DD responds to Local 2718's letter

Andre,

According to Article 27, Section B. Definitions, schedule changes may only be allowed at the beginning of a quarter (January, April, July, October.)  Requests to change schedules must be submitted no later than 3 pay periods prior to the requested start date (6 weeks before the next quarter.) New schedules begin the first full pay period of the quarter. 

July 2013 would be the first available quarter for employees to change their schedules, including choose any of the new scheduling options such as maxiflex. The open season would normally end 3 pay periods prior to the start of the quarter, so employees would have had to request changes by Friday, May 17. 

Any deviation or changes to the procedures has to be by mutual agreement.  Management realizes that employees are interested in participating in new schedules and is willing to waive the “no later than 3 pay period prior to the start of the quarter” clause as a one-time exception that will allow Management, Union and employees to be best prepared for the new schedules effective July 1, 2013.  Under this one-time exception, employees should submit requests for 3^rd Quarter 2013 schedule changes to the first line supervisor by June 15, 2013.  (In CHI, the Branch Chiefs will collect the schedule change requests and submit them to the timekeepers.)  Any schedule changes submitted after June 15, 2013 will be applied to the next quarter.  The next open season for schedule changes will be 4^th Quarter 2013 and employees should submit requests for schedule changes no later than 3 pay periods before the next quarter as stated in the LSA.  We will need to know whether you agree to this one time exception to extend 3^rd Quarter schedule change requests until June 15, 2013.

Based on the May 8 meeting, CHI and MIL employees will be trained on the LSA provisions on Thursday, May 30, during Chicago’s monthly training day. 

Thanks, Lori

D14 USCIS LSA Training Tentatively Scheduled for May 30, 2013

The union met with management yesterday to discuss the training for the employees on the LSA, and when maxi flex could be implemented.  Management gave us only a "tentative" training date of May 30.  The union followed up today with a letter to District Director Pietropaoli who was not at yesterday's meeting:

May 9, 2013

District Director Lori Pietropaoli

USCIS District 14, Chicago

101 W. Congress Pkwy.

Chicago, IL  60605

Dear Lori,

Yesterday’s meeting, which was supposed to be a jubilant preparation for training the employees on the contents of the LSA, was not what I call a “partnership.”  In fact, it could have been perceived as a “my-way-or-the-highway” attitude on management’s part.  Management set a tone that the union should listen and management would dictate what they will and will not allow. 

Management took the attitude that, “we are management and we make the rules.”  This is the very type of behavior that we hoped would be relegated to District 14 history once you arrived.  We should all be mindful that the same rules apply to all pre-and-post negotiations as it did while the initial negotiations were in order.

All union reps involved in yesterday’s meeting (me, Bruce Allen, Brenda Treml, and Suzanne Canady) witnessed very unprofessional behavior that made us uncomfortable.  Martha Medina and James Booth were rolling their eyes, putting their heads in their hands, and talking about “union officials” in front of everyone.  It was not productive, and did not conform to the standard of behavior that should prevail at a joint union/management meeting. 

James’ presence in particular was counterproductive.  James immediately attempted to lead and control the discussion, and then constantly slammed paper on the table as if in disgust.  He was rude and tried to intimidate.  While I was speaking, other union reps heard him say to Martha that Andre was ridiculous and that they couldn’t conduct a meeting with Andre because no one could get a word in edgewise.  He attempted to speak on an understanding that took place at bargaining, during which he was not present.  He tried to interject numbers into his argument about flex time, even though the fact that the employees of the District will have flex time is an issue that has been settled for almost a year. 

James was present for the first time regarding the LSA, and wanted to lead the discussion without introducing himself or explaining his role at the meeting.  I asked about his role because the union thought perhaps his presence was for some information to put in our monthly newsletter.  Martha then apologized and stated that she had forgotten to formerly introduce him. We then learned he was taking your place as a designated management official.  The union absolutely has no problem with that at all, but there must be some clarity as to his role and that of any union official who sits in negotiations.

Lori, I have sat on consultations and negotiations for several years and it has always been customary to either introduce the guest or subject matter expert and or a new negotiator for the purpose of their input into the negotiating process.  I cannot understand why the union was placed in a somewhat “dictated” atmosphere and to top that off, the union felt that management acted in an extremely adversarial way.

