The GAO Union and GAO management met on Monday, April 6, for the first negotiation session over GAO employees’ 2009 Performance Based Compensation (PBC) pay.  Specifically, the negotiation addresses the budget factor that is used to calculate the PBC pay each employee receives based on their performance rating for FY 2008 and how the budget factor is applied.  In the first negotiation session, GAO management offered a PBC budget factor of 2.0% for employees that received at least “meets expectations” on all competencies.  They have since raised the offer to 2.3%.  PBC budget factor issues under negotiation include the application of the Band IIB speed bump and pay range reductions from 2006 that reduce comparability with other federal employees.

Negotiations will continue today, Tuesday, April 14.  Both parties have set aside time for several sessions this week.  Although the pay increase will be applied retroactive to the beginning of the year, the GAO Union is eager to reach tentative agreement on the 2009 PBC pay negotiations for ratification by the Union membership as soon as possible.  Considering the remarkable achievements of GAO employees in the past year, nimbly providing support to the U.S. Congress with increasingly challenging time lines and unexpected oversight responsibilities, the GAO Union is committed to negotiating a just and reasonable PBC budget factor that reflects the overall strength of our collective performance. [read more...]

Spring Cleaning for gaoanalysts.org Website

You'll notice that our website looks a bit different.  To make it easier to find information, we made our home page leaner; added new pages (Join Our Union, Elections); and renamed pages ("Legislative News" is now "On the Hill"; "Constitution, Internal Policies and Agreements" is now "Negotiated Agreements").  We also added a Search box to the home page to help you find what you need.  We'll continue making changes to improve our web site.

Honorary Union Membership Bestowed to Tania Shand

On Tuesday, March 31st our Local, along with IFPTE national and the CRS IFPTE Local, presented former Staff Director of the House Workforce Subcommittee, Tania Shand, a plaque bestowing her honorary membership to the GAO Employees Organization, IFPTE Local 1921. Ms. Shand was critical in providing support to employees during the time of Union organizing that led to the establishment of the GAO Employees Organization, IFPTE Local 1921. It was during this time that she coordinated hearings for the House oversight committee that focused on problems in the implementation of GAO's performance management system. [read more...]

PDP Update: Performance Based Compensation (PBC) & Master Contract Negotiations

While the results of the current negotiations for the Performance Based Compensation (PBC) budget factor do not directly impact PDP employees' pay while they remain in the two year program, the PBC negotiations will have an impact on the future pay of current PDP staff. [read more...]

PAST COMMUNIQUES:
04/03/09:  Special Communique: PBC Pay Negotiations Begin Next Week
03/30/09:  GAO dispute resolution and grievance process discussion
03/16/09:  Selecting the new Comptroller General—Submit your comments for Congress
03/02/09:  GAO Employees Develop Alternative to SRS for 2009 Performance-Based Compensation
02/20/09:  FMA Assembly Delegate chosen, Union Assembly Officially Takes Office
02/02/09:  Management announces policy to streamline reports
01/27/09:  New Look Communique