3 attend federal collective bargaining class
June 9, 2008: NFFE Local 1998 Chief Steward Karen Proctor-Adams, NPC Senior Steward Helen Bechard, and PPT/WN Senior Steward Melissa Toby attended the week-long Federal Sector Collective Bargaining class at the IAMAW's Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Placid Harbor, Maryland.  

Latest issue of Local 1998 News issued 
June 3, 2008: The Union published the 14th edition of Local 1998 News.  Topics included the settlement of the night shift grievance, the new adjudication performance standards, and the Union's endorsement of H.R. 5752.  

Union endorses H.R. 5752: manufacturing the passport should not be outsourced overseas
May 29, 2008: NFFE and Local 1998 issued a press release announcing that we endorse H.R. 5752, a bill introduced by Rep. Bill Sali (R-Id) to prohibit the manufacturing of the U.S. passport in foreign countries.  The bill was introduced on April 9, 2008 and was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.  The Union is calling on all members, employees, and supporters to contact to write or email their Representatives and Senators and ask them to support H.R. 5752.  

New adjudicator performance elements
March 23, 2008: Passport Services and NFFE Local 1998 issued a joint memo announcing the implementation of new performance elements for the nearly 1300 Passport Specialists represented by the Union.  This is the product of a successful collaboration between the Union and Management.  This change came about as the Department of State (DOS) Human Resources office sought to make more meaningful distinctions in rating levels.  For example, in 2006, 83% of all DOS staff were rated "Outstanding" overall (the highest possible level), while only 32% of the Passport Specialists were rated at that level.  That difference is not expected to continue.  The new elements have some generic job duties that are identical for all DOS staff but, for the most part, contain the same language the previous elements had - just moved to different places as 4 critical elements and 1 non-critical element under the old system are now 4 critical elements and 3 critical commitments in the new system.  Management agreed in December to a Union proposal to allow all employees to watch an informative town hall video and participate in a Union survey, and that input was utilized by the Union during numerous communications with Management officials over the last 6 months to jointly determine where the old duties would be placed in the new elements.  The most significant change in the performance rating system is that each element/commitment will be rated on a 3-level scale rather than the old 4-level scale.  One very positive result of this change is that the 32 passports adjudicated per hour Outstanding level (using the GS-9/11 figure) is no more; employees seeking the highest rating for the numerical element will now have to adjudicate 28 passports per hour.  As the integrity of the passport issuance process is the most important concern of the employees, this is a welcome change indeed because it will allow those employees an additional 16 seconds per application in order to more diligently detect passport fraud and make fewer errors.  

Night shift grievance settled; 9 employees moved to day shift; new contract article created
May 22, 2008: The Grievance initially filed by the Union on October 29, 2007 after Management at the Washington (DC) Passport Agency (PPT/WN) forced new employees to move to the night shift has been amicably settled.  The Union had invoked arbitration on February 15, 2008, but the hearing has been cancelled.  NFFE Local 1998 Union President Colin Walle and Vice President Mike Garofano signed a Settlement Agreement with Department of State and Passport Services officials.  As a result of the settlement, 9 employees at PPT/WN will move to the day shift, effective Monday, May 26th.  Also, employees on the night/second shift anywhere in Passport Services nationwide who were not given fair notice of the requirement to work the night shift prior to be hiring, or who had volunteered for night (assuming they could return to day shift), have until 8:00 PM local time on June 13th to email their supervisors that they desire to return to day shift.  Those employees will be moved back to day shift by August 12th, though delays in construction at the National Passport Center (Portsmouth, NH), the Charleston (SC) Passport Center, and the Chicago Passport Agency may move that timetable back for those three offices.  Moving from night shift to day shift (and day shift to night shift) is henceforth governed by an amendment (a new Article 38) added to the collective bargaining agreement as part of the settlement.  