While James entered the discussions with an adversarial posture, Martha also began to exhibit unprofessional behavior as the productivity of the meeting deteriorated.  During the last ten minutes of the meeting, Martha held her Blackberry prominently in front of her, apparently sending and reading messages.  While Martha stated that she was there in partnership, when I posed a question regarding some BUE questions she seemed irritated and targeted me with being disruptive of the negotiations.  The union has a right, in my humble opinion, to ask questions and pose questions regarding the training and implementation of the LSA.  See Master Agreement 2010…Article D.  Right to Present Views:

            The union shall have the right to present its views, either orally or in writing, to the            Employer on any matters of concern regarding personnel policies and practices and matters    affecting working conditions.

The union has asked numerous times for clarity as to management’s position on scheduling the training for the LSA.  It appears that delay tactics are being used to stall employee’s ability to start maxi flex.  We agreed on maxi flex - something that other offices have been using for years - in June 2012.  We met to prepare training in October 2012.  Brenda created the PowerPoint presentation in January 2013.  We finally got an LSA effective date of April 8, 2013.  Ever since that time, we have been trying to get a training date scheduled, and keep being put off. 

It would have been a wonderful gesture to the employees to give them the opportunity to start maxi flex at the beginning of the summer, but that hope was extinguished yesterday as management still resists.  No wonder many employees are reluctant to believe maxi flex will ever happen.  They think it will not happen because management will find some way to make sure it doesn’t.  Even now, we still only have what Martha called a “tentative” training date of May 30, almost 2 months after the effective date of the LSA. 

Furthermore, we learned yesterday that management’s position is that starting maxi flex is a “schedule change” and that employees can only start at the beginning of a quarter.  The union’s position is that this is not a schedule change, but a beginning of a new schedule option, and that the employees should be able to start with one full pay period’s notice as soon as they are trained.  This is more than fair for the employees, given that they’ve been waiting to take advantage of this new schedule since last summer’s agreement, and management has had that long to prepare for any necessary changes. 

When we made our position clear, James and Martha became even more adversarial and condescending.  James claimed that employees cannot start maxi flex until July 1, 2013, because it would impact production.  Martha too claimed that the “blitz” weeks and months are a reason employees cannot start maxi flex sooner.  As those of us who muddled through days of negotiation on this topic know, the core hours were designed to address the interests and needs of the mission and production.  One thing has nothing to do with the other and we thought the issue was settled.

I appeal to you and will to the National Council and to anybody else necessary. Nobody feels "awesome" about these delays.  Employee morale is still low.  Let’s get this schedule option to our employees without any more delay.  There is no logistical reason the employees cannot start maxi flex (assuming we train them by May 30) by the pay period beginning June 16, 2013.  After the initial inception of the schedule, any changes must be made at the beginning of the quarter as stated in the LSA.

Finally, Lori, I was chastised by and accused of threatening the FOD when I mentioned that I need to speak to you about this.  That was an abuse of power.  I have never heard you suggest or condone such behavior.  Martha mentioned the need to appear unified at the joint training session, and we are in full agreement.  We just wanted to express a concern and head off any potential embarrassments that may occur because our employees are smart, and thorough, and they will ask many tough questions.

Lori, the union will not back off where the BUEs have a vast interest, regardless of the standing issues.  We (union) have a constitutional duty as AFGE officials.  Our attempts to bring this LSA to closure seem to get further and further away.  The union has tried to address the rollout with Martha, but she appears focused on the fact that we are only GS 12s and GS13s and should not question the FOD.  This is totally distasteful and reckless. 

The BUEs do trust in you, the DD, and we believe that trust is at an all-time high for our District.  We give our respect to you being the District’s newly assigned District Director.  That employee trust, however, does not extend our FOD or much of the rest of management, which is regrettable.

We implore to intervene and address the BUEs in a town-hall and give them straight talk because the truth stretches a long way with these employees. 

Please allow me to remind everybody that according to the Master Agreement 2010: 

All Supplemental Agreements are to be immediately forwarded to the Council President and the Labor Relations Office at the Service's headquarters for review and approval following their execution by the Local Parties. Supplemental Agreements automatically go into effect 90 days after submission if there have been no revisions requested by either party.

