaining unit and must be able to:

• meet (on phone or in-person) with the other Web volunteers, using personal, non-work time, mostly during non-business hours;
• work cooperatively to design and develop a high quality website;
• deal appropriately with sensitive information; and
• make timely progress on website goals.

We are particularly interested in volunteers with prior web design and/or development experience. 

If interested, please send a paragraph explaining your interest by Tuesday, June 3rd at 6 p.m. (ET) to Stephen Ulrich (HC).  Web volunteers will serve at least until a permanent Union structure is in place.

We Want Your Feedback

We would like your feedback regarding articles you'd like to see, questions you’d like answered, or any other suggestions. Do you have a question or concern that you think others in the bargaining unit might share? Do you have a perspective on Union-management relations that you think might provide insight to others in the bargaining unit? Do you have an idea for a regular column? Do you know someone who should be receiving the newsletter, but isn’t?  This type of feedback will help to make the newsletter relevant and keep us from becoming just another “Delete” item in your mailbox!  Please send your comments to Lesia Mandzia (HC) or Charlie Willson (EWIS).

Call for Communiqué Contributions

If you are scheduling a meeting or have an announcement that would be of interest to the bargaining unit, please forward the information to Lesia Mandzia (HC) or Lise Levie (EWIS) by 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 29th, for inclusion in the next edition of the Communique.

Union Contacts

If you have questions or comments, or need assistance from the Union, please email your Interim Council representative (listed below).  You can also send questions and comments to ICquestions@gaoanalysts.org.

Members of the bargaining unit are welcome to observe Interim Council meetings, either in person or by phone.  In addition, members are invited to submit or share thoughts at the beginning of the meeting. Please contact your representative or another member of the IC for more details, including the call-in number for those who cannot attend in person. The Interim Council meets each Wednesday at 3:30 PM ET in room 2T59.

Get Active Action Center - Give the IFPTE Feedback

As we get more volunteers, we have better ideas. To assist Analysts in advancing their rights and representation within GAO, IFPTE has developed an advocacy tool to allow Analysts to provide feedback to the Union. GAO Analysts are encouraged to sign up for the Action Center if they haven't already done so at www.unionvoice.org/gaoanalysts/home.html.