BAND TOGETHER
COMMUNIQUÉ

Ratified Interim Agreement Signed by Bargaining Teams and Provided to Gene Dodaro

As noted in last week’s special communiqué, the interim agreement was ratified last week. As such, the union and the management bargaining teams signed it on Thursday, Oct 23, and then it was provided to Acting Comptroller General Gene Dodaro. The Interim agreement addresses certain significant rights for GAO employees and union operations that the union and management felt needed to be addressed before we enter negotiations on a comprehensive contract. The document is available on the web site at www.gaoanalysts.org.  Thanks so much to those who voted.

GAO’s Union: Strong, Independent, Non-Partisan

GAO’s union, much like the agency we represent, is proud to speak with a strong and independent voice. We chose IFPTE because it represents professional employees with  a decentralized model, expecting its affiliated local unions to be self-sufficient and independent. We have exceptional autonomy over how we manage our union and the direction we want to move - as part of our dues structure, we will give only a small portion of our union dues to IFPTE, to pay for services such as legal counsel.  Accordingly, we alone decide our own constitution and issues we would like to negotiate with management. In addition, given GAO’s particular mission, we have an agreement with IFPTE that if they are involved in partisan political causes GAO will remain neutral, similar to the Congressional Research Service’s agreement with IFPTE. No GAO dues will ever be used for partisan political activities.  We also know that GAO’s union is only as strong as its membership - please add your strong, independent voice by joining the union today.

One More Brown Bag on Membership and Other Issues

If you haven't joined our Union, now is the time to get information pertaining to membership in the Union. Only those who choose to become members will be able to vote or run for officer and representative positions within the Union.

Next week, we are holding the last brown-bag on membership and other related union questions.  This session will be held on:

• November 3, 2008 at 12:00 to 1:00 pm ET - HQ Room 2T59

Field staff can participate by calling the following number: 1-866-285-7778 (passcode 9164844).

How Do I Join the Union?

To join the Union, just fill out a membership form and give the form to an Interim Council representative.  You can also email the membership form to gaounionmembership@ifpte.org. If you chose to have dues deducted automatically, you need to fill out an additional form (GAO Form 676), which you can email to Workforcerelations@gao.gov or give to an Interim Council representative.  Field office staff can email or pouch the dues deduction form to Workforce Relations or give to an Interim Council representative. Information on the membership application and payment options and applicable forms are available on the GAO Union website at http://www.gaoanalysts.org.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact Chris Langford (langfordc@gao.gov or 202-512-6535), Chair of the Membership Committee.

Union’s Official Address for Confidential Mail

Did you know that you can mail items to the union without going through GAO?  The union now has a U.S. Post Office box for anyone who wants to be sure of confidentiality when sending mail to the union—for example, checks for payment of union dues.  Please send mail to the following address:

GAO Employees Organization

P.O. Box 50236

Washington, DC  20091-0236

If you are sending in checks, please also put “Attention: Treasurer” on the envelope.

Please Give Us Your Feedback and Contributions

The Communications Committee would like your feedback regarding articles you'd like to see, questions you'd like answered, or any other suggestions!  Please send your feedback to Charlie Willson (willsonc@gao.gov).  If you would like the next Communiqué to include a Union-related announcement or the time and place of a Union-related meeting, please forward the information to Lise Levie (leviel@gao.gov) by 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 30, to be considered for next week's Communiqué.

Union Contacts

If you have questions or comments, or need assistance from the Union, please email your Interim Council Representative.  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 normally meets each Wednesday at 3:30 PM ET in room 2T59, however no meeting is scheduled for this week, Oct 29, or Nov 12.

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.