Thank you for hearing us.

Sincerely,



Mr. Andre' Jones
President Union CIS/ICE
AFGE LOCAL 2718

April 2013 Quarterly Meeting of the Membership

We have scheduled our April 2013 quarterly meeting for April 25, 2013.  Please contact your union rep if you have any agenda items you'd like to include.
There will once again be a call-in option:  Call-in number: 218 844-0850
Code# 967450#

MEETING NOTICE

AFGE Local 2718

Will hold its April 2013 Quarterly Membership Meeting

on

Thursday, April 25, 2013

12:30-1:30 p.m.

536 S. Clark, Chicago, IL

1st Floor Union Office

Agenda:

-Local Supplemental Agreement (LSA) update for CIS
-Labor/Management Forum update.

-Local Supplemental Agreement (LSA) update for the Chicago Asylum Office.

 -ICE Update – implementation of wheel.

Is there an item you’d like to see added to the Agenda?  Contact your union rep.

Open House Today

AFGE Local 2718 will hold an “open house” today from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at 101 W. Congress Pkwy, Chicago, in the first floor union office adjacent to the cashier booth.  If you are nearby, stop in person to ask questions, talk about issues, etc.  

For those not in downtown Chicago, we have a call-in option.  Please call the following conference number: 

218 844-0850
Code# 967450#

ICE Master Agreement 2000

Attention ICE BUEs - this is the link to your union contract:

http://intranet.ice.dhs.gov/doclib/sites/ero/pdf/union-contract2000.pdf

Sequestration News

Check out AFGE's Sequestration Central page for the latest:
http://www.afge.org/?Page=TheyCutYouPay

Rally to Stop the Sequester

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

***MEDIA ALERT***

Contact:               Dorothy James  (312-421-6245)                 Tim Kauffman (202-639-6405)

                                John J. O’Grady  (312-886-3575)                                Brent Barron (815-343-8634)

Federal Employees Rally to Stop the Sequester and Impacts to Government Services in Chicago Sequester Cuts will Severely Impact Government Services to Public

The American Federation of Government Employees Bureau of Prisons, Department of Agriculture, Department of Education and Commerce, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Labor, Environmental Protection Agency, Railroad Retirement Board, Social Security Administration, and Veterans Affairs, in conjunction with the Chicago Federation of Labor and the Illinois AFL-CIO will be having a protest rally in downtown Chicago to “Stop the Sequester” and to educate the public about the devastating impact of sequestration on government services provided to all Americans.

WHAT:                 Stop the Sequester Protest Rally

WHEN:                                 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 pm, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

WHERE:               John C. Kluczynski Federal Building Plaza

                                230 South Dearborn, Chicago, IL               

WHO:                   Federal civilian employees represented by the American Federation of Government Employees at the Bureau of Prisons, Department of Agriculture, Department of Education and Commerce, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Labor, Environmental Protection Agency, Railroad Retirement Board, Social Security Administration, and Veterans Affairs, in conjunction with the Chicago Federation of Labor and the Illinois AFL-CIO.

WHY:                    Federal employees are planning to hold about 100 rallies across the country on March 20 protesting sequestration, as part of a mass demonstration organized by the American Federation of Government Employees.

“Our message is very clear: sequestration has got to go,” AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr. said. “If federal employees are furloughed without pay, if offices and plants are shut down, if vacancies aren’t filled because of these across-the-board budget cuts, then federal employees won’t be able to do the work that the American public expects them to do.”

For a list of cities holding rallies, visit http://local.americawantstowork.org/all

##########

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 675,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Colu

Sequestration Rallies

Chicago Locals:

TUESDAY 3/19 RALLY PREPARATION 7:30 am Tuesday morning (3/19) we need volunteers to assist with handbilling with flyers infront of the Metcalfe building downtown, 77 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604, and other federal buildings while folks are heading into work to spread the word about Wednesday’s rally.

Please contact Nick Kreitman, District 7 Office Manager, 847-970-0575, if you are available.  Handbills about the rally will be provided.

