BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT

LINKS OF INTEREST

National ICE News  Local President's Welcome Message  Local 1458 Officers/Stewards   Meeting Notices  National CIS News  Local 1458 CIS News  Member Information  Union-Agency Collective Bargaining Agreement  Research Links  AFGE Casetrack  Hot Jobs!  News/Media  Mapquest  Travel - Air, Car, Hotel  WISDOM  ACTIVISM FOR MEMBERS  ON-GOING  UNION HUMOR LINK 

NEWS OF INTEREST

Note:  Please remember that it is against federal law and/or agency regulations to use government resources (duty time, agency computers, agency property, etc.) to support or oppose legislation, to lobby congress, and/or to support any candidate or party in partisan elections.

Ongoing - The AFGE Legal Rights Attorney Program

AFGE attorneys and arbitration reimbursement are available to Locals and Councils!  For specific information, please go to: http://www.afge.org/Index.cfm?Page=Representation

Ongoing - LOCAL 1458 UNION MEMBERS - All Local 1458 Union Members are requested to immediately notify Local 1458 of their current mailing address, so  the Local can mail them important notices and future nomination/election notices.  Members must mail or fax a letter containing their current mailing address to:  Local 1458, c/o B. Rodriguez, 12630 NW 22 Court, Miami, FL 33167, or FAX their letter (under signature) to Local 1458 at (786)419-4877.  Thank you!

Ongoing National ICE News -   http://forums.delphiforums.com/ICEUNION/start

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Member/Delegate Nomination Meeting Notice for AFGE District 5 Caucus Posted 2/7/08

Important AFGE Week in Review News on Union Victories Re: HCOP/MaxHR, A-76 , FPS, etc. (Dec. 24, 2007)

Nov 8, 2007 - While Cynthia Kohlmier-Parker, Local 1458 Executive Vice President (ICE) and C119 ICE Council President, is engaged in all-day bargaining with ICE management on the new collective bargaining agreement, I have appointed Timothy Klees to be the Acting EVP ICE Atlanta and Tim Healy to be the Acting EVP ICE Miami during her temporary absences from Nov 5 - 16, Dec 3 - 14 and for future dates yet to be determined.   B. Rodriguez, Local 1458 President

Oct 20, 2007 - The new(er) ICE Local 1458 Stewards received two days of Stewards training in October.

July 2, 2007 - AFGE Expanded Local 1458 Representational Responsibilities.  AFGE expanded Local 1458's representational responsibilities, to include representing bargaining unit employees (ICE and CIS) previously represented by Locals 3123 and 2698.  Therefore, AFGE Local 1458 represents all ICE DRO bargaining unit employees within the Atlanta Field Office and Miami Field Office, all ICE OPLA non-attorney bargaining unit employees in Georgia and Florida, and all CIS bargaining unit employees within Districts 8, 9 and 10 (Georgia/Carolinas/Florida/Puerto Rico/USVI).  Welcome, all! 

May 10, 2007 -  AFGE ICE, Local President on "Inside Government"

Listen to Inside Government  download mp3

This Week on Inside Government - May 11th, 2007
Bryan Lowry
Phil Glover
Michael Knowles (CIS C119 President)
David Wright (ICE)

download mp3

April 16, 2007 - GovExec Articles of Interest

DHS urged to shift bonus money from execs to employees (DHS 04/16/07)

 

March 29, 2007 - Legacy INS FLSA Update  More >

March 28 2007 -  HOMELAND SECURITY UNION APPLAUDS VOTE REPEALING MAX-HR    More>

March 23, 2007 - DHS Personnel System (New DHS letters issued to AFGE and AFGE's responses)

• 6-27-06 Circuit Court Decision affirming injunction against labor
• 3-7-07 DHS NCR stating its intention to implement MAX HR performance regs
• 3-7-07 DHS NCR stating its intention to implement MAX HR adverse actions and appeals regs
• 3-16-07AFGE response objecting to DHS performance regs
• 3-16-07 AFGE response objecting to DHS adverse actions & appeals regs

03/09/07 AFGE Admonishes DHS For Decision to Implement Personnel System...

3/03/07 - New ICE Council and CIS Council officers elected 02/24/07. Cynthia Kohlmeier-Parker elected as ICE Council President. A new ICE Council website will be set up at:  www.iceunion.org

3/01/07 - ICE Council receives arbitration win on grievance involving ICE IEA's working in CBP BP stations, etc. (OT back pay and other remedies ordered.) 

1/31/07 NEW - Local 1458's own BLOG was set up for employees and members to share information and constructive comments. (Run by Bridgette Rodriguez, Local 1458 President)

1-31-07  Federal Diary  Homeland Security Employees Feeling the Blues.  The Federal Human Capital Survey 2006 results are in, and not by surprise to this AFGE Local President, DHS scored last or almost last in job satisfaction, leadership and workplace performance. What were the problem areas?  (Federal Diary) "...Those areas appear to include communicating with and getting feedback from employees and how the department rewards employees for their accomplishments, Schneider said. He called the survey results "a wake-up call for the leadership that we have to pay attention to these basic communication skills." And, now, what does DHS propose to do?  Communicate and partner with DHS employees' union?  Make their employees stakeholders by communicating with them more often at the workplace, getting their feedback and suggestions, and rewarding them?  Ah, no....... (Federal Diary) "Chertoff has asked an outside group of advisers to suggest a strategy for creating a stronger common culture at the department."  Need I say more?   Federal Human Capital Survey 2006: Results from the 2006 Federal Human Capital Survey 4MB Federal Human Capital Survey 2006: FHCS Report by Demographics - 4 parts Part 1 (1.7MB) Part 2 (1.8MB) Part 3 (1.8MB) Part 4 (1.9MB)   Federal Human Capital Survey 2006: FHCS Report by Agency - 5 parts Part 1 (1.6MB) Part 2 (1.3MB) Part 3 (1.3MB) Part 4 (1.3MB) Part 5 (1.5MB)   Federal Human Capital Survey 2006: FHCS Report on Demographic Questions by Agency (unweighted data)

1/26/07 - Ken Blodgett

It is with great sadness that I announce to all Florida ICE and CIS employees and management, that I was just advised a short while ago that ICE employee and Local 1458 Steward Ken Blodgett passed away early this morning. 

 

We extend our condolences to his wife, children and family, and to the ICE family.  

 

Ken Blodgett volunteered to be a Local 1458 Steward for ICE, and his efforts to represent his fellow employees (especially the IEA's in CBP BP sectors) certainly made a difference. 

 

His spirit will live on in all of us who were and are reminded daily of the way he lived.   We were uplifted by his concern and willingness to do the right thing by his ICE employees, his fellow IEA's and the agency he served, by his brave fight against Leukemia, and by his family values. He represented the best in ICE and in Local 1458.

 

The Local 1458 family would also like to extend our very sincere and heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Rozos, ICE FOD, and his Miami ICE Management staff for how they supported Ken during his time of need. That surely will not be forgotten by his wife, children, family or by our Local. 

Those who wish to offer their condolences and financial support, can write Ken's wife, Tammy, at  966 Princeton Dr, Clermont, FL  34711, or call Tammy at (352)255-2933.

1/5/07 - Local 1458 President Rodriguez resolves potential grievance matter involving double holiday within one PP and management's misinformation to Miami ICE DRO employees on a 5-4/9 COMPRESSED schedule that they can only get 8 hours of holiday pay for each holiday - which is incorrect for those on COMPRESSED schedules. Employees on a compressed schedule get paid for whatever work hours they normally would have been scheduled for on that holiday (e.g.: 9 hours).

12/24/06 - ICE DRO News (Local 1458, from ICE Exec. VP)

It appears there will be an extension on the ICE DRO 7880 Biscayne lease for at least another 12 months; repairs to the new Krome facility may not be completed before April, 2007.

 

IEA Ken Blodgett is in the hospital, and he and his wife would appreciate your contact and show of concern. Letters can be sent to 13525 Park Lake Drive, #102, Tampa, FL  33618.  He is in H. Leee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, Room 329.  He can receive cards, but no flowers, it's a sterile area. 

 

Stewards training to be conducted in January, once dates are finalized with the Tampa stewards.

 

DO position for Miami will be announced soon.

12/8/06 Interview of AFGE's ICE Council   http://www.federalnewsradio.com/index.php?nid=299
 

12/6/06 - OPM Regulatory Review Schedule (Revision of important regulations relating to federal employment (Dec 2006 -June 2007)

Local 1458 December 2006 Newsletter  (New Councils, CIS and ICE National Arbitrations, CBP National Grievance, Help Your Union, Membership Benefits)

Special Call Meeting (11/20)

Key Federal Employee Advocates and the Mid Term Elections (Gov Exec 11/9/06) 

Statement by AFGE President John Gage on the Mid Term Elections 11-8-06
More >

New. Oct 25, 2006.  AFGE splits one national union Council into three - one for ICE, one for CIS, and one for CBP

*New* The Government Standard - October/November 2006 (Members Only) 10-3-06
More > 

9-30-06   NEW MEMBERSHIP CARDS

In November, AFGE membership cards will be reissued with the new expiration date of 12/31/09 and mailed to all members at their home address. Please make sure that AFGE has your correct address by clicking on "My Profile" in the Members Only section to view your address. If the address is not current, please make the appropriate changes directly on your profile and this will automatically update AFGE's data base.

9-26-06
Another AFGE Victory as DHS Drop Appeal (Re:MaxHR)       

Hear Our National Radio Ad 9-19-06
More >

Heard the Ad? Take Action 9-21-06
More >

Local 1458 August and September 2006 Newsletters

 

August 2006  Help a Brother!

 

 

Local 1458 is calling upon all DHS employees to help a fellow employee and officer -- ICE IEA and Local 1458 Steward, Kenneth Blodgett.  Ken needs and appreciates your support and leave donations. Ken has been diagnosed with a severe form of Leukemia and will be off work for at least a year.  It looks like Ken will be undergoing the needed bone marrow transplant next month, and after that will need up to one year to recover. 

 

Suffice to say Ken, his wife and his children could really use ALL our support, leave donations, and donations.  (Ken does not have disability insurance.)

 

You can find two different leave donation forms below -- one for ICE employees and one for employees outside ICE.  These VLTP forms must be completed in full, signed and you must attach a recent (preferably last) T&A or pay statement (showing your leave balances).  The leave recipient’s block should be completed as follows: Kenneth Blodgett, DHS.ICE, 7880 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33138.

