NFFE Locals 1840, 1855 & 1697 - Recently Updated Pages

Fair & Equitable Penalty

rwb59b — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 12:09:14 CST

From Mark Davis, 1/5/2011

Rob, glad we had a chance to talk this out. Per our discussion, I'd recommend looking to the Article 22 requirement that discipline be fair and equitable and file an info request for penalties imposed for similar offenses across the CCC. They may try to limit the info they will provide to just the individual supervisor or Center, claiming that penalties at, say, different Centers cannot be compared. Recent case law suggests otherwise. A good summary is at http://www.passmanandkaplan.com/CM/FederalLegalCorner/FederalLegalCorner167.asp. The relevant cases are:
Woebcke v. Department of Homeland Security, 2010 MSPB 85
Williams v. SSA, 586 F.3d 1365 (Fed. Cir. 2009)

I found out about these cases at Reno. James Eisenmann, MSPB General Counsel, mentioned them at the conclusion of his talk. I have not studied these cases myself, but based on the summary it looks like you have a good argument to get the information. The burden would then be on the agency to show why the comparisons are not relevant to the case. Good luck, my brother.

Grievance

rwb59b — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:27:58 CST

Grievance Committee Chairperson
Douglas Vanover
Pine Knot CCC
606-354-2862
dvanover@fs.fed.us

Committee Members
Sherry Hummel, Angell CCC
Don Flemon, Ouachita CCC
Solomon Jones, Flatwoods CCC
Timothy Helzer, Timber Lake CCC
Lance Hamann, Mingo CCC
Beverly Tobin, Great Onyx CCC
Kathy Simmons, Golconda CCC
Kenneth Barclay, Pine Knot CCC
Michelle Marnhout, Pine Knot CCC

The committee convenes weekly on Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. est by teleconference

SF 1187 Processing Guidelines for New Membership

rwb59b — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 13:38:47 CST

Attached is the directions for processing an SF 1187 to process a new union member.

A copy should be maintained by the Local, the original sent to the ASC address listed in the instructions, and a copy sent to National Secretary-Treasurer William Fenaughty.

For those of you who have signed up members and their dues have not been deducted, please contact your Local Sec/Trea. as listed.

In addition, an email was received from our NFFE Representative Gary Johanson in October 2008. He had just returned from the ASC.

Gary states:

I have two phone numbers for employees who process 1187s in the ALB HCM.
I suggest you call one of the following two individuals a few days after you
mail your 1187s to ensure your 1187s have been received and processed.
Reanetta Siquieros processes the 1187s. Her phone # is 505 563-9276.
The Branch chief is Sophia Chapman. Her phone # is 505 563-9275.

Instructions for NFFE Locals in the Forest Service

To become union members, employees must complete the SF-1187 form and the IAM Application. After employee completes each form, Local stewards must ensure that the forms are submitted to the Local President for signature in Section B.

SF-1187:

1. Be sure the first section of the SF-1187 is accurately completed and legible, preferably typed
2. Make sure the employee signs the form in Section B
3. Make a copy of the form. Retain one copy locally. Send the other copy to your Local President for signature.
4. The Local President or Secretary-Treasurer shall send the original form via certified mail to:
ASC -- HCM
3900 Masthead St, NE
Mail Stop 225, ATTN: PAY
Albuquerque, NM 87109

Minimum $23.59 per pay period for dues in 2011. The Local 1855 is $24.59 per pay period.

The point of contact for processing of SF 1187s at ASC is Valerie Vega.

Valerie Vega
HR Assistant-Compensation
USDA Forest Service
ASC-HRM
3900 Masthead Street NE M/S 225
Albuquerque, NM 87109
Phone: 505-563-9460
Fax:866-339-6435
Email: vvega@fs.fed.us
Work Schedule: 7:00am-3:30pm

5. The Local President or Secretary-Treasurer shall send or fax a copy to:
National Federation of Federal Employees
Attn: Secretary - Treasurer
805 15th St. NW
Suite 500
Washington, DC 80005
Fax: 202-898-1862

6. One copy will be archived in the permanent records maintained by the Local Secretary-Treasurer.
7. The initiating steward will follow up with the employee in 2 pay periods to ensure that it was indeed processed and dues are being withheld.