-          Please send over a bullet point list of how Sequestration is impacting your agency as soon as possible- we need press handouts for the rally!!

RALLY WEDNESDAY 3/20

To AFGE Local Presidents and Points of Contact: Please arrive about 10:15 a.m. at the Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building the morning of the Rally (Wednesday, March 20, 2013) – Rally begins promptly at 11:30 a.m. in the Federal Plaza.

-          Please be prepared to speak to the press about sequestration, and to share your story about cuts at your agency

-          Bring your iphone and camera --- TAKE SHORT SEQUESTER STORIES AT THE EVENT the more content we can create from our events the better.  There will be ample time to record brief stories and appeals between chants, and waiting between speakers

-          Wear BLUE and any AFGE gear

-          The Chicago Federal of Labor has endorsed the rally and affiliate unions and community allies will be sending representatives to the rally. Either Jorge Ramierez or Bob Reiter from the CFL will be speaking at the rally.

-          Rally chants will be distributed the morning of the rally on papers,

Signs will be available:

1. Sequester Congress – Not Jobs!

2. Jobs Not Furloughs!

3. More Unemployment Brought to You by Congress!

4. Sequestration Hurts Working People

UPDATES ON OTHER RALLIES TAKING PLACE

Rock Island, IL AFGE Local 15

Call Tracy Leone at 309-738-3196 (Cell) or 563-324-9414  (office) with questions or to RSVP

What: Community Forum on Sequestration's Impact in the Quad Cities 

When: Wednesday March 20th

Time: 5:00-5:30pm

Where: Community Health Care Rock Island 2750 11th St

Speakers: Steve Beck, Federal employee on Arsenal Island with AFGE 15; Tom Seymour, President of the Quad Cities Alliance for Retired Americans; and Tom Bowman, CEO of Community Health Care, Inc. Each speaker will highlight how the sequester cuts will affect the various sectors of our local and national economy. 

MICHIGAN

For SE MI, Metro Detroit: An Informational Pickett/Rally on the public sidewalk in front of the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, MI, hosted by AFGE Local 1658, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm (6501 East 11 Mile Rd., Warren 48397 - North side of 11 Mile Rd., between Van Dyke and Mound Roads. Parking is available across the street at 6400 E. 11 Mile Rd.)

For Western MI: A Rally in McCamly Park near the Hart-Dole-Inouye DI Federal Center, in Battle Creek, MI, hosted by AFGE Local 1626, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm.  (McCamly Park is located at the Southeast interseaction of W. Van Buren St. and S. Wash8ington Ave.)

Locations and times are set for Four Rallies by AFGE Local 3272 :
Rally 1: Social Security Administration Office
455 Bond Street
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Start: 11:45 am
End: 1:00 pm
Please park on side street.

Rally 2: Social Security Administration Office
3045 Knapp Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Start: 11:45 am
End: 1:00 pm


Rally 3: Social Security Administration Office
1115 Washington Ave
Bay City, MI 48708
Start: 11:45 am
End: 1:00 pm


Rally 4: Social Security Administration Office
611 E. Genesee Ave.
Saginaw MI 48607
Start: 11:45 am
End: 1:00 pm

USCIS February 2013 Labor Management Forum

Union and Management met on February 21, 2013.  The highlights of the discussion:

*  Chicago Field Office Branch Structure - the Field Office Director, Martha Medina, will propose a plan to do away with the 3 branches, merge Adjudications and Customer Service, and form two teams, Team One and Team Two.  Every adjudicator would work on all types of applications.  The idea is to keep everybody fresh with all applications.  The FOD is still working on the plan details, including the roles of the current branch chiefs.  More information will be forthcoming.

*  Management would like to start a District Awards and Recognition Program.  Will solicit for volunteers to form a working group of employees and management, who will decide on categories, frequency, etc.  Look for management to solicit for volunteers soon.

*  USCIS has no plans for a furlough.  If anything changes, management will inform the union.

*  LSA update - We are still waiting on an effective date.  The agreement went back up for agency head review.  Our LER contact is looking into the status.

*  March 6, 2013, USCIS will hold an EEO overview given by an EEO judge from 1:30-3:30.