(On the Internet, these forms can be found at:  http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/opm.asp )

 

OPM 630A	Request to Donate Annual Leave to Leave Recipient Under the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program (Within Agency)]		[26 KB]
OPM 630B	Request to Donate Annual Leave to Leave Recipient Under the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program (Outside Agency)		[26KB]

 

 

You can fax your completed, signed VLTP form and copy of your latest pay statement or T&A to:

 

(a)   ICE Employees:  ICE Laguna Niguel Benefits & Retention, Fax: (949)425 – 4919, Attn:  Nina Condol

 

(b)   CIS and CBP Employees:  CIS/CBP SBP, Attn: Tamara Gabel, Fax: (802) 660-1148.

 

Also, you can give donations to Ken at:

 

(a)   Ken Blodgett, 966 Princeton Drive, Clermont, Florida 34711

(b)   Greater Clermont Cancer Foundation, Donation for Kenneth Blodgett fund, PO Box 2222, Minneola, FL 34755. (Place Ken’s name on your letter and your check/money order.)

 

DHS employees, law enforcement officers and the law enforcement community have always prided themselves on being “one”.  It is now time to walk-the-walk. Thanks!

 

        8/10/2006 - John Gage Wins Second Term as President of Nation's Largest Federal and DC Government Workers Union

8-9-06  AFGE Local Participates in National Veterans Wheelchair Games 8-9-06
More >

8-8-06
AFGE Reacts to Resignation of ...

	The EEO Advocate Volume 2, Number 2 Back Issues
	The Equalizer Volume 5, Number 4 Back Issues
	The Rep Wing Volume 3, Number 1 Back Issues

Special Edition Local 1458 "In the Know" Newsletter (Aug 5) Night Differential and Temporary Duty Station/Detail/Travel Regs

STATUS OF ICE AWS/AUO GRIEVANCES (7/31/06): Back in mid-2004, two Local 1458 grievances were raised by President Bridgette Rodriguez, covering ICE DRO in Florida.  After the agency failed to provide the requested information, our Local filed a ULP charge, which resulted in a Complaint being issued in early 2005.  Meanwhile, surveys were mailed to all unit IEA's/DO's and based upon their responses, necessary documents were obtained covering 2003 and 2004.  The grievances were turned over to then Local VP at Large (and now Local 1458  Executive VP) Cynthia Kohlmeier-Parker, to handle.  I understand she is attempting to come up with "harm" figures for each person who responded to our survey, based on the information provided, and is speaking with the agency on the matter. If not settled soon, then she will proceed to set a date for arbitration.

Local 1458 "In the Know (CIS/ICE)" July Newsletter  (Note: Click on blue link and then "SAVE" Word file and open up, after saving

Local 1458 "In the Know (CIS)" June Newsletter  (Note: Click on blue link and then "SAVE" Word file and open up, after saving.)

Council Fair Practices Newsletters (7/31/06): 

Council FP Coordinator's December 2005 Newsletter (Fitness for Duty Exams and Preponderance of the Evidence; Can a Progress Review or PIP Be Discriminatory?)Council FP Coordinator's January 2006 Newsletter (Sick Leave and You)

Council FP Coordinator's February 2006 Newsletter (Statutory EEO Complaint vs. Grievance)

Council FP Coordinator's March 2006 Newsletter (Prohibited Personnel Practices)

Council FP Coordinator's April 2006 Newsletter (EEO Complaint: Pre-Complaint Counseling and Investigation of a Formal Complaint)

Council FP Coordinator's May 2006 Newsletter  (Non-Competitive Hiring Authorities; Veterans - Type of Appointments in the Civil Service; MSPB Rules Veterans' Preference Trumps Outstanding Scholar Program - OPM Files Petition; Outstanding Scholar and Bilingual/Bicultural Program (Luevano Consent Decree))

Council FP Coordinator's June 2006 Newsletter  (Reasonable Accommodation and Executive Order 13164)

July 26, 2006

• Questions And Answers about the Appointment Of Persons With Disabilities And Career And Career-Conditional Employment Regulation [more...]
• Federal Register: Excepted Service--Appointment of Persons With Disabilities and Career and Career-Conditional Employment [more...]
• News Release: OPM Issues Final Regulation on the Appointment of Persons with Disabilities [more...]

From www.afge.org:

D.C. Circuit Overturns FLRA: Bargaining Over Increased Staffing Might Be Negotiable as an Appropriate Arrangement
Based on an earlier AFGE victory, the D.C. Circuit has once again affirmed AFGE’s position regarding what should be properly considered as an “appropriate arrangement.” [more] 7-27-2006

Comments on Proposed FLSA Regulations
AFGE comments on proposed OPM regulations that put overtime in jeopardy. [more] 7-25-2006

INS/FLSA News Update
The second supplemental decision was issued on July 24 concerning several unresolved matters. [more] 7-25-2006

AFGE Applauds Senate Committee Action to Give All Federal Workers 2.7 Percent Increase
AFGE applauds the Senate Transportation, Treasury and Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee for its approval of a 2.7 percent increase for all federal employees, regardless of their employer and their pay system. [more] 7-19-2006

AFGE Elects New Hisco Officers
The American Federation of Government Employees’ Hispanic Coalition (HISCO) members recently met in Las Vegas at AFGE’S multi-district training to elect members for chair, vice president and treasurer. [more] 7-19-2006

10th Circuit Court of Appeals Overturns FLRA Test on Granting Union Information Requests, AFGE Local 2263 v. FLRA
[more] 7-18-2006

AFGE to Appeal CBP Election Results (6/28)

July/August Government Standard is Available
[more] 6-29-2006

AFGE Staff Testifies on Capitol Hill AFGE Director of Public Policy Jacque Simon testified on pay for performance before the Senate Voinovich Subcommittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (Testimony) AFGE Assistant General Counsel Joe Goldberg testified about whistle blower protection Thursday, June 29 before the House Committee on Government Reform at a hearing on the Ceballos decision. (Testimony) Related News Coverage Unions Oppose Senate's Pay-for-Performance Bill Senators push middle-ground personnel reforms

AFGE, Other Unions Win Court Appeal on DHS Labor Regulations AFGE Wins Again in Legal Battle Over DHS Regulations Court of Appeals Adds to Prior Victory; Union Looks For Victory in Similar NSPS Case [more] 6-27-2006   AFGE to Launch Radio Show June 30   AFGE has a New Radio Show Hear Talk Show Host GCO Assistant General Counsel Ward Morrow talk about AFGE's new show on "Fed Talk" on Federal News Radio

Good News! Action!

As a follow-up to the below, I received a personal phone call from AFGE National President John Gage. Thereafter, the Local has (and other Locals have)  received updates, copies of new notices/filings, etc., from our Council 117.

At the end of the AFGE CBP Election DVD, one employees says that the AFGE "identifies problems and resolves them...its just a remarkable thing".

How true.

So I say "Thanks" to the AFGE leadership team for helping to resolve one of mine!

Bridgette Rodriguez

5-26-06

Help, AFGE!  This is Affecting Local and Bargaining Unit Representation Within CBP, CIS and ICE!

As a bargaining unit employee, AFGE union member, AFGE Local 1458 President and AFGE National Homeland Security Council 117 officer, I have very recently filed formal letters with the AFGE and its national NHS Council 117 regarding  the Council's pattern of not advising all of its Locals via email/notice as to formal agency letters/bargaining notices it has received, its Demands to Bargain, national grievances/unfair labor practice charges and the like.

In case you do not know, AFGE holds the FLRA's "exclusive representative" certificate for legacy INS employees within DHS, but it has chosen to "delegate" that national authority to its national Council (NINSC, now known as the NHSC 117).  Both as a current Council officer and Local President, I have expressed my dismay at the conduct of some on the Council -- conduct relating to their failure to insure that all formal agency national 9A notices, national Council demands to bargains and the like are (a) timely sent to the NHSC Locals via email, and (b)  timely placed in the Council's database for viewing by all officers.  (This despite my formal, passed motions that require such.)

To say that this can and does adversely affect our Locals and their representation of their bargaining unit, goes without say.

I will keep you aware of whether this conduct changes for the better.

Bridgette Rodriguez

5-23-06

AFGE President Talks Homeland Security With House Subcommittee

Homeland Security Union President Testifies on DHS
On May 18, AFGE National President John Gage testified before the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Management, Integration and Oversight about issues and procedures at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). [more] 5-18-2006

National CBP, CIS and ICE union information (click here)

Local 1458 Certificate of Recognition - AFGE Legislative Action Fund

DHS Personnel Officer Resigns as Department Tackles Crucial Workplace Issues 5/30 

Local 1458 VP at Large, Cynthia Kohlmeier-Parker, is appointed to Local 1458 Executive Vice President (ICE Enf.), effective May 15, 2006.  Congratulations, Cynthia!

National CBP, CIS and ICE union information (click here)

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American Federation of Government Employees 

 

May 2006 

 

In recognition of Public Service Recognition Week, AFGE Local 1458 hereby honors our Florida and Bahamas CBP, CIS and ICE employees for their hard work and public service.