IAMAW Application for Membership

1. Be sure that your Local number is accurate in the first paragraph. Add the employee's home email address to the form.
2. Make two copies of the form.
3. Give one copy to the employee.
4. File one copy in the Local’s records with the SF-1187.
5. Send or fax the original to:
National Federation of Federal Employees
Attn: Secretary - Treasurer
805 15th St. NW
Suite 500
Washington, DC 80005

Fax: 202-898-1862

Larry E. King
F.S.C. Vice President
Civilian Conservation Corps, USFS
President
Eastern and Mississippi Valley
C.C.C. Locals
NFFE-IAM
606-354-2176

Treasure Lake CCC

rwb59b — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:55:09 CST

Forest T. (Troy) Banks, Steward
Reading Instructor
Treasure Lake Job Corps
1111 Indiahoma Road
Indiahoma, OK 73552
Office 580-246-3203 Ext 2042609
Cell 580-678-4698
vmail 580-246-3203 Ext 146
email Banks.Troy@jobcorps.org

Jerry Thorne, Steward
thorne.jerry@jobcorps.org

Local 1855, Eastern

MichelleMarnhout — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:32:23 CST

President: Solomon Jones (Flatwoods)
Vice-President: Michelle Marnhout (Pine Knot)
Secretary Treasurer: Hugh Russell (Oconaluftee)
Recording Secretary: Jennifer McKenzie (Frenchburg)
Conductor Sentinel: Michelle Marnhout
Board of Directors: Larry King

Negotiations

MichelleMarnhout — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:28:20 CST

Negotiations Committee, Chairperson
William L. Benner II
Steward,Blackwell Job Corps
NFFE-IAM, Local 1840
Work: 715-674-7363
Home: 715-759-5209
Fax: 715-759-5209
Cell: 906-221-1518
wlbenner@fs.fed.us
deerhunter48@centurytel.net

Committee Members:
Tim Helzer, Local 1697
Chris Bush, Local 1855
Peggy-Sue Graves, Local 1840
Rob Barth, Local 1840
Jerry Case, Local 1697
Leif Amundson, Local 1697
Ken Barclay, Local 1855

Anaconda CCC

rwb59b — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:54:51 CST

Anaconda Job Corps CCC
1407 Foster Creek Rd
Anaconda, MT 59711

Chris Feutrier Steward
Anaconda CCC
406-563-8753 wk.
406-563-7596 home
406-214-1719 cell
cfeutrier@fs.fed.us

Gary Shelton
glshelton@fs.fed.us

Wolf Creek CCC

rwb59b — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:52:39 CST

Steward Shawn Patterson
shawnpatterson@fs.fed.us

John C. Strode
Resident Advisor - Challis Lodge
Wolf Creek Job Corps
2010 Opportunity Lane
Glide, OR 97443
jcstrode@fs.fed.us
(541) 496-3507 Ext 8681
Fax (541) 496-8515

Jason Brown, Steward
jwbrown02@fs.fed.us

Timber Lake CCC

rwb59b — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:51:11 CST

Timber Lake Job Corps CCC
59868 E. Hwy 224

Estacada, OR 97023

Tim Helzer, President
503-834-3454
thelzer@fs.fed.us

Brian Hickman, Vice President/Steward
503-834-2291 ext. 1673
bshickman@fs.fed.us

Lisa McNee, Recording Secretary/Steward
503-834-2291-1639
lllewis@fs.fed.us

Patrick (Rick) Goodson, Steward
503-834-2291 ext. 1672
pgoodson@fs.fed.us

Jacobs Creek CCC

rwb59b — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 12:09:52 CST

Dolores King, Steward
Jacobs Creek CCC
984 Denton Valley Rd.
Bristol, TN 37620
(423) 878-4021
doloresking@fs.fed.us

Steward Alice Barnette
abarnette@fs.fed.us

Steward Paul Henley
Jacobs Creek Job Corps CCC
Academic Instructor
Work: 423-878-4021 ex. 251
paulhenley@fs.fed.us

Center Stewards, 1840 & 1855

rwb59b — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:24:25 CST

Blackwell CCC	Cass CCC
Flatwoods CCC	Frenchburg CCC
Golconda CCC	Jacobs Creek CCC
Great Onyx CCC	Oconaluftee CCC
Mingo CCC	Ouachita CCC
Pine Knot CCC	Chief Steward, 1840, 1855
Harpers Ferry CCC	Treasure Lake CCC