As always, please contact your union rep if you have input, concerns, or ideas.  We would like to hear from you.

Sequestration

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/02/08/fact-sheet-examples-how-sequester-would-impact-middle-class-families-job

ICE Sequestration Update

From: ICE AFGE NATIONAL COUNCIL 118
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 12:49 PM
To: Council118BList
Subject: ICE Council - Sequestration Update

Sent on behalf of Chris Crane, ICE Council President:

The National ICE Council just completed a phone conference with Radha Sekar, ICE Chief Financial Officer, regarding the impact of sequestration for ICE employees.  At this point the information is limited, and we strongly caution that information regarding sequestration is not final and therefore all information is subject to change.  However, the following captures the points provided to the union today.

·         ICE plans to release a broadcast message to ICE employees regarding sequestration which outlines the significant details of ICE’s proposed spending cuts.  ICE intends to release the broadcast by Friday, March 1, 2013, but specified that release is dependent on approval/authorization of the broadcast by DHS.
·         ICE anticipates a 6% cut throughout its budget over the next seven months (March 1-Sept. 30, 2013).  In total, ICE must reduce its spending by $374M in FY 2013.
·         ICE’s sequestration plan does not include a furlough of ICE employees.  However, this plan must be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Congress for approval, so the decision/proposal is not final.
·         Of the $374M in proposed ICE spending cuts, ICE anticipates that $84M will be cut from custody/detention related operations.  The remaining spending cuts ($290M) will be made across all ICE programs and will include cuts to training, fuel, travel, fleet, conferences, and service contracts, etc.
·         ICE would not provide details but did specify that Overtime, AUO, and FLSA would also be reviewed for possible cuts.
Again, while this plan appears promising, at least in terms of not furloughing employees, this information is not set in stone and could change.  Additionally, sequestration is not the only obstacle facing ICE employees in the upcoming months.  The Continuing Resolution (CR) that currently funds the government in the absence of a Congressional budget is set to expire on March 27, 2013.  If Congress fails to reach an agreement to continue funding of the government before the CR expires, a government shutdown (separate from sequestration) could take place and could result in the furlough of Federal employees from any Federal agency, to include ICE.    
As with occurrences of looming furloughs in years past, we advise that employees ignore all rumors and speculation, whether it’s in the workplace or on television, and instead stay alert to updates from verified and reliable sources with concrete information specific to ICE ERO employees. 

From the President's Corner

Please read and understand those elements listed below as being a change in and to your life.

Remember,   your local union Afge 2718 is committed to transparency and we will strive even harder to keep you informed.

Things you should know...

On February 9, 2013 (Saturday)

Location Washington D.C.

Time: 0830hrs until 17:30

Topics: meeting of delegates and Council 119

The following information was covered during Council  119 meeting with delegates and Local AFGE Presidents.

Secretary/Treasurer: Angela Lopez has presented a budget to the floor that was previously rejected by local Presidents.

Subsequently, the budget was re-introduced as following:

Las Vegas...Original totals of the budget$216,086.
Accounts with Wells Fargo

Business checking account totaling $39,237
Money market totaling  $340,354

As of February 7, 2013 national budget totaling $409,259

For Council 119 financial recording. ..Software of choice QuickBook Pro 2012

December 2012, Two (2) locals voted for the budget and two voted two (2) not vote to pass the budget.

The delegates voted to change the budget and the details and results will be rolled out and sent to each local President.

The delegates voted for three (3) (Committee) Auditors to conduct an audit in Houston Texas...dates are TBD.


Legislative Conference: In short

2- year pay freeze & 2013 raise of 0.5% delayed to April. $88 billion

2.3% increase in employees' retirement contributions for post 2012 hires (part of  UI extension in February). Which scores as a tax increase on middle class.   $ 15 billion.

Sequester: Friday,  March 1, 2013.  Info you should know

Federal Employees are within the 26th month of a 27 month pay freeze, which saved the government $60 million.

Smaller retirement income for retires

Federal Employees should have received at least 2.2% salary adjustment in January 2013, with a 1.2% across the board and other 1% for locality adjustments.

President Obama has proposed ending the freeze with a 0.5%  raise in April 2013.