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Marcelino Bowen

Prior Local 1458 Steward and DAO

April 2006

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From NHSC Website:

• Council Fair Practices Coordinator's Portal: http://elect.8m.com/CouncilEEO.html

• Council Fair Practices Newsletters: http://elect.8m.com/CFPCnewsletter.html

• April 2006 Newsletter (Apr 18)  click

• NP Gage letter re: Councils (Apr 7) click

• ICE Hardship Transfer News (Apr 13) click

• CBP 9A notice re proposed Firearms removal procedure (Apr 19) click here

• CIS EAP Memo of Understanding click

Homeland Security Union Puts CBP Officer Back to Work A Customs and Border Protection officer is back on the job thanks to the efforts of AFGE, which recently won an arbitration involving the officer's removal from his position. [more] 4-20-2006

March/April Government Standard is Available Includes articles on the upcoming Customs and Border Protection election for union representation, the 2006 Legislative and Mobilization Conference, DEFCON's 'no confidence' vote in Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, and a Headquarters Spotlight on the Education and Leadership Development Department. [more] 4-10-2006

Unions Present Oral Arguments Against DHS Personnel System For a group of unions, including AFGE, oral arguments began today against the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) personnel system before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. AFGE is the largest union in DHS. [more] 4-6-2006

AFGE Responds to Administration's Suggestion to Drop Labor Relations Provisions of Personnel Reform American Federation of Government Employees National President John Gage issues a statement in response to suggestions that the administration may be willing to shed the labor relations portion of its personnel regulations. [more] 3-30-2006

 

Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Congressman Al Wynn (D-MD) Address AFGE 2006 Legislative and Grassroots Mobilization Conference
Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) AND Congressman Al Wynn (D-MD) speak at the AFGE 2006 Legislative Conference. [more] 3-7-2006

Hundreds Attend AFGE Annual Legislative Conference
AFGE National General Officers Address Hundreds at Annual Legislative and Grassroots Mobilization Conference [more] 3-6-2006

Knight-Ridder Story on Ports Features interview with AFGE Homeland Security Council President Charles Showalter Charles Showalter comments on the disconnect between port workers and their bosses [more] 3-2-2006

AFGE Rep Wing, January 2006 edition 2-14-06

January/February Government Standard is Available
Our efforts to become Homeland Security workers' sole union, activism, and Legislative Department spotlight. [more] 2-14-2006

Black History Month Message from Andrea Brooks
Andrea Brooks, AFGE National Vice President for Women’s and Fair Practices sends a special Black History Month message [more] 2-13-2006

Oral Arguments for Department of Homeland Security Personnel Regulations Case to Be Heard April 6
AFGE continues to lead fight against MaxHR [more] 2-12-2006

Report from Local 1458 VP at Large, Cynthia Kohlmeier-Parker, who is also an appointed VP at Large for the national union Council 117 (2/4/06):

Local 1458 negotiations finalized on Miami District DRO move to Krome as it relates to selection of volunteers.

 

Local 1458 negotiations finalized on BP IEAs rotating back into ICE DRO; National Council grievance in progress related to permanent transfer of all BP IEAs to ICE DRO nationwide.

 

Local 1458 post implementation bargaining (one year re-negotiations) finalized; Lee Rigsby preparing permanent mandatory detail wheel to be posted in all duty stations.

 

Local 1458 grievance/arbitration invoked on Agency's violation of past practice and policy regarding failure to pay AUO and/or AUO excludable to national local employee who is national council officer..

 

As Local rep, assisting terminated (IEA) employee in preparation for appearance before the MSPB and working with AFGE to obtain a back-pay attorney.

 

Filed Local 1458 Step A Grievance against the Agency for mandating employees to sign memorandums stating they have received training in areas they have not, and forcing non-uniformed employees to wear uniforms during firearms activities without providing a uniform allowance.

 

Filed Step II for unsafe working conditions for employee working in flood damaged building (mold and cleaning solvents exposure.)

 

Filed Step II for unjustified written counseling imposed on employee; and failure to use progressive discipline when warranted.

 

National Council informal negotiations continuing on the ICE Table of Penalties.

 

National Council informal negotiations continuing on the transfer of all Border Patrol IEAs to ICE DRO, extension granted to Agency through 02/24/06; ICE and CBP management met this past week at HQ attempting resolution; CBP is fighting to keep the IEAs despite the fact that they are assigned to and paid by ICE funds.

 

National Council arbitration has been invoked over the Foreign Language Proficiency Pay for ICE DRO employees; ICE Investigations receive the pay.  Other actions may be forthcoming against the Agency for failure to bargain.

 

Council is awaiting issuance of 9A in regards to the ICE Uniform policy; informal negotiations have taken place and comments from the field forwarded to HQ for consideration/inclusion.

 

Council Demand to Bargain and Information Request was sent to the Agency regarding 9A implementation of ICE Disciplinary Review Board.

 

Council Demand to Bargain and Information Request was sent to the Agency regarding 9A implementation of ICE Hardship Transfer Review Panel.

 

Council National Grievance under construction for Health and Safety and DRO Policy violations involving infectious disease exposure to ICE employees (info request sent to Locals).

 

Council National Grievance under construction for Agency violations related to mandatory Firearms Training, Use of Force Training, and Non-Deadly Force Training to include failure to provide employees with copies of the policy (info request sent to Locals).

 

Council National Grievance under construction for Agency violations related to nationwide implementation of the IRP/CAP transition from Investigations to DRO without 9A notice (info request sent to Locals).

 

As Council officer, assisting San Francisco DRO with proposed termination case (firearm, use of force) and 9A bargaining; assisting FPS with Florida proposed termination cases (2); assisting Oakdale DRO with bargaining issues related to mandatory overtime (escorts); assisting McAllen DRO with proposed termination case (gambling on-duty); assisting Houston DRO with Agency violations in contracting out escorts and AUO violations; assisting New Orleans DRO with hardship transfers (due to lack of living conditions in that area); assisting Dallas DRO with proposed termination, and 9A bargaining.

AFGE Expands Win of Multi-Million Dollar Decision with Additional Money to Compensate DHS Employees for Unpaid Overtime "Suffer or Permit" claims finalized by the arbitrator. [more] 1-11-2006 ICE Workers Win Overtime Ruling DHS employees win over $20 million in upaid overtime. - CQ Homeland Security [more] 1-11-2006

Local 1458 Proposed 2006 Annual Budget Mailed Out  -- A proposed Local 1458 2006 Annual Budget notice was very recently mailed out to Local 1458 members in good standing at their last known "good" mailing address.  If you have not received such, please immediately contact Local1458 (email) or by phone ((786)419-4876) and you will be mailed or faxed another notice. The deadline for you to mail back (postmark) your mail-in vote on the proposed budget is Dec. 15, 2005.  The votes will be opened and tallied on Dec. 22 at 12 noon at the union office at 7880 Biscayne Blvd, 1st floor union office, Miami, FL 33138. (Nov 27, 2005)

Pictures of AFGE Attorney Andy Grajales, Local 1458 President Bridgette Rodriguez, Local 1458 VP at Large Cynthia Kohlmeier-Parker and DHS employee Juan Moreno working together to prepare for an arbitration case in October 2005.

Pictures of retirement awards and Thank You awards.

ICE EMPLOYEES - TAKE OUR SURVEY!

ATTENTION: ICE BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES.   TAKE OUR SURVEY TO EXPRESS YOUR OPINION ON THE POSSIBILITY OF ICE MERGING WITH CBP.  LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK, WHY AND WHETHER OUR UNION SHOULD SUPPORT SUCH A MERGER. (11/18/05)

 

Department of Homeland Security

Homeland Security Union Cross-Appeals DHS Plea
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and other unions today filed a cross-appeal in response to a Department of Homeland Security appeal regarding a federal court decision to block implementation its proposed personnel regulations, known as MaxHR. Among its more than half a million members, AFGE represents DHS workers across the board, from Customs and Border Protection to FEMA to TSA. [more] 11-14-2005

New Bylaws Adopted at Special Call Meeting of Oct. 22, 2005 

Special Call Membership Meeting for Oct 22nd (On-going)  (NOTE: As always, members may request and mail in absentee ballots, as long as it is received by Friday, Oct 21.  Also, the meeting is a "ON" for Saturday, Oct 22 at 11:00 am, unless Hurricane Warnings are issued for Miami-Dade County for Saturday morning.)

• Judge Rules in Favor of AFGE and Other Unions in Lawsuit to Stop DHS Regulations (10/7)

• Sept 2005 Newsletter       

• Bonus Bucks 2005  AFGE Members, watch your mailboxes for everything you will need to make our union grow and to earn money for holiday gifts. [more] 9-26-2005

AFGE National President John Gage's Visit!

America Federation of Government Employees

AFGE Local 1458

“All that serves labor serves the nation. All that harms is treason…If a man tells you he loves America, yet hates labor, he is a liar…There is no America without labor, and to fleece one is to rob the other.”  Abraham Lincoln 

AFGE NATIONAL PRESIDENT VISIT, OCT. 12^th  - 14^th 

Local 1458 President Bridgette Rodriguez has invited AFGE National President John Gage to visit our Local, tour some ports/offices, and have lunch and dinner with our employees.  Mr. Gage is taking the time out of his busy schedule to visit from Oct. 12 – 14, as follows: 

·                    President Gage, Council and Local officials will visit and tour PEV and FLL and remain in employee lunch/break rooms for a meet-and-greet, to answer questions, and the like, on Wed., Oct 12, from 9AM – 2PM.

·                    President Gage, Council and Local officials will visit and tour the Miami Seaport and remain in employee lunch/break rooms for a meet-and-greet, to answer employee questions and the like, on Thursday, Oct. 13, from 8AM – 12:30 PM.  Time and permission permitting, President Gage, Council and Local officials will also try to visit Miami Asylum and Miami Citizenship the early afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 13.  

·                   President Gage, Council and other officials will visit MIAP and remain in employee lunch/break rooms on Friday, Oct. 14, from 8AM – 10AM.  Then, they will tour MIAP from 10AM - 12:00 noon and have an “open” lunch and dinner from 12:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.  (See below.) 

·                  All DHS employees are invited to a free “open” lunch or dinner with Mr. Gage and other union officers at the Miami Int’l Airport Hotel, Business Room  E/F, located inside the airport, 7^th fl., Concourse E. 

Lunch, Friday, Oct. 14 at 12:30 p.m. and after (finger foods). 

Dinner, Friday, Oct.14, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  (Italian buffet.)  

Bring your parking stub, and we will pay you for parking at MIAP. 

See you soon! 

Bridgette Rodriguez, President; Antonio (Tony) Lozada, Acting First Executive VP; Cynthia Kohlmeier-Parker, Acting First VP

  The Council FPC's Fair Practices E-News has been updated.

    AFGE Newsletter July/August 2005
                    Volume LXXII, Number IV PDF (1642 Kb)

  AFGE Files Amicus Brief on behalf of Federal Employees
AFGE's General Council Office teamed up with Covington & Burling, DC's most prestigious firm, to file an amicus brief with the Supreme Court on a crucial issue for federal employees: Their right to go to court and not have to file a grievance on statutory violations like Fair Labor Standards Act cases, Privacy Act violations, etc. Susan L. Wilson, the Covington partner who worked with us on the brief was the former Claims Court Judge who ruled in our favor at the Claims Court and was upheld by the Federal Circuit. In Whitman the 9th Circuit ruled that even constitutional claims could not be brought to court by fed'l employees. Therefore, the Supreme Court agreed to resolve the conflict. [more] 9-22-2005

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.   

