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#