House Republicans has voted to extend the pay freeze for the remaining of calendar year 2013 for a full year and three year duration.

The 2.2% raise would not allow Federal Employees to recoup their losses from the freeze.

The pay freeze is political and against the guidance of the Department of Labor and Bureau of labor statistics...BLS  measures of  market comparability.

The House has again threaten to pass legislation that includes elements of the following from The Simpson-Bowles:

1). Changes to the formula for crediting years of service for FERS

2). Changes to the formula for calculating annuities from a "high 3" basis to a
       "high 5" basis.

3). Creating a two-tier retirement system, with large increases in the amount
       that current FERS employees would be required to pay for these reduced
       annuities and massive increases for new employees.

4). Reducing cost of living adjustments for FERS and CSRS  retires through the Chained CPI

5). Eliminate the FERS supplemental for early retirees.

6). Reducing the government's share of  FEHBP premiums for retirees, and

7). Raising the retirement age for Social Security.

* The trust funds of which federal retirement benefits are paid are fully funded.

* Federal employees hired after January 1, 2013 will pay 3. 1% of their salaries towards their retirement benefits, an increase imposed upon them to offset the cost of extending Unemployment Insurance in 2012.

*Forcing federal employees to pay more for either small or the same pension is a selective tax increase.

ICE Overseas Escort Wheel Proposal and Counter-Proposal

There are an estimated 27+ deportation officers & immigration enforcement agents within local 2660 (indianapolis & louisville). If you would like to comment please do so to the following email:   michael_afge2718@hotmail.com. 

Management's Proposal: 

RE: Overseas Escort Wheel

Proposal Date: Wednesday, December 12th, 2012.

Management would like for you to review and consider the below bulleted items:

• Implement one overseas escort assignment wheel that will be created to include all of the following: Immigration Enforcement Agents (IEAs), Deportation Officers (DOs), Supervisory Immigration Enforcement Agents (SIEAs) and Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officers (SDDOs).

• High Profile Removal escorts will only be assigned to DOs.

• The overseas escort wheel will list all of the above mentioned personnel in descending order based upon the last overseas trip that they completed.

• Employees who transfer in from other offices will be placed at the bottom of the list as well as those new employees who enter on duty after successful completion of the ICE Academy.

• The name of all SIEAs and SDDOs will comprise one spot on the rotation list.

• All escorting teams must consist of one (1) Deportation Officer.

• At least one (1) of the two (2) escorting officers selected for each foreign escort must be assigned at Chicago or Broadview to allow for local logistical issues—ensuring that the alien is timely transported to BSSA, obtaining visas as needed, coordinating luggage drop off with family members, assisting with cashing checks, coordinating transportation to the airport and other detention duties associated with the removal of an alien.

• Passing on an escort is not permissible by any of the personnel named in the first bullet for any reason other than approved annual/sick leave, administrative leave, voluntary leave without pay, medical disability or military leave.

• The foreign escort wheel will be posted on the Share Drive.

• Fug Ops officers are excluded from conducting foreign escorts due to HQ policy.

This Overseas Escort Wheel will only involve the following AFGE Union Local 2718 (Chicago) and Local 2660 (Indianapolis) 

Union Counter Proposal:

  

RE: Overseas Escort Wheel

AFGE Union Local 2718 and Local 2660

January, 18, 2013,

The AFGE Union Local 2718 and Local 2660 has carefully considered and reviewed Management’s pre-decisional involvement (PDI) proposal regarding the “overseas escort wheel policy” received on December 12, 2012. As exclusive representative of the Bargaining Unit Employee (BUE), the AFGE Union as one collective body has prepared for management a proposal based on the comments and concerns of our bargaining employees.

• Implement one “overseas escort assignment wheel” that will incorporate all of the following: Immigration Enforcement Agents (IEA), Deportation Officers (DO), Supervisory Immigration Enforcement Agents (SIEA), and Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer (SDDO).

• Deportation Officers (DO) and Immigration Enforcement Agents (IEA) will be eligible and assigned to High Profile Removals escorts.

• The “overseas escort assignment wheel” will list all of the above mentioned personnel in descending order based upon the last overseas trip completed by officers/agents. All other officers and agents not assigned to an “overseas escort assignment” will remain in place, unless otherwise assigned.