1 Corinthians 13:1

Hurricane Katrina donation links:

AFGE FEEA Fund

Red Cross

Salvation Army - USA webpage

9/9  AFGE To Oppose DHS Motion To Limit Scope Of Judge's Order

  Dan McKinney, Our Hero

  Interested in Becoming a Local 1458 Union Steward?  Contact Local1458@aol.com 

FLSA Update report of teleconference today (aug. 26)

AFGE Remains Steadfast in Opposition to DHS Personnel System, Despite DHS Response
As CPB employees know, AFGE joined four other unions in winning a huge legal victory to stop the Department of Homeland Security from implementing personnel regulations that would have limited your rights. [more] 8-29-2005

• Homeland Security Stands by Proposed Rules (washingtonpost.com)
• DHS Motion to Appeal Judge Collyer's Ruling PDF (127 Kb)

INFORMATION FROM http://www.afge.org/

AFGE Wins Back DHS Employee’s Job after Wrongful Termination
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) recently helped an employee of the Department of Homeland Security win her job back after the agency fired her claiming she was medically incapable of completing job training. [full release] 8-26-2005

AFGE Saves Hundreds of DHS Worker Jobs
AFGE has saved the jobs of tens of thousands of federal employees in agencies ranging from the Department of Defense to the Department of Veterans Affairs to the Department of Agriculture. [more] 8-26-2005

  AFGE, Other Unions Score Major Victory as Judge Rules to Block DHS Personnel System
(Washington)-In a major victory for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees across the nation, DHS has been ordered to cease implementation of its personnel system. In January, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and four other unions filed suit challenging the proposed system on the basis that it violated the Bill of Rights, among other issues. In June, the unions filed a motion to stop the implementation of the rules and on July 15, Judge Rosemary M. Collyer suggested to DHS that it withhold implementation until Aug. 15. [full release] 8-14-2005

• Judge's Decision
• Judge's Order
• AFGE to Hold Press Conference on Next Steps Following DHS Personnel System Ruling
• AFGE Press Release
• UPI Article: Unions win on DHS labor rules, DoD next
• United Dod Workers Coalition responds to DHS ruling

   AFGE Injunction Request Results in DHS Delay in Implementation of Controversial Work Rules
At the suggestion of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today notified the court that it would withhold implementation of major portions of its proposed new personnel regulations, known as "MaxHR," until Aug. 15, 2005. [more] 7-15-2005

   Interested in Becoming a Local 1458 Union Steward?  Contact Local1458@aol.com

  Local 1458 Newsletter - JULY 2005  (Sign up here to receive our Newsletter at your e-mail address)

  June 27 2005   Important!  AFGE Council Local Members!  If you haven't received information and/or a newsletter at your personal mailing address from AFGE within the last 3 months, then your current personal mailing address is NOT known, and you are missing out on very valuable updates.  DHS members cannot afford this, given our challenging times.  Please go to our New Address page, and input your current information into our database for transmission to your Local and to the AFGE.    If you have any questions, please contact Peggy Hunter , Staff Assistant.  Tel: (302) 395-9124  - FAX  (302) 395-9102

  June 27, 2005 -- Legacy INS FLSA Grievance Backpay Payout - Left the agency or retired and didn't receive your backpay check yet?  Contact: DHS, Wayne Coleman at (202) 344-2603

June 22, 2005 - DHS employees and AFGE Local union members, check out  "Locals United!":  http://www.localsunited.com

June 19, 2005 - All IEA's stationed at Border Patrol stations ARE within the National Homeland Security Council's and Locals jurisdiction and bargaining unit -- NOT the BP Council's.

Local 1458 honors those who so bravely served our country this Memorial Day.

And, to those who currently serve or have served, we say a special, "Thank you".

Memorial Day and Unionism

FYI.  Mike Knowles/DHS/privatization fight is mentioned on Page 3 of the current Capital Report (May/June).  There are also some other interesting articles.

The Capital Report   Volume 1, Number 1  Download: Choose File Format Adobe PDF   1900K   (Approx. 9 minutes over a 56k modem) Back Issues

 

May 9, 2005 - Local 1458 Step A grievance filed on certain ICE DO overtime cap matters and change of tour/days off after administrative workweek begins.

4/27/05- Great news regarding FLSA payment!!! 

On April 27, 2005, a teleconference call was held with the Agency, the Arbitrator and the Union. The Agency updated us on their efforts to meet the June 15, 2005 deadline to pay backpay for “straight” overtime claims. The Agency indicated that they had spoken with the National Finance Center (NFC), and was told that the NFC believes they are on schedule to make that deadline! AFGE Attorney Joe Goldberg said he also spoke with the NFC and was told the same thing. 

While this is excellent news, the fact that the NFC says they are “on schedule” does not mean that the checks are cut. To put it bluntly, don’t spend the money until you receive the check and it clears! 

As for Suffer or Permit (SOP) claims, the Arbitrator is going to spend the next couple of month making individual decisions on those claims where the Agency has disputed the claims. There are some 400 plus claims to be adjudicated by the Arbitrator, so it may be several months before those claims are paid. There is no timetable for payment on SOP claims that the Agency has “accepted for adjudication.” 

If you know claimants that have retired, quit, or have otherwise left government service, please contact them and let them know to contact the Agency to update their current address. Also, estates or family members of deceased claimants should do the same. The Agency’s mailing address is:  

            U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

            ATTN: INS-NINSC FLSA Case

            Office of Human Resources

            Office of Employee and Labor Relations

            800 K Street NW Rm 5000

            Washington, DC 20536

Questions about the case can be directed to me at randy_callahan@yahoo.com, but please look at the AFGE website (www.afge.org) to see if the answer to your question is already addressed. The December 3, 2004 update lists specific criteria to determine if you are or should be a member of the class, which has been my most common question. 

Fraternally,

Randy A. Callahan, Executive Vice President, AFGE Council 11

November/December 2004 -

Local 1458 Members and Bargaining Unit Employees --

Due to the great expansion of duty stations for legacy INS employees within Florida and the Bahamas, and not having Stewards at every duty station and/or on every shift, I have determined that to best serve and represent our employees and union members, we need to come up with alternative means to do so.

Therefore, among new initiates we will be rolling out will be:

(1) (NOW) Customer service telephone lines

(2) (IN 2005) Legal defense fund, including more use of union and/or outside attorneys

While we still have Stewards, these initiates will provide better opportunities for representation.
(Also, if you are interested in stepping up to the plate and becoming a Steward or otherwise assisting, please call the Special Local 1458 Customer Service Line for Local 1458 Union Members, Complaints and Emergencies, found below.)

GENERAL LOCAL 1458 CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE/FAX/E-MAIL FOR ALL BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES:

305-762-3516 (Union Office General Phone)                                786-419-4877 (Private FAX)

Local1458@aol.com (Private E-mail)

SPECIAL LOCAL 1458 CUSTOMER SERVICE “COMPLAINT”/”EMERGENCY” LINE/ FAX/E-MAIL; SPECIAL LOCAL 1458 CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE FOR LOCAL 1458 UNION MEMBERS OR THOSE WILLING TO BECOME A MEMBER (FOR REQUESTS FOR REPRESENTATION NOT PROVIDED TO NON-MEMBERS, TO WIT: REPRESENTATION IN PROPOSALS FOR DISCIPLINARY/ADVERSE ACTIONS, BEFORE MSPB, IN EEO COMPLAINTS, FOR WORKMAN'S COMP INJURIES AND/OR FITNESS FOR DUTY EXAMS..)

786-419-4876 (Phone)                                                       786-419-4877 (Private FAX)

Local1458@aol.com (Private E-mail)

In Unity --

Bridgette Rodriguez
President
Local 1458

Check out the NINSC union website

Don't know who your union Stewards are?  Need Local union customer service or wish to speak with the Local President?  (Click here to contact her. )

6th DAY OF TRAINING BACKPAY:  (A special thanks to Chuck Showalter and Mary Lynch of the Council for having "pushed" this matter within the department and with the Press, to finally get this result):    

VERY INTERESTING LABOR BLOG, ATTORNEY WEBSITE:   http://fedemplaw.blogcollective.com/blog 

Congratulations to Local 1458's Antonio Lozada for his excellent representation of members in proposals for adverse or disciplinary action, and getting all mitigated down or stopped.  Also, Antonio was left as Acting President of Local 1458 from June - October 2004, and was thanked the Local EB and attending members with the presentation of an eagle award at a recent Local union meeting.

Oct 2004 - Move of DRO to CBP?

108th Congress, 2nd Session, HR 5130 (The Secure Borders Act)

FYI, Section 311 of this bill enhances daily bed space to 22,500 and
provides 541 additional positions for DRO.

However, subsection (c) of 311 states that DRO would be moved under the control of CBP.

..."(c) Sense of Congress-It is the sense of the Congress that the Office of
Detention and Removal Operation should be placed under the operational
control of the Commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, since the
largest client of such office is the Border Patrol. The Secretary of Homeland
Security is directed to move the Office of Detention and Removal Operations from U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement to U.S. Customs and Border Protection."
 

Sept 2004 - Local 1458 recently invoked arbitration on two grievances re: Krome AWS/AUO and other FL ICE AUO/45 Act violations. The Local also filed ULP charges on agency non-response to Information Requests within each Step B grievance.  We will not proceed to arbitration until underlying Info Request ULP matters are dealt with.

Full story: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0804/082004c2.htm  (Chuck Showalter is quoted herein.)

August 20, 2004 - DHS/OPM/UNION MEDIATION DISAPPOINTMENT;  MEMO FROM GAGE/KELLY 

Dear DHS Union Members:

• will lose due process and other fairness protections when disciplined;

• will get a system that permits management to divert appropriated funds for future salary

increases to favored management projects and drop DHS salaries below GS levels;

• will have their unions’ rights to bargain greatly and unjustifiably diminished;

• will see millions spent annually to create internal DHS labor and employee relations

appeal boards that duplicate and replace the impartial third-party boards that exist today;

• will see managers avoid any accountability for performance award decisions;

• will see vast system changes made without any prior simulations to test what actually will

result from the change nor any objective criteria to judge their success or hold managers

accountable; and

• will see all compensation decisions taken out of the hands of Congress and put into a

management-dominated committee.

August 18, 2004 -From Santos Valenzuela, National Homeland Security Council 117 (Previously NINSC) VP-at-Large on IEA Training:

All - 

I had received a complaint from ICE IEA's concerning the training rotation to FLETC. The concern was that "new" IEA's that  were being sent to the IEA academy ahead of those who had been IEA's or were prior DEO's who were then upgraded.  I spoke to Sergio Guzman who is in charge of the training at FLETC, and he related that where there are disparities (new person as opposed to more senior officers) he would do what he can to fix it.  He suggested that anyone in your areas who is being overlooked and another is going ahead that individual should send him an E-mail indicating what his DEO (IEA) EOD is so that this person can be properly slotted for training. Their E-mail should also be CC to their supervisors so that everyone knows that a more senior DEO (IEA) is being leapfrogged by a less senior IEA.   Please pass this along to your DEOs who have not gone to the IEA academy yet.

