Summary of Legislative Conference and Annual Training Conference

NTEU Legislative Conference and Annual Training

NTEU Legislative Conference (February 26-28, 2014)

NTEU held its Legislative Conference from February 26-28, 2014.  NTEU280's elected officers actively participated in this great opportunity to discuss Federal employee concerns with members of Congress and their staffs.  Among the issues discussed:

- ending sequestration
- ensuring adequate agency funding
- protecting our health benefits

- protecting our retirement benefits
- eliminating unnecessary contracting out; and
- limiting the reimbursement cap for individual contractors to the level of the Vice President of the United States' salary

President Colleen Kelley noted in her remarks to attendees that after years with no pay raises and increased out of pocket costs that "Federal workers are in danger of slipping from the middle class.  Many attendees expressed the concern that reductions in the value of pay and benefits are making it difficult to attract and keep new employees.

NTEU had a lunch time rally in front of the Capitol.  Despite cold and wind, it was very well attended, including by our Chapter.  Several members of Congress came out to speak to the crowd.

Participation in the legislative conference is an important activity for our Chapter.  In addition to getting the word out about our concerns to National decision-makers, we are able to network with officers from other NTEU chapters and learn about and strategize over common issues facing our members.

NTEU Training Conference (March 18-20, 2014)

NTEU held its training conference in Arlington, VA.  Twenty-six chapters were in attendance.

Chapter officers and stewards assembled, including your NTEU280 officers and several stewards.  In the opening plenary session, we watched an updated version of the video "Federal Employees - They Work for U.S." that included an interview with our own NTEU280 President, Amer Al-Mudallal.  National President Colleen Kelley explained that we are seeking a 3.3% pay raise but that even 1% is opposed by some.  She also mentioned that attacks on our federal employee health benefits continue.  The issue of contractor pay caps and wasteful contract consultants was also discussed.  NTEU's work on behalf of Federal employees continues!  NTEU280 was recognized as one of the chapters that has experienced significant growth in the President's remarks.

All elected officers and stewards have been encouraged to attend this training as their schedules permit.  Several attended, but we should have the goal of 100% attendance next year.  The training is designed in tracks to best serve participants in their Chapter roles. The track are seminar (typically for chapter presidents and similar senior officers), leadership (for officers and stewards who have completed their stewardship training), and stewardship (for new stewards or those seeking a refresher).

The annual training is highly valuable.  One item we look forward to every year is an update on cases.  In addition, grievance exercises are presented in a way that assists attendees to form groups and brainstorm, which will assist them in strategizing how to help members when they return to their own chapters.