• All officers and/or agents who transfer to the Chicago ICE District Field Office from another field office and/or sub-office will automatically be placed at the bottom of the “overseas escort assignment wheel”. New employees who enter on duty after fully successfully completing the ICE academy training will also be placed at the bottom of the “overseas escort assignment wheel”. New employees must take their first (1) “overseas escort assignment” with a senior deportation officer (DO) and/or Immigration Enforcement Agent (IEA).

• The name of all SIEA’s and SDDO’s will comprise one single spot on the “overseas escort assignment wheel”.

• All Deportation Officers (DO) and Immigration Enforcement Agents (IEA) will be eligible for an “overseas escort assignment”.

• At least one (1) of the two (2) assigned escorting deportation officer(DO) and/or Immigration Enforcement Agent (IEA) selected for each foreign escort must be assigned to the Chicago or Broadview (BSSA) office, in order to allow for local logistical issues-ensuring that the alien is timely transported to BSSA, obtaining visas as needed, coordinating luggage drop off with family members, assisting with cashing checks, coordinating transportation to the airport and other detention duties associated with the removal of the alien.

• Passing on an “overseas escort assignment” is permissible for any deportation officer (DO) and Immigration Enforcement Agent (IEA).

• The “overseas escort assignment wheel” will be posted on the Shared Drive and updated before the close of business (COB) every day. An electronic notification, via email, will be forwarded to a member of the local 2718 after deportation officers (DO) and Immigration Enforcement Agents (IEA) have been selected for an “overseas escort assignment”.

• Deportation Officers assigned to the Fugitive Operations Team will be eligible for “overseas escort assignment”.

The AFGE Union has considered several elements in an effort to maximize manpower and cross train officers and/or agents with minimal disturbance to daily operations.

Respectfully,

Gregory M. Ortiz

Vice President, Union

AFGE Union Local 2718

2013 Proposed Budget

AFGE Local 2718 2013 Proposed Budget

Total Cash On Hand $74,693

Projected Payables to 2718 from national $8,670

Other projected Revenues $ 3,000

Total Revenues Projected $86,364

(with no growth)

Expenses

Affiliation Fees:

$519

Office Expenses:

$1,072

Training /Meetings:

$7,100

Organizing:

 $1,000

Other :

$5,000

Carryover Expenses from Previous Budget(s):

$1,060

Total Projected Expenses and use of Funds $ 15,751

Total Projected Revenues and Funds Available $ 70, 613

All of these figures are estimates. The executive Board (EB) cannot guarantee that some of these expenses may be more a less. Last year our local was more than $8,000 under budget.

Up votes (yay)

Down votes (nay)

Any member that conferences into the meeting must provide a member number to verify your vote.

February 6, 2013 Quarterly Meeting Follow-up

** Please note - the 2013 budget was an agenda item for the January 30, 2013 quarterly meeting, for which notice was given on January 22, 2013.  The treasurer had a last-minute emergency to deal with and could not attend the January 30 meeting.  Therefore, it was announced that the budget presentation and vote would take place on February 6. 

As announced at the quarterly meeting on January 30, the 2013 budget discussion will be held on Wednesday, February 6, 2013, at 12:30 p.m. via teleconference.  Please call in to participate in the discussion.  The call-in information is:

218 844-0850
Code# 967450#

Quarterly Meeting Location

The January 30, 2013 quarterly membership meeting will be held at 536 S. Clark in the 5th Floor Computer Room from 12:30-1:30 p.m.  Please see the previous post for agenda and call-in information.

January 2013 Quarterly Meeting Notice & Agenda

Thanks for your input on the quarterly meeting survey (see results in the January 12 post below).  We have scheduled our January 2013 quarterly meeting according to the wishes of the majority of our members.

There will once again be a call-in option:  Call-in number: 218 844-0850
Code# 967450#

MEETING NOTICE

AFGE Local 2718

Will hold its January 2013 Quarterly Membership Meeting

on

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

12:30-1:30 p.m.

536 S. Clark, Chicago, IL

5th Floor Computer Room

Agenda:

-Budget for 2013.