August 2004 -  ICE D&R Matters:

The Local recently proceeded to the Step B union grievance level (2 grievances, in total)  on certain changes made by Local management eliminating AWS at Krome, mandating AUO at Krome and at other offices when inappropriate, etc.

FYI, Local ICE D&R management served 9A bargaining notices on Local 1458 to establish a detail wheel and to establish  duty officer.  Contact your Local ICE steward and Acting Local 1458 President Antonio Lozada (MIAP) for more information.  

August 12, 2004 - AFGE has recently reaffirmed by letter to Mr. Santiago and Local 1917 that Local 1458 is the Local union and 'exclusive representative' for all legacy INS bargaining unit employees within Florida and the Bahamas, as has been the case for some 35 years now.

July 25, 2004 - Special Call Meeting for August 28, 2004 (link to our Meetings web page).

July 21, 2004 - DHS Proposed Regulations Flyers

• Judge, Jury and Prosecutor?
• Compensation Cannibalism

Homeland Security Proposed Personnel System
AFGE has produced a video outlining the proposed changes to the DHS Personnel System and how they will affect DHS employees. watch the video (6:25 Min Streaming Media)  7/21/04

NINSC Newsletter

July 15, 2004 - ICE 9A issued on management proposal to have one Detail wheel.  See your ICE D&R Steward for more information.  Also, Step A grievance filed on ICE D&R management unilateral changes for Florida ICE last week, and Local proceeding to Step B grievance level on previously filed Step A grievance on Krome AWS/AUO and other unilateral changes.  (Agency requested extension to answer Krome AWS/AUO grievance, but Local denied such and is filing Step B.)

Latest on DHS Proposed Regulations
AFGE and sister unions write Secretary Ridge. read the letter 7-9-2004

Quote of the Year, John Kerry to AFGE Employees, "I will restore every single right that has been taken from you over the last three years. All of America should honor and respect the work that you do for us..."

John Kerry Wins Endorsement of the American Federation of Government Employees
PITTSBURGH, PA--The nation's largest federal workers' union today announced its support of Senator John Kerry in this year's presidential election. At a meeting of members and leaders of the American Federation of Government Employees, AFGE National President John Gage today praised John Kerry as the best hope for working Americans in the upcoming presidential election. full News Release
AFGE Endorsement - Acceptance Remarks of Senator John F. Kerry.

Broadband (T1, T3, Cable, DSL) 11.5Mb Slower connections (Modem 56K) 2.73Mb Transcript (PDF) 84.3 Kb

INS FLSA Update 6/28/04 6-28-2004

June 28, 2004 - Another Step A union grievance was filed relating to management's unilateral actions in Bradenton, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando and S. Florida ICE D&R relating to AUO, OT, etc.

June 25, 2004 - AFGE Endorses Kerry

June 18, 2004 - Roybal-Allard Amendment Passes (House), 242-163!  Our Council salutes those Representatives who voted in favor of the Amendment!  (Click here to see how your Representative voted.)  However, there is more work to be done; so, please contact your Local union for information on how you can help.   (Representative Roybal-Allard's Amendment would prevent the Department of Homeland Security from privatizing, under the controversial OMB Circular A-76 process, the investigation and adjudication of applications for immigration rights and benefits, a public safety-related workload performed by 1,400 Immigration Information Officers, Contact Representatives, and Investigative Assistants in Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) offices of the DHS across the nation.)

June 16, 2004 - AFGE National Border Patrol Council President T.J. Bonner Talks to Lou Dobbs about Border Patrol Issues   AFGE NBPC President T.J. Bonner Talks to Lou Dobbs on CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight" abuot Border Patrol Issues. Bonner, along with AFGE National INS Council Local 1944 Secretary Sergio Ugazio testified at a hearing held by the Infrastructure and Border Security Subcommittee on June 15, 2004. See the video clip 6-16-2004

June 16, 2004 - Click here: washingtonpost.com: Congress Tackles Outsourcing Issues at Defense, IRS, Homeland Security

A special "Thank you" to the Honorable Kendrick Meek and his aide Ernesto Ramos for contacting our Local to advise that the Congressman  Meek will be voting for the Roybal-Allard amendment.  

June 16, 2004 - The Local will be filing a Step A grievance on management's failure to bargain with the Local, etc., and unilaterally removing AWS and forcing AUO at Krome, etc.  Step A will be mailed July 17, 2004. 

June 6, 2004 -  Local 1458 Members are #1 (and smart, to boot)!

Question -  Can one Local bargain with local agency management on the working conditions of another Local's bargaining unit employees?

Smart Local Member's Answer - No. Each AFGE Local is the exclusive representative of the bargaining unit employees within the Local's jurisdiction.

Question - Can one Local union file a union grievance for another Local's bargaining unit employees?

Smart Local Member's Answer - No, again, the Local is the exclusive representative for the bargaining unit employees under that Local's jurisdiction.

Question - Can one Local union invoke arbitration on another Local's grievance or employee grievance under another Local?

Smart Local Member's Answer - No, only the rightful Local may invoke arbitration.

June 4, 2004 - ICE:  Three 9A notices served on Local on May 24 by Mr. Rozos, DFO, ICE D&R, are being responded to.  Two Demands being mailed on Monday, June 7, 2004. 

May 30, 2004 - The National INS Council Convention election results:

Council President: Chuck Showalter

Exec. VP:   Randy Callahan

Secretary-Treasurer:  Frank Stanczak

Women's and Fair Practices Coordinator: Bridgette Rodriguez

Central Region VP: Robert Quesada

Eastern Region VP: James Bonnette Sr.

Western Region VP: H. Edward Bell

The National INS Council wishes to express its thanks to AFGE National President John Gage for his support of the Council and assistance in the elections.  Mr. Chuck Hobbie and Monroe Johnson from AFGE HQ were the superintendents of election and did a great job as usual.  

May 27, 2004 - From NINSC website

• FLETC 6 DAY WORK WEEK UPDATE MAY 27

• FLSA Update May 27

May 17, 2004 -  Unions Meet with DHS and OPM about Personnel System

The unions met with DHS and OPM officially last week to review the union’s comments. DHS was non-committal during the process. However, it was helpful to walk through the regulations and our comments in preparation for the statutory collaboration process. Council Presidents Brenda Neuerburg and T. J. Bonner were in attendance.

May 12, 2004 -

EEOC Changes Undermine Your Rights at Work GO »

Special Agent Local 7 info: A personal letter from John Gage has been sent to all SA's by this time.  If you failed to receive this letter and form 1187 by mail, it is probably because you have a bad address on file with your Local and the AFGE HQ.  Click for Gage Letter

National Union Offers Common Sense Suggestions on Electronic Voting
WASHINGTON, DC - The American Federation of Government Employees offered advice to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, which is expected to issue preliminary guidelines on electronic voting this week. read full release  

INS FLSA Update 5/3/04
Updates on payment, Website response and "Suffer or Permit" hearings 5-11-2004

May 10, 2004 - Local meeting with new DFO, Mike Rozas

As D&R employees are aware, Mr. Rozas entered on duty as the new DFO.  He invited our Local to meet with him on Friday, May 7.  Local President Bridgette Rodriguez, Treasurer Barbara Perry (district Dep. Officer) and Ron Libby (for Krome) had an extremely pleasant and open meeting with him.  (We will not be going into details here.)  It appears Mr. Rozas' vision is to have a professional corps of officers and employees, with espirit de corps, who work in law enforcement structures/units similar to other law enforcement operations.  He also asked the Local to assist him in exploring AWS for some of the local support staff.  (Ronald Libby will do so for Krome, and Barbara for the 7880/district.)  We will be contacting him again soon, and also asking whether AWS can be explored for other areas, such as Orlando. (Bradenton already has done so.)

May 3, 2004 - Local 1458 Good Works 2004   (pdf format)           FYI, United Way of America      

April 26, 2004 -  IT PAYS TO BE A LOCAL UNION MEMBER!

Benefits Available to Union Members

These Money-Saving Benefits are Available Only to AFGE Members

Legal Services Program

It's Confidential... 

Special Agents - Update

ICE BU Status Update
The following memo from ICE Chief Garcia is a clarification that emphasizes that the upgrade to GS-13 is unrelated to the bargaining unit question. It also changes the date for employees' dues being cut off from April 18th to May 30th. This means by May 30th employees have to submit a new Form 1187 dues allotment or their dues (and related insurance benefits) will be terminated. Afge will be contacting every ICE union and unit member with more details. memo. 4-21-2004

AFGE Provides Analysis Of Final Bush Overtime Rules, Finds Reasons For Concern
The Bush Administration on April 20 released its final rewrite of the federal overtime pay rules. These sweeping changes, which have been avidly sought by a wide coalition of 100 business groups, are intended to change overtime eligibility rules to take away the overtime pay of many American workers. While some time is needed to properly evaluate this 62-page revision, along with its 277-page preamble and 198-page regulatory analysis, a cursory analysis reveals... 4-21-2004

April 16, 2004

Update! AFGE Addresses Member Concerns Over ICE Reclassifications
Based on numerous comments received from ICE Criminal Investigators (Cis), it appears that some management officials within ICE/DHS are intentionally misinforming AFGE members about the possibility of reclassification to Grade 13 while maintaining their union membership. The Facts: The Homeland Security Act amended Section 842 of federal law to allows Criminal Investigators both an increase to Grade 13 and union continued membership...full story.

