Author: Gary Locken

Official Time That is Not Counted Against Allocation

Time spent engaging in collective bargaining (5 U.S.C. 7131(a))

•Time spent in proceedings before the Authority, as determined by the FLRA (5 U.S.C. 7131(c))

•Official time for the establishment of a joint labor-management committee and participation in any related sub-committees (Article 3, Section 7)

•Participating in Joint labor management training as a trainer (Article 4, Section 3)

•Official time for representational participation in quality programs (Article 7, Section 2)

•Official Time for serving as a representative to the Department of Veterans Affairs Diversity Council (VADC) (Article 18, Section 7.A)

•Participation in local EEO committee(s), such as the EEO Advisory Committee, the Diversity Committee, etc., (Article 18, Section 7.C)

•Participation on a national task force or committee (Article 48, Section 2.B)

•Time spent in connection with national bargaining and LMR Committee meetings (Article 48, Section 4)

•Time spent making a presentation during new employee orientation (Article 49, Section 9)

•All activities related to Labor-Management Committees (Forums) (Article 48, Section 6)

•Serving in a union representational capacity in Quality programs (Article 48, Section 6)

Appropriate Uses of “Duty Time” for Union Representatives

•Time required for preparing and presenting appeals to the MSPB and handling discrimination complaints to the EEOC (Article 48, Section 6)

•Time spent serving as a Union representative during safety and health inspections, as a member of a Safety and Health Committee or its subcommittees, developing plans for abatement of materials, investigating accidents, and safety-related committee assignments. (Article 29, Section 3)

•Participation in a committee in a non-representational capacity including serving as a Subject Matter Expert 

•Attending training as a participant (i.e joint labor management training and whistle blower protection)

•Appearing as a witness in an arbitration

Remembering Juneteenth

June 19th is a day that reminds us how freedom is obtained when people stand for what’s right.

As we take this time to commemorate the end of slavery, we need to remember how far we’ve come so as not to repeat the past. We honor all impacted by slavery and recognize the fight for certain freedoms is not over. 

May your Juneteenth be one of peace and happiness.

Happy June 19th from your GLA Union Team

VIRTUAL TITLE 38 TRAINING on June 28, 2023 from 12:00-4:00pm ET. 

The NVAC National Training and Education Committee is pleased to announce that we will be holding a VIRTUAL TITLE 38 TRAINING on June 28, 2023 from 12:00-4:00pm ET. 

This training will include roughly 3 hours of instruction on the nuts and bolts of Title 38, focusing on what you need to be an effective AFGE representative for Title 38 employees. We will also have a Question and Answer session with NVAC Title 38 experts who are great resources for you and your fellow unionists. 

Official time for this training has been authorized by VACO-LMR.

More information and registration at http://afgenvac.org/training-education/

Subscribe for NVAC Email Updates on Contract Negotiations with the VA!

Click here to subscribe

AFGE NVAC is finally returning to the negotiating table with the VA in March 2022. We’ll be negotiating on a two-weeks-on two-weeks-off basis, fighting for the rights of NVAC members and their families every step of the way.

By subscribing to this newsletter, you will receive bi-weekly email updates on the contract negotiations process as we renegotiate for a worker-centered contract. It is imperative that you stay informed and engaged to keep up the momentum, so subscribe to make your voice a part of this process.

Together, we can secure historic victories to better serve VA workers and our nation’s veterans for years to come.

Lawsuit Seeking Hazard Pay for Federal Employees Exposed to Covid-19

Important Information about website to use to join lawsuit seeking Hazard Pay for COVID-19
As we hope you all know, AFGE, along with Heidi Burakiewicz of the law firm Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch (“KCNF”), filed the first lawsuit on behalf of workers arising out of the pandemic. Now we need to spread the word among our members that it is time to sign up for the lawsuit. The COVID-19 Hazard Pay Lawsuit electronic sign-up form is available at https://www.HazardPayLawsuit.com/.Here are some IMPORTANT FACTS about the case:You MUST fill out and submit the form on the website to join the case and be eligible to receive damages.Unlike traditional class actions where people are automatically included, you MUST sign up to be part of a case pending at the Court of Federal Claims or alleging a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). Only the people who fill out and submit the necessary forms will be eligible to recover damages from our case. The link to the sign-up form is: https://www.HazardPayLawsuit.com/. The case is for ALL affected employees.Our lawsuit was filed on behalf of all eligible federal employees who were exposed to COVID-19 during the performance of their official duties as long as their position description does not take into account exposure to infectious diseases like COVID-19. As we have said before, we are sending this message to let you know that AFGE has you covered.AFGE and Heidi Burakiewicz, a partner at KCNF, have been leading the fight to ensure that federal workers who put their health and safety on the line by reporting to work during the COVID-19 pandemic receive hazard pay. We are proud to have filed the first lawsuit on behalf of workers arising out of the pandemic, but unfortunately as our case proceeded, several other lawsuits were filed seeking hazard pay for certain groups of federal employees. In one of those cases, the judge dismissed the case. The attorney in that case is appealing the dismissal to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The government has moved to stay our case until that appeal is decided.We always knew this was going to be a tough fight, and that it could be a lengthy fight. But we know it’s a fight worth having – one that workers should win.AFGE is committed to continuing to fight to assure that eligible federal employees are compensated for the risks they face of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace. We are disheartened that the pandemic continues to negatively affect so many of our members and their families. That is why we will continue to pursue this matter in the courts and will continue to get the message out that federal employees deserve hazard pay.Again, you can sign up to be part of the lawsuit at: https://www.HazardPayLawsuit.com/. You will find more information about the case on the website. Please remember, you MUST fill out and submit the necessary forms to be eligible to recover damages from our case. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact KCNF by email at Covid19HazardPay@kcnlaw.com or by calling the law firm on the phone during normal business hours at 202-331-9260.
To make sure you receive emails from the KCNF about this lawsuit, please add Covid19HazardPay@kcnlaw.com to your email address book.