-Local Supplemental Agreement (LSA) update for CIS

-Legislative Conference February 9-14, 2013.

-Labor/Management Forum update.

-Local Supplemental Agreement (LSA) update for the Chicago Asylum Office.

 -ICE Update – implementation of wheel.

Is there an item you’d like to see added to the Agenda?  Contact your union rep.

USCIS January 2013 Labor Management Forum

USCIS District 14 Management and Union had a very productive January LMF meeting on January 17.  Some highlights:

      *  Ground rules include rotating bargaining unit members and supervisors into the meetings so everyone will have the chance to participate.  Look for management to solicit for volunteers in the near future.
      *  LMF Meetings will typically occur on the second Thursday of the month from 10:30-11:30 a.m.  Please contact your union rep if you have an item you'd like to see on the agenda.
      *  Our joint goals are to improve our office, increase transparency, and increase trust between employees and management.
      *  Management proposes to institute a voluntary District Mentoring Program, an Individual Development Plan campaign, and a District Survey.
      *  The union asked for a report of the current demographics of the District.
      *  Management will provide an informational notice and begin allowing 30 minutes to conduct each naturalization interview instead of the current 20 minutes.

We hope everyone will become involved as these LMF meetings continue.  We are making great strides toward a more cooperative relationship with management and welcome your input.

Survey Results

Thanks to all who participated in the survey regarding quarterly meetings.  We had a great response rate, and it's clear that the great majority of you want to be involved.  We will be taking these results into account as we schedule our upcoming meetings.

The results are:

AFGE Local 2718 holds quarterly membership meetings in January, April, July, and October. Which of the following best describes your interest in participating in these quarterly meetings? (Please choose only one.)

• Answered: 74
• Skipped: 0

Answer Choices	Responses
I would like to attend and participate in person.	55.41% 41
I would like the option to call-in to participate.	20.27% 15
I am not interested in attending or calling in, but I would like to read the meeting minutes afterward.	17.57% 13
I am not interested in attending, calling in, or reading the minutes afterward.	6.76% 5
Total Respondents: 74

Which day of the week would you prefer quarterly meetings to occur? (Please choose only one.)

• Answered: 74
• Skipped: 0

Answer Choices	Responses
Monday	12.16% 9
Tuesday	10.81% 8
Wednesday	35.14% 26
Thursday	24.32% 18
Friday	17.57% 13
Total Respondents: 74

What time of day would you prefer quarterly meetings to occur? (Please choose only one.) Keep in mind that any meeting time that is not your lunch hour or after work may require you to take leave in order to participate.

• Answered: 74
• Skipped: 0

Answer Choices	Responses
Morning	12.16% 9
Lunch hour	32.43% 24
Afternoon	28.38% 21
After work hours	27.03% 20
Total Respondents: 74

What location would you prefer for the quarterly meetings?

• Answered: 74
• Skipped: 0

Answer Choices	Responses
A meeting room in the federal building at 536 S. Clark St., Chicago, IL	64.86% 48
A bar or restaurant near 536 S. Clark St., Chicago, IL    Other (please specify) ( 10 )   Chicago Union representatives are a poor representation of the bargaining unit, unlike other field offices Alternate, the Milwaukee Field Office 1 qtr, Chicago next qtr, etc Realize that not everyone works or lives close to the damn city. Stop making everything easy for CITY PEOPLE!!!!!!! Sorry I'm working out of the Saint Louis Field Office broadview I live in Wisconsin bruce allen's house PLEASE CALL TO CHICAGO HEARING SOCIETY PHONE NUMBERS TO CONTACT TO ROLANDA KING ON PHONE PROVIDE TO GIVE ME INTERPRETER FOR ME AND DEAF EMPLOYEE MUST BY ADA'S LAW (AMERICAN WITH THE DISABILITY ACT'S LAW AND GOVERMENT MUST PAY US TO GET PROVIDE TO GET US INTERPRER BY ADA'S LAW BY PRESIDENT BUSH PASSED ADA'S LAW IN JULY 26, 1990 HE SIGNED UP HIS NAME BY ADA'S LAW, PLEASE OKAY. THANKS. Meeting held at 5 pm Call in,