April 9, 2004 - ICE Special Agents/Criminal Investigators

AFGE National President John Gage Assails DHS for Eliminating ICE Criminal Investigators' Collective Bargaining Rights

On April 6, 2004, AFGE Council 117 President Brenda Neuerberg along with AFGE General Counsel Mark Roth and other National Office staff met with various ICE management officials allegedly to discuss an upgrade of Criminal Investigators positions to the GS 13 level, which we support. Without adequate notice,communicated via low level DHS management, and in total conflict with the promises of collaboration that have been made, AFGE was informed that effective immediately DHS considers the legacy INS Criminal Investigator's to be no longer eligible to be included in collective bargaining units. 4-9-2004

President Gage talks on Washington Post's Federal Diary Live
John Gage answered questions on Washington Post's live, interactive online forum on March 31. The topic was the new personnel system for DHS. Visit http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/04/auto_r_politics_barr033104.htm to read the interview. 4-1-2004

Pay parity votes
The House of Representatives adopted the resolution by a vote of 299 to 126 (See the votes). Ninety-five Republican Representatives and all Democrats in the House of Representatives voted in support of the resolution, which states that "it is the sense of the House of Representatives that... full story 3-31-2004

AFGE Launches INS FLSA Case Website
The General Counsel's Office in conjunction with the Communications department launched AFGE's INS FLSA Case Status Website on Friday March 26. The Status website will allow claimants to check their status in the class action suit. Due to revisions made by the Agency, all claimants are asked to visit the site and check their status. 3-26-2004

AFGE Calls On President Bush To Protect DHS Worker Rights

The Latest on the DHS Personnel System COMMENT PERIOD CLOSED MARCH 22, 2004 Here are the comments AFGE filed jointly with the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) and the National Association of Agriculture Employees (NAAE). You still have time to submit your own comments until midnight tonight EST (3/22/2004). Please see our pre-written comments below for ideas.   Document ID Title Date Type Phase Rendition DHS-2004-0001-0430 Comment entitled "Public Comment on Proposed Regulations submitted by American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)" submitted by Bridgette Rodriguez, President, Local 1458 03-06-2004 Public Comment Proposed Rule DHS-2004-0001-2227 Comment focusing on133 Employee Comments of The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) submitted by Bridgette Rodriguez, President 03-20-2004 Public Comment Proposed Rule DHS-2004-0001-3117 Comment entitled "Impediments to Employee Comments" submitted by Bridgette Rodriguez, President, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1458 03-22-2004 Public Comment Proposed Rule TO FIND EMPLOYEE AND UNION COMMENTS, CLICK HERE Last updated March 22, 2004

FEB 23, 2004 -  The Local 1458 President today submitted to the NINSC Secretary-Treasurer, and to the Acting President, proposed amendments to the NINSC Constitution which:  

(a) Require the NINSC to have elected offices that represent the bargaining unit employees for each DHS agency -- CBP, CIS and ICE, and, therefore, provide for a required voice and vote for each agency's bargaining unit (CBP, CIS and ICE) on the NINSC Executive Committee, and, 

(b) require the hiring of a Staff Attorney for the NINSC and Locals (must be a practicing attorney, member of the bar...) 

In addition, since the last NINSC Convention was in June 2002, she proposes the next one be in June 2004, and, pursuant to the Constitution, that a mail out ballot on her proposed amendments be sent to Local Presidents in the NINSC ASAP for a vote, so that if any amendments are approved, they can be applied to the upcoming Convention.   Stay tuned for more information, as it comes in. 

Feb 10, 2004 - Homeland Security personnel rules due out later this month

Feb 5, 2004 - Two ICE D&R Local Grievance Responses (in  .pdf format)(One win, one loss -- may invoke arbitration)  

Feb 5, 2004 - The Latest on the DHS Personnel System
We have heard that DHS plans to release its long-awaited proposed new personnel regulations on February 13, 2004. Secretary Ridge has invited President Gage to meet the day before for a briefing on the proposal. As many of you know, this is several months later than November 2003 when the Department originally planned to have its proposals ready. Why the delay? We are not sure - we understand that the Secretary of DHS and the Director of OPM reached an agreement on the new regulations late last year, but the regulations have been back and forth between the Office of Management and Budget and OPM ever since... 2-5-2004

Feb. 4, 2004    Bush Budget Proposal Could Block Efforts for Pay Parity (Post, Feb. 5, 2004)

Defense, Homeland Security Proceed With Pay and Personnel Reorganizations (Post, Feb. 4, 2004)

Jan. 30, 2004 - Want MORE?     (We're looking for volunteers to help the AFGE and Local Mobilize, Organize, Register Voters and Educate.  Click on this link in order to get volunteer form to fill out.  (in  .pdf   file format).  After completing the form, please deliver to or notify President Rodriguez ,  or fax to her at  1-775-655-5468. )

Jan. 28, 2004 -  From FedSmith.com   Bush v. Kerry--Who would receive your vote?

Jan. 28, 2004 - Latest  FLSA Case Update (old case)

 Jan. 28, 2004 - Budget changes coming to agencies  (See below, too...Huge federal deficit under President Bush the cause...) 

Jan. 22, 2004 -         
Orlando Sun Sentinel Article on Republican U.S Senate (FL) Candidates' (Martinez' and Klayman's) Negative Comments on Federal Employees  (Click link and register to get article) 

Jan 21. 2004 - ICE Krome 

(a)  While out of the union office on official business the last two days, Local President Rodriguez was just advised this afternoon of recent unfortunate events and another loss for Krome.  Local President Rodriguez sent a private e-mail to certain management officials calling for EAP Intervention at Krome, and offers its condolences to the family.

(b) Also, we wish Gloria Rodgers our best and a "Get Well" soon!

Jan. 21, 2004 - Local 1458 Filings, etc...

Jan. 21, 2004 -   Union Blasts Bush For Code Talk In His State Of The Union Message

Civil Rights Group Joins Unions in Fight Against Job Competitions   

Jan. 21, 2004 - Local 1458 Filing a Demand to Bargain on MIAP unilateral change of OT wheel and Sanford OT;  More Grievances filed; recent agency response to class employee 6-day-per-week training grievance was positive, recent MOU's...

Jan. 19, 2004 - Excerpts of Statement from AFGE National President and Women's Fair Practices Director (click here for full statement):

...All of us, brothers and sisters must be involved in the fight to protect the rights of union workers and the rights of working Americans.

Never before have those rights been so much in jeopardy. Misguided policies and legislative action threaten to erode the quality of inherently governmental services from Social Security to meat inspection. Our soldiers returning from Iraq are no longer guaranteed the right to quality health care service. The jobs of hundreds of our members and the future of the entire civil service are in jeopardy. Overtime pay is no longer guaranteed for millions of Americans. Employee health benefits could become a thing of the past. And right now an assault is being waged on the viability of the Equal Opportunity Commission, an organization whose function and very existence was born from the civil rights movement and paved the way to ending workplace discrimination. Yes, brothers and sisters the Bush Administration has taken aim at some of the very beliefs exerted by Reverend King.

We must continue the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and his followers. We must, brothers and sisters keep up the fight not just for ourselves but for our children and our children’s children. I’m asking you to do four things:

1. If you have not done so, register to vote and encourage your family and friends to do so.
2. Join the union of your choice. If you are a government employee join AFGE.
3. Support a political action committee
4. And meet me at the polls!!

That’s doing what we can to Dr. King’s Dream Alive!!

Jan. 17, 2004 - Local President's Message

                                 Statement From AFGE On The Bush Immigration Amnesty Plan

 Jan. 17, 2004 -  FEEA Scholarships - FEEA Scholarships 2004-05 Applications Available Through March 2004...  

                                  Government Online Learning (Training) Center

Jan. 16, 2004 - Democrats Criticize Homeland Security

Jan. 15, 2004 -  Drug tests for federal workers will include workers' hair, saliva and sweat.

OPM, Homeland Security to release proposed regulations soon...

Pay for performance...DHS and DOD...

'Plan B' will come handy amid new reshaping buyouts 

Jan. 9 , 2004 - Local 1458 Election Committee Web Page

Dec. 30, 2003 -  Recent visits/lunch and learn sessions result in 31 new members!  Thank you for helping Local 1458, the NINSC and the AFGE grow even stronger!

Dec. 30, 2003 -  Text of cc:Mail message from Local 1458 President to Krome Employees, Stewards, etc., on GSA letter and HQ DRO contact: 

Subject:    Call from DRO; letter to GSA;Some good news
Author: Bridgette E Rodriguez
Date:       12/30/2003 10:45 AM

Happy New Year!

While out of the office, yesterday, I received a telephone call from HQ's DRO.

The GSA (Mr. Harte) had recently contacted HQ DRO regarding our October Local 1458 letter to GSA  re: problems with rest periods while conducting foreign escorts at Krome since their training officer gave Federal Travel Regulation training this past summer; the fact that the GSA later (August) acknowledged that the training officer was, in part, incorrect, that the travels regs were meant for the casual traveler and that employees traveling on a TDY were entitled to rest periods as a matter of discretion by management (even when OCONUS for 14 hours or less); that despite GSA's statements that they would provide something in writing to correct this, they didn't; that the HQ's own Detention and Deportation Officer Field Manual (updated) now quoted the same FTR, which hurt even further, and, finally, our Local 1458 recommendations that the GSA contact the DHS HQ's, correct this problem, and even consider amending their travel regulations.  (FYI, a copy of our Oct 2003 letter to GSA was also hand-delivered to our national NINSC (then) union President and Secretary Treasurer (Randy Callahan, who is an IEA) at a D.C. meeting on Nov 8.)

Mr. Clark from HQ DRO acknowledged with GSA that the training given by GSA caused confusion on rest periods due to the FTR reference on OCONUS travel more than 14 hours, and that they have spoken to Miami management recently on this to state that the training, in part, was incorrect and that rest periods should be authorized.  Therefore, this matter will be corrected; however, since Miami is now one of the field offices to be placed on "centralized ticketing" (which is being rolled out field-office-by-field-office, nationwide), HQ's will be having a meeting in Miami in early January 2004 on this, and all escort officer travel, rest periods, etc. will be standardized since it will be done by one source ABOVE the local level.  (I asked if the Local union may attend this Miami meeting, and I was advised that I may by Mr. Clark; therefore, I will be
attending.)

Also, by way of note, some employees thought that the OSHA was to be notified on these types of 'rest period' problems.  Although as Local President I knew better and that it was a waste of time, to make some happy, I allowed Hector Bayron to go ahead and contact them.  He did (their D.C. office), and they stated they didn't handle this type of matter. Further, they suggested that he may want to contact the USDOL; however, that is also something I did several years back as a Steward, and it was also fruitless, as neither they nor (at the
time) the USDOJ enforced any mandatory rest periods as part of a working day.  (Sounds incredible, but its true...)

Unfortunately, Hector fell ill before the holidays and will not be involved in any work/union work for some time to come.  (Best wishes to Hector for a speedy recovery!)

Finally, there may be some confusion on who are our Local 1458 Stewards at Krome -- at present, these are only ones located at Krome: Hector M. Gonzalez and Ronald Libby.  Gloria Rodgers is located at BTC and Barbara Perry is at 7880... 