Harpers Ferry CCC

rwb59b — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:06:05 CDT

Alyce Lyles, Steward
aslyles@fs.fed.us
(W) 304-724-3417
(C) 202-276-0034

Mortricia "Renee" Marshall, Steward
mrmarshall@fs.fed.us
(W) 304-724-3442

Weather Emergencies

rwb59b — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 11:27:10 CDT

http://www.opm.gov/oca/compmemo/2005/2005-18hb.pdf

This is a link to the Handbook On Pay and Leave Benefits For Federal Employees Affected By Severe Weather Conditions Or Other Emergency Situations

Flatwoods CCC

rwb59b — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 10:33:59 CDT

Flatwoods Job Corps CCC
2803 Dungannon Rd.
Coeburn, VA 24230

Jason Sartin, Steward
US Forest Service
Flatwoods CCC
2803 Dungannon Rd.
Coeburn, VA 24230
276-395-3384
jsartin@fs.fed.us

Solomon Jones, Steward
Grievance Committee, Chairman
1-276-395-8484 secure fax

Annual Leave 2010

rwb59b — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 16:55:07 CDT

File Code:	6160-2	Date:	September 20, 2010
Route To:

Subject:	Year End Scheduling of Use or Lose Annual Leave and Restoration of Annual Leave

To:	Regional Foresters, Station Directors, Area Director, IITF Director, Deputy Chiefs and WO Staff

This is a reminder of the annual process for officially scheduling annual leave as it relates to restoration of annual leave if the employee is unable to use it due to an exigency of Forest Service business, personal illness, or administrative error. All requests for leave restoration must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2011, in order to be considered. Attached are instructions on how to request restoration of forfeited annual leave.
Leave restoration should be the exception rather than the rule. It is up to a supervisor or manager to make the decision as to whether leave needs to be cancelled; this is not at the discretion of the employee. Employees cannot cancel their leave nor request that it be cancelled and expect restoration. Employees who will have “use or lose” annual leave must have it scheduled and approved in writing prior to November 20, 2010 (end of pay period 23). The unit head or delegated acting unit head (Forest Supervisor, District Ranger) must make a decision in advance of leave cancellation on pre-scheduled approved leave in excess of 240 hours, and must document the reason in writing. Failure in accomplishing this step will result in denial of the leave restoration request.
Employees SHOULD NOT USE CREDIT HOURS OR COMPENSATORY TIME if they are in a use or lose situation. Credit hours and compensatory time should be used after all use or lose annual leave has been taken. If credit hours or compensatory time is used during a period when use or lose leave could have been scheduled, these hours will be deducted from the annual leave hours to be restored.
A request for restoration does not assure approval. Requests that do not comply with the requirements outlined in FSH 6109.11_30, section 31.92, paragraph 4(a)-(c) will be denied by ASC-HRM. You will be notified when a decision is made regarding your request. If approved, the leave will be credited at the National Finance Center (NFC) and placed in the restored leave section of your Paycheck8. You will have two years from the date of approval to use the restored leave. Should restored leave not be taken within the two year period, it is forfeited without any further restoration options.
Please utilize the following procedures to request restoration of forfeited leave:
1. Create a CRM case yourself by going through ConnectHR (Dashboard), click on HR Help (CRM), then click on Self Service, or
2. Call the Contact Center at 1-877-372-7248, option 2 to create a case.
3. Attach supporting documentation to the CRM case. Samples of the required documents are included as attachments to this letter. Failure to submit all the required supporting documentation will result in a delay of your request being processed.
If you have questions regarding this direction, please contact Deedra Fogle, Supervisor for Pay & Leave, ASC-HRM, at 1-877-372-7248, ext 9515.

/s/ Ronald J. Banegas (for)

ROBIN D. BAILEY JR.
Director, Human Resources Management

Oconaluftee CCC

rwb59b — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 08:55:56 CDT

Hugh W. Russell
Career Preparation Specialist
Secretary / Steward
NFFE-IAM , Local 1855
Oconaluftee Job Corps CCC
502 Oconaluftee Job Corps Rd.
Cherokee, NC 28719
Work Phone: 828-497-8042
Cell Phone: 828-400-4079
hrussell@fs.fed.us

Tim Robertson, Steward
Local 1855, NFFE
PO Box 413
Waynesville, NC 28786-0413
Cell: 828-989-3302
Email: trobertson@fs.fed.us
Email: tarob01@yahoo.com

