February 24, 2007

Welcome to the chapter 142 website. I would like to thank Chapter officials Steward James Lariviere and President Glenn Dockham for their time and effort to this site. Chapter 142 officials are volunteers who receive no further compensation for their hard work and devoted time. As the chapter’s Chief steward I will try to disseminate as much information on local issues as is possible. I am a Highgate officer and assigned there so most of what I have to say will relate to Highgate officers only, but others should find valuable information as well.

I know everyone is concerned with the new schedule. Here is what is happening. You would always have consecutive days off and every month or so you would have two consecutive three-day weekends. I did poll everyone to see what their desired shifts were in the hopes of getting permanent shifts. This was to affect only passenger processing officers. Obviously cargo, trade and enforcement officers would have to have their own schedule. All of this was shown and worked on with Lisa Newman who had also been looking for a better schedule. This schedule was proposed to PD Jim McMillan. In October he told me that he liked it and saw the benefits of it but he wanted to first see it worked in a rotating manner before going to a shift bidding system. No more split days off and quick turns should be limited to the change over at the end of a 40-hour workweek. As far as the shift bidding that could be a tough one. The CMC labor person in Boston tells us we can’t do it. We will bring up again before summer.

As you recall we also had the issue with over 25 officers never receiving the class one uniform. The names and articles missing were tallied up more than once and sent to HRM in D.C. Theory is they are slowly checking with VF Solutions to verify of what was and wasn’t sent. I was told that APD Nott says that the uniforms will be obtained one way or another with out cost to the officers. I don’t know what the hold up is but I was told the issue was TOT local management for remedy. I was told I should discuss the issue with them and not seek further explanation from HRM in D.C. Nothing new at this time.

The FLRA has finally ruled against AFGE’s objections of last summer’s election and upheld NTEU’s victory. AFGE can now file for a full FLRA review no later than March 19. The FLRA would then have to respond within 60 days of the filing for the review. AFGE has stated that it will file for a full review. At least we’re getting closer for everyone to get the representation they deserve.

A couple of small issues to think about. If you are entitled to local travel don’t hesitate to use it. Don’t let someone tell you that you can’t use it if you ARE entitled. I have gone over this before. See a steward or me if you need clarification or assistance.

As in the past local travel claims have been ignored for several months. It doesn’t mean we are not entitled to local travel. Mcmillan was sent ccmails, telephone calls and personal visits related to the subject. He personally informed me that he would review them that day. That was the end of January. A week later he stated that he had approved them all and couldn’t explain why they were not being approved other than he isn’t the final approver that Boston is now. He said he would research the issue. Two weeks went by and no answer from Mcmillan. A letter was sent to Nott. Finally, she says she has them and has "never seen so many" and is reviewing them for correctness. That was over ten days ago. If you are entitled to local travel please submit a claim. She is not seeing even a quarter of what really should be submitted. Update: On 02/28/07 several claims were approved.

Beginning on February 14th through the 15th we had a blizzard and several officers could not make it to work or went home early. Watch your pay stubs and note the type of leave that was charged. Both the Leave Handbook and the National agreement have provisions authorizing administrative leave for weather conditions that prevent an employee from reporting to work. DHS/CBP Leave Handbook, HB 51600-01A, April 2004, Chapter 8, subparagraph 13, Absence for Hazzardous Weather Conditions. The National Agreement, Article 13, Section 35, Part C. It seems Nott may have her own rulebook on this subject.

Also watch your TECS usage. Be sure that you can justify your searches. Every keystroke is recorded and monitored. Never query your name, address or other personal information in either training or production mode. It is allowable in training mode, but not worth the risk. Always train using border crossers.

Sincerely,
Derek W. Paoletti
Chapter Chief Steward