                                                                                                     Bridgette Rodriguez, President
                                                                                                     Local 1458

Dec. 25, 2003 - Some interesting news...

Vital Updates following INS FLSA Hearing of December 8-10
INS FLSA Case Information Updated December 18, 2003.

12/24/03 - Employees Limited to ONE Probationary Period! 

DHS plans slow transition to new Pay and Performance regulations

DISREGARD NOV 24, 2003 ITEM BELOW  - MATTER SETTLED AS OF DEC. 29.

Nov. 24, 2003 -  URGENT!  

AS MENTIONED IN OUR NOVEMBER 2003 NEWSLETTER TO MEMBERS, WE HAVE DRAFTED LETTERS TO OUR SENATORS FOR ESCORT OFFICERS TO SIGN ONTO.  ESCORT OFFICERS WITHIN THE FLORIDA DISTRICT, ESPECIALLY AT KROME, PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE BELOW WORD DOCUMENT AND PRINT OUT THE LIST ATTACHED THAT ASKS FOR YOUR NAME, SIGNATURE AND ADDRESS.  PLEASE SIGN AND PASS ON TO OTHER FELLOW KROME/7880 ESCORT OFFICERS TO SIGN, AND THEN IMMEDIATELY FAX OR MAIL TO LOCAL 1458, BRIDGETTE RODRIGUEZ, BY NLT DEC. 6, 2003 AT:  FAX: 1-775-243-2219 OR MAIL TO  LOCAL 1458, C/O RODRIGUEZ, 12630 NW 22 COURT, MIAMI, FL 333167.   (Note:  You canNOT do this on government time and/or using government equipment, as it is against law and agency regulation to use government equipment or time to address or lobby your Senators.)

DRAFT LETTER TO SENATORS AND LIST FOR ESCORT OFFICER SIGNATURES (Give 30 seconds to download):

        New Draft Letter to Senators with Attachments for IEA/DO Signatures

FYI, COPY OF PREVIOUSLY SENT LETTER TO GSA (WITHOUT ATTACHMENTS), IN .TIF 'IMAGE' DOCUMENT FORMAT (2 PAGES)    LOCAL 1458 Letter to GSA (PREVIOUS)   (You will need image preview program to open and view.  Remember you must "turn" the pages at the top of the image preview program.  The letter is 2 pages, without the documents that were attached to the original letter.)  

Nov. 21, 2003 -  NOTICE:  Employees must contact a Steward on the Local 1458 Stewards listing in order to speak with the union and/or seek representation.  If one Steward is not available, the employee must attempt to contact other Stewards on the listing, by the bureau they work in.  Should you not be able to find an available steward after exhausting the bureau list or you need a steward in a bona fide emergent-need circumstance, we have created  a customer service liaison Steward/VP-at-Large, Robert Aulita, who can be contacted via cc:Mail or via a beeper with voice mail features at (305) 566-2275.

Nov. 20, 2003 - View recent MOU on MIA ICE EMD.  (MOU is 2 pages and is  in  ".tif"  image format.  You will need an "image" preview program to open, and then you must turn the page to view.)

Nov 18, 2003 - From NINSC website

Nov 14, 2003 - Regular Membership Meeting and General Employee Meeting

Hector Bayron, Exec. VP (Enf.), Local 1458, will be holding an open meeting for all bargaining unit employees of Krome at 1700 hours on Friday, Nov. 21, 2003.  The meeting will be held at Krome SPC, Miami, in ADM 132 (old OIC office).

All bargaining unit employees of Krome are invited to attend and to bring their questions and/or concerns.

On-Going - URGENT!

AFGE DHS Petition
URGENT!! AFGE's DHS Petition (PDF) lays out what AFGE sees as the five fundamental principles concerning the new Department of Homeland Security Personnel system. By delivering these petitions to Secretary Ridge and Director James, we will show them that federal employees refuse to accept any personnel system that does not encompass these five underlying principles. Many Locals have already delivered initially signed petitions to our AFGE during the 3-day SRC meeting, Oct 22, 2003.  In fact, Local 1458 delivered over 180 and had over 30 more sent to it over the weekend.  HOWEVER, WE NEED TO KEEP GATHERING MORE SIGNED PETITIONS. IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY SIGNED IT, PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE (DHS PETITION), PRINT IT OUT, SIGN IT AND EITHER MAIL IT TO THE LOCAL OR FAX IT.  THE LOCAL'S FAX IS 1-775-243-2219 OR YOU CAN MAIL IT TO AFGE DHS PETITION,  80 "F" Street, NW   , Washington, DC 20001.   

November 10, 2003 AND ONGOING - SPECIAL LOCAL 1458 MEETING NOTICE! (CLICK HERE)

Oct. 30, 2003 - Local 1458 Letter to GSA on Escort Travel (is in .tif  "image" document format -- need image preview program to open and view. Letter is 2 pages, without attachments.) 

Oct. 29, 2003 - (A)  AFGE National President Gage's Testimony on DHS Before House Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Reorganization     (B)  Local 1458 Press Release on DHS (Oct. 2003)      (C)  Local 1458 (Sample) Letter to Senators/Congressmen on DHS (Oct. 2003) 

October 29, 2003 - INS FLSA Hearing Scheduled!
INS FLSA Case Updated October 29, 2003.

Oct 22, 2003 - (GOV EXEC) Union Leaders Optimistic About HS Personnel System

                                (GOV EXEC) Merger of Immigration/Customs Agents Causes Friction

Union Leaders Emerge Hopeful From DHS Meetings; Urge Secretary Ridge To Keep Promise To Unions

AFGE President Outlines Union's Goals for DHS Personnel Review Process Opening Statement by AFGE National President John Gage before the DHS Senior Review Committee The Deparment of Homeland Security's Senior Review Committee held public meetings the week of October 20 at the Almas Temple in Washington, DC, in order to evaluate the extensive list of personnel options submitted by the Design Team. The Senior Review Committee, which includes AFGE President John Gage and NTEU President Colleen Kelly, as well as representatives from DHS and OPM, will discuss the options on pay, classification, performance management, labor relations, and adverse actions. The three-day meeting will culminate in recommendations to Secretary Ridge and OPM Director Kay Cole James.  Their proposed regulations could be submited as early as next month. 10-20-2003

October 6, 2003 -  GSA teleconference held.   Bargaining unit employees and/or members can send a cc:Mail or private email to Exec. VP  Hector Bayron or VP-at-Large Cynthia Kohlmeier-Parker for details.  (President Rodriguez will be out of the office from Oct 7-12.) 

October 5, 2003 - Homeland Security Personnel System News (Washington Post)

October 3, 2003 - The GSA teleconference of Oct 2 (referenced in our Sept 24, 2003 news item) was postponed by the GSA, allegedly due to the illness of the Director.  It has been tentatively rescheduled for Oct 6.  Although a Krome steward was sent a ccmail/private email to participate, that Steward did not come to the union office or contact us.  (Participants were to be the President, Exec. VP, VP-at-Large (ICE D&R) and a Krome Steward.) 

Exec. VP visited Krome on Sept 29, but did not get a chance to speak with all stewards and will be returning there on Friday, Oct 10.  Some employees approached him about concerns on travel time and escorts.  Because he was aware we were scheduled to have a teleconference call with GSA and would be reviewing such matters, he asked the employees to place the details of their escorts in writing to him or send via cc:Mail.  As of Oct. 2, no cc:Mail messages or written comments were sent to him.  

On a separate note, Bayron spoke with management on having a private space for union stewards/officials to check their cc:Mail and/or compose grievances, etc., and Mr. Lee's old office was provided on a provisional basis. 

October 1, 2003 - A  9A notice received by Local with management's proposal to change the escort OT for (apparently) Krome and 7880 Deportation Officers.  Any comments should be sent by e-mail to the Local by NLT Friday, Oct 11, 2003. 

After-Hours 9A (Monitoring) Update -- President Rodriguez and Treasurer Perry met and bargained with ICE field office officials.  It appears that the After-Hours schedule will be AUO assignments, and not regular overtime.  (Therefore Article 27 will not apply.) In addition, management recently formed a unit for this purpose, and, at this time, it appears they will not be needing to mandatory anyone from Krome SPC.  (However, any DO or DEO/IEA interested in volunteering to perform this type work and After-Hours assignment should draft a memo through the chain-of-command to Mr. Mata for future consideration. )  More to follow, if and when a MOU is cemented. 

September 2003 - INS FLSA Grievance

September 29, 2003
AFGE Letter to Arbitrator Vitaro responding to INS letter of September 26, 2003.

September 26, 2003
Letter from INS to Arbitrator Vitaro following order of August 5, 2003.

September 8, 2003
Letter from Arbitator Vitaro in response to AFGE and INS letters dated September 5, 2003.

September 6, 2003
AFGE Letter to INS in response to INS letter dated September 5, 2003.

September 6, 2003
INS Letter to Arbitator Vitaro.

September 29, 2003 -  Immigration and Customs agents won’t have to wait for pay in new fiscal year

New ICE Krome Steward Volunteers - Luis Alonzo and David Bess from Krome SPC previously volunteered to be new Stewards.  Therefore, they are slated to receive new Stewards training on Oct 16 and 17, given by Mr. Emory (NINSC).  Thank you, Luis and David, for stepping up and volunteering to help your fellow employees and union!

Exec. VP Bayron will be back at Krome for an inspection and follow-up matters on Oct 7th.

Sept 24, 2003 - Exec. VP Bayron will visit/tour Krome on Sept 29, and speak with any available stewards while there.

Sept. 24, 2003 -  Local 1458 officials to speak with GSA Director on travel regulations on Oct 2nd.  (This is in follow-up President Rodriguez' request to Ms. Kohlmeier-Parker to contact GSA on their travel regs and training provided to ICE management and others in July ., as noted in the "July 22, 2003" ICE news item found towards the bottom of this web page.)  

In July, GSA conducted training on its federal travel regulations at Krome, SPC.  Because the GSA training officer reiterated to ICE officials that the outstanding travel regulations were to be followed on "rest periods", our previous understanding on same-day trips fell apart in areas where it had been previously respected.   Local President Rodriguez tasked VP-at-Large Kohlmeier-Parker with contacting and addressing a letter to GSA, giving an overview of escort officer duties and travel, and asking them to amend their regulations accordingly, keeping in mind officer health and safety. 