H1N1 From USDA Chief

rwb59b — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:34:51 CDT

SEP 17 2009
MEMORANDUM
TO: All USDA Employees
FROM: Thomas J. Vilsack
Secretary of Agriculture
SUBJECT: Preparations for the Flu Season
A second wave ofHINI influenza has begun in the United States. Many of you and your
families may already have been affected by the spread of the HINI virus within your own
communities. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is well prepared to protect its
workforce and continue its vital mission as the country faces the challenge of potentially
widespread influenza transmission.
Let me assure you that your health and well-being during this time are my highest priorities.
We have been in, and will continue, conversations with unions representing USDA employees
as we prepare for the flu season. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued recent
guidance for businesses and employers that addresses such key topics as reducing transmission
among staff, facilities cleaning, and the use of social distancing. The Office of Personnel
Management (OPM) has issued guidance to agencies regarding pay and leave policies,
telecommuting, and other flexibilities to be considered under pandemic influenza conditions.
These guidance documents can be found at www.cdc.gov/hiniflu, www.opm.gov/hiniflu, and
www.chcoc.gov. USDA will follow CDC and OPM guidance on these important issues, and
I urge all employees, managers, and agency leaders to review this information.
USDA is a large department with diverse offices and operations in many communities
throughout the United States and around the world. Influenza rates and impact will vary across
locations, necessitating significant decisionmaking at the local level. It is my expectation that
these decisions will be consistent with CDC and OPM guidance and that they will be made fairly
and without discrimination.
During this time, I ask you to consider what you can do to help protect yourselves, your
coworkers, and the mission that we serve. Actions such as washing your hands, covering your
cough or sneeze, and staying home when you are sick will go a long way in helping reduce the
spread of influenza in our workplace. We are exploring ways to facilitate vaccinations against
HINI as we receive more information regarding vaccine availability. Familiarizing yourself
with your agency's plan for maintaining essential functions will strengthen our collective ability
to continue the important work our Department does, every day in every way.

Anti-Harassment Policy

rwb59b — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:22:49 CDT

File Code:	1700	Date:	August 27, 2009
Route To:

Subject:	Forest Service Anti-Harassment Policy

To:	All Employees

I have always been and continue to be firmly committed to promoting a policy that provides all employees with a workplace that is free of harassment. Such a workplace provides a setting where employees can feel valued and safe.
There are two forms of harassment. One form is unwelcome conduct that unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work performance or that otherwise adversely affects employment opportunities. It is based upon an individual’s protected class which includes race, color, religion, sex (sexual or non-sexual), national origin, age, disability, and reprisal. Another form is sexual harassment defined as any unwelcome verbal, nonverbal or physical advance, request for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: (1) submission to or rejection of such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment: (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for decisions about employment, promotion, transfer, selection for training, performance evaluations, benefits, or other terms and conditions of employment; or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment or substantially interferes with an employee’s work performance.
Employees who feel they are being harassed should report the incident immediately through their chain of command before it becomes severe or pervasive. If an employee believes that reporting the incident through their chain of command is a conflict of interest, the employee can contact the Forest Service Office of Civil Rights located in the Washington Office at 202-205-1585. Once an incident has been reported, a prompt, thorough, and impartial inquiry will be completed and appropriate corrective action, including discipline or removal, will be taken. To the extent possible, all reports of harassment will be handled in a discreet and confidential manner.
Harassment in any form is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. I encourage employees to be aware of the legal requirements regarding harassment issues, i.e., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Guidelines at 29 CFR § 1604.11, and Executive Order 14087. Please contact your local Civil Rights Office for guidance and clarification of these laws.

/s/ Thomas L. Tidwell

THOMAS L. TIDWELL

Chief

Pine Knot CCC

rwb59b — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:09:15 CDT

Steward Michelle Marnhout
mmarnhout@fs.fed.us

Steward Kenneth Barclay
kebarclay@fs.fed.us
P.O. Box 1990
Pine Knot, KY 42635
Tele: 606-354-2176

Frenchburg CCC

rwb59b — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 12:14:14 CDT

Jennifer McKenzie, Steward
Local 1855
6969 Tarr Ridge Rd.
Frenchburg, KY 40322
(606) 768-2111 ext. 138, 180
(606) 776-9457
jmckenzie@fs.fed.us

Dwain Benson, Steward
6969 Tarr Ridge Rd.
Frenchburg, Ky. 40322 606-768-2111-ext.115
fax: 606-768-3080
cell: 606-782-2997
debenson@fs.fed.us