At the end of August, Ms. Kohlmeier-Parker called and spoke with the Branch Chief for GSA Training, who stated that the training at Krome was misconstrued and NOT meant for TDY assignments and/or escorts.  The type of travel escort officers do is not applicable to the GSA "travel regs", which are meant for a "casual traveler", not escort duties.  The Branch Chief apologized for the misunderstanding, and stated that escort travel should be conducted the same way we were doing it before the training. (This information was immediately passed on to ICE D&R management, including leaving them her telephone number.)

She stated that since an escort duty is a duty assignment and a TDY assignment, escort officers are exempt from the GSA travel restrictions.  An officer on a TDY assignment should be given the amount of rest period appropriate and applicable to the type of travel they are performing (i.e. length of time flying, when the next reasonable flight is available, etc.).  Supervisors are not mandated to leave within 24 hours, not mandated to only provide rest periods after 14 hours of flying.  Common sense should dictate a reasonable rest period.  Ms. Kohlmeier-Parker was referred to a Director, who would speak with her further on this so she could try to get something from them in writing. However, a teleconference could not be arranged until after his return on Sept 14; and a date was set for October 2nd for this teleconference.  At this time, President Rodriguez, Exec. VP Bayron, VP-at-Large Kohlmeier-Parker and a Krome Steward will be asked to participate in this call. 

Because of this new GSA information that their travel regs only apply to the "casual" traveler, and for other reasons relating to shoring up our stewards at Krome, President Rodriguez has tasked Exec. VP Bayron to be the “lead” Local Executive Board official on Krome matters, including meeting with Krome stewards and ICE management on this and other issues in September and beyond.

August 7, 2003 - A 9A notice (.tif "image" document) was received on after-hours duty roster due to new alien monitoring.  Such was sent to Stewards to disseminate for union-member comment when forming union bargaining proposals.  If you are a Local 1458 union member, feel free to give us feedback by NLT Thursday, August 14, 2003.

Update, August 15, 2003:  Only two members commented (stewards).  The Local's Demand to Bargain was submitted today. 

Sept. 12, 2003  -  ICE Whistleblowers on LESC

Sept. 10, 2003 -  AFGE DHS "Pay" Survey

AFGE is conducting a survey of DHS employees on pay issues and will forward the results to the DHS personnel system design team. Make sure your concerns are addressed. Complete the survey today! Thanks! (Click on link below.)

http://afge.org/Index.cfm?Page=HomelandSecurity

Sept. 10, 2003 -   Gov. Exec. Articles of Interest:  

House Rejects OMB's Job Competition Revisions (Passes Van Hollen Amendment!)

AFGE Press Release on House Passage of Van Hollen Amendment

Senate Passes Amendment Blocking Overtime Pay Change

House Passes 4.1 Percent Raise for 2004

From AILA website:

Sign-On Letter Urges BCIS to Restore Direct Phone Access to Service Centers

Sign-On Letter Urges BCIS Not to Contract Out the Immigration Officer Function

Results of AILA Survey Finds Extremely High Rate of Dissatisfaction with BCIS 800 Number

Sept 9, 2003 - Some important excerpts from the AFGE website, DHSworkers.org: 

DHSworkers.org was created to provide substantive and relevant information to DHS workers about the new department--not Administration rhetoric. URGENT: CBP Field Hearings This Week! Get the current schedule for the combined 'One Face at the Border' field hearings. Please consult the CBP section of this website for more info, and have as many of your members as possible attend your local meeting (all times are local). Customs and Border Protection After the public announcement on September 4, we were invited to a briefing on the CBP position. We met with CBP Executives to hear more specifics around the announcement made about the creation of a new CBP Officer position and want to share with you what we learned. View the CBP Page for several pertinent documents. AFGE and NTEU: Under the Department of Homeland Security, many bargaining units are being shuffled. In some cases, this means AFGE members are now working side-by-side with NTEU members. We wish to stress that all existing bargaining units are still in place - NTEU does not represent AFGE members; AFGE does not represent NTEU members. There are absolutely no plans for this to happen; in fact, the leadership of both AFGE and NTEU have promised to work cooperatively to avoid any such fight. In a joint letter written in July, former AFGE President Harnage and NTEU President Colleen Kelley said that "neither AFGE nor NTEU intends to initiate any action to change the unit structure from what it is today...Our interest is in continuing to represent the employees we serve today...If we are forced into a position that would normally pit us against one another, we have agreed to explore innovative ways to make it work so that the membership of both our unions remains strong and active." (Full Text ofAFGE-NTEU Joint Letter of Understanding on Bargaining Units) If anyone has questions about the relationship between AFGE and NTEU, the member should get in touch with his or her own union. AFGE members should contact Political Affairs Director Martin Dunleavy at (202) 639-6440 or mailto:%20dunlem@afge.org.

Sept. 8, 2003   New DHS Flyer: Do You Know... (PDF)

Sept. 1, 2003 -   Immigration and customs agents to cross-train with Air Marshals

Sept. 1, 2003 -  (Sanitized) Message from NINSC Sec-Treasurer/VP-at-Large on DEO/IEA's:

All:

As many of you know by now, the Agency is combining DEOs and Immigration Agents into a newly created
Immigration Enforcement Agent position. The new position benefits everyone affected in one way or
another, but it has a significant impact on DEOs. DEOs will now have the same authority as most CIs, DOs, IAs
and BPAs. DEOs will be able to determine alienage and will be able to put suspected illegals into removal
proceedings. They can even initiate criminal proceedings.

DEOs that did not complete IOBTC in another position, like BPA or Inspector, will have to complete a five
week training course, designed to get them up to date with the law. After completion of this "Transition
course" DEOs that meet all other requirements, like time in grade at GS-7, will be promoted to GS-9, which
is the full performance level of the position. DEOs that do not need the transition training, as
previously stated, are eligible for immediate promotion, provided they meet all other requirements.
These Officers may need to show proof of their graduation from IOBTC or the Border Patrol Academy. If
one cannot find their certificate of graduation, he or she may email FLETC to get something that confirms
their graduation from the Academy.

I personally fall into this category, having been an Inspector before. I was asked to provide proof of my
training at the Academy. Though I could have simply given them my certificate, I decided to test their
ability to find my records. It took a little time, but they had my records. Individuals that cannot find
their certificate of graduation from the Academy need to email pat.blatt@dhs.gov to get a letter certifying
that they graduated from IOBTC or the BPA. If anyone has problems getting the information, please have them
contact me, as it may be necessary to file national level grievances to work out some of the kinks in the
system.

The transition training will likely take place in Glynco, though they may set up a satellite facility to
handle additional students. As it is right now, the Agency plans to select students from what used to be
the three Regions by seniority (EOD INS). The Agency anticipates that it will take two years to get
everyone through that needs the training.. Supervisors are scheduled to start going to the Academy in October and
the first BUEs will probably start going in January 2004.

What will happen if someone fails the transition course? They will be sent back to their duty station
to study for at least a month before going back. If they fail again, they will be sent to the full IOBTC.

Now, some information for Immigration Agents.  IAs will still be in Investigations and will likely remain
there for the foreseeable future. IAs are immediately eligible for Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime
(AUO), though INV must be willing to fund it. I am told they are giving AUO to IAs in San Diego, but I do
not know about other areas. Please check in your respective areas and let me know whether or not all
IAs are being certified for AUO. Again, it may be necessary to file a national level grievance to force
Management to do the right thing for the IAs. 

A question was raised about uniforms for IAs. The Agency's intent is to make the new position a uniform
position, but we have argued that the new position should be non uniformed. Since IAs are still in INV, I
doubt they will be required to get uniforms. If anyone finds out something different, please let me know.

IAs and DEOs will not be required to get a commercial drivers license as part of the new position, though
Management has reserved the right to order them to get one. If they do, the Agency must pay for all licensing
and training requirements, including physicals for medical certificates in States like California. I
would like to know if any IA is ordered to get a CDL.

The Agency has begun to implement the reclassification, though the only immediate impact to
BUEs is AUO for IAs and immediate promotions to GS09 for those that have already graduated from IOBTC or
BPA. Also, DEOs at the GS-4 and GS-6 level will receive promotions to the next higher grade. The new
position is a bargaining unit position and will be part of OCORS. This is a 6C position, so the age
restriction is in there.

I've tried to cover all the questions and concerns I've received over the last few years that I've been
working on this project, but I realize that folks may have other questions. Please don't hesitate to contact
me with your questions and concerns about the reclassification. If I don't know the answer, I will
find it. Also, if you can think of some impact and implementation bargaining proposals, I'd like to hear
them. We have issued a demand to bargain and have given some proposals, but we have the ability to add,
amend, or delete our proposals before we go into formal negotiations. If you have some ideas, please
provide them ASAP. 

Employees having questions, concerns or suggested bargaining proposals (re: above) should contact Local1458@aol.com

August 29, 2003  Latest FLSA case update

                                       Bush limits pay raises for civilians 

August 26, 2003 -  DEO's become IEA's as of August 10.  Journeyman level will be GS-9, if one passes FLETC.  Duties amended.  Very, very recent "rumor" has it private contract may be awarded soon to take over escort duties.  Awaiting NINSC or AFGE "word". 

Escort Contract website: http://www.eps.gov/spg/DHS-DR/OSS/DoP/COW-3-R-0017/listing.html

Description of duties on new IEA vacancy announcement on BICE website: 

DESCRIPTION OF WORK                                                                                                                                                                            In compliance with ICE standards, an Immigration Enforcement Agent leads or is a member of a team, responsible for processing and deporting or escorting aliens, under final orders of removal, to their country of citizenship. The IEA also performs detention program responsibilities identified in ICE standards, including, but not limited to: 

ensuring detainee care (physical, mental and civil rights), intake and outtake processing, counseling regarding personal and family matters for detainees, and supervision and transportation (including prison pick-ups and medical and court transportation and security) of aliens detained in the Bureau’s custody. Additional responsibilities for the IEA may include: visiting holding and correctional facilities, implementing the Institutional Removal Program, initiating criminal proceedings against immigration status violators, determining alienage and fugitive operations, and working with other law enforcement officers or agencies. IEA’s also gather intelligence, evidence and information relating to ICE program activities by effectively utilizing interrogation, debriefing and other means of information collection. Individuals will be hired at the GS-5 level. Progression is to the GS-9 level after successful completion of the preceding grade(s). In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions; therefore, candidates must be appointed before reaching their 37th birthday unless they presently serve or have previously served in a Federal civilian law-enforcement retirement-covered position.