OT $ for employee interviewed by OIG
May 16, 2008: NFFE Local 1998 successfully secured 6 hours of overtime pay for an employee interviewed by the Department of State's Office of Inspector General as part of a wide-ranging investigation into the passport file search controversy.  The employee, who did not violate any rules, was interviewed outside of normal work hours by the OIG.  The Union contacted HQ to obtain concurrence that the employee was due overtime pay for performing these official duties, and communicated that information to the employee.  

Honolulu Passport Agency visited by RS
May 14, 2008: NFFE Local 1998 Recording Secretary Jennifer Gile visited the Honolulu Passport Agency to conduct two Union orientation sessions for employees, meet with managers, discuss issues of concern with individual employees, and have a membership drive at lunch.  As a result of the trip, eight employees joined the Union.  

VP visits Connecticut Passport Agency
May 7-8, 2008: NFFE Local 1998 Vice President Mike Garofano visited the Connecticut Passport Agency.  He conducted an orientation session for new employees and provided representational training to new Senior Steward Mayla Tillackdharry.  

Now is the time to apply for a passport! 
April 26, 2008: With the implementation of the final phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative projected for June 1, 2009, there has never been a better time to apply for or renew your U.S. passport.  Current passport information is available on the U.S. Department of State’s website, www.travel.state.gov, or by calling the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.

Local 1998 RS & NFFE BR visit Colorado 
April 24, 2008: NFFE Local 1998 Recording Secretary Jennifer Gile and NFFE Business Representative Gary Johanson visited the Colorado Passport Agency.  They met with PPT/CO Management officials, conducted a Union orientation for employees, held a membership drive, and provided representational training.  At least 3 employees became Union members as a result of the trip.  

Management agrees to allow employees to read Internal Controls Guidelines 
April 17, 2008: Passport Services Management informed local office Management that all bargaining unit employees should be given a minimum of 3 hours of work time to read the comprehensive (and lengthy) November 2007 Internal Controls Guidelines, and to hold a 1 hour team meeting to discuss the rules.  The Union had made this proposal to Management on September 13, 2007, in response to the draft guidelines that were shared with the Union, and reiterated the proposal on March 21, 2008.  Local 1998 welcomes this decision by Passport Services Management.  This is another example of the Union and Management working together to better achieve the mission.  

H.R. 5752: a bill to require that U.S. passports be manufactured in the U.S.  
April 12, 2008: In the wake of news that the production of blank passport books had been outsourced to foreign companies - with actual blank passports being manufactured overseas, including Thailand - Congressman Bill Sali (R-Id) introduced legislation to require that passports be produced in the United States.  The bill, numbered H.R. 5752, had 10 cosponsors and was referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.  

Passport Services embroiled in controversies 
April 5, 2008: Following on the heels of 2007's passport surge debacle, Passport Services has received a great deal of negative media coverage within the last few weeks.  On March 20th, media reports revealed that three contractor employees improperly looked at the passport files for Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain, and that a government employee improperly looked at the passport file for Senator Hillary Clinton.  The Department of State Office of Inspector General is investigating the file snooping.  NFFE Local 1998 secured an acknowledgement from Passport Services Management that employees being interviewed by OIG investigators do possess Weingarten Rights and may have a Union representative present during the interview, after a supervisor initially denied the request.  The Union also emailed a reminder to employees nationwide on April 3rd.  Media stories on March 26th reported the shocking news that the passport cover and new electronic chip has been outsourced to foreign companies, including one manufacturing plant in Thailand.  On April 3rd, Passport Services' Acting Managing Director Betsy Anderson and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State (DAS) Ann Barrett sent messages to all staff nationwide that they would no longer be serving in those positions.  On April 4th, media outlets reported that the top Passport Services manager, DAS Ann Barrett, was being replaced, though no connection was made between that move and the recent controversies.  The Acting DAS for Passport Services will now be Lawrence Baer.  

Local 1998 VP & NFFE BR visit New Orleans
March 28, 2008: NFFE Local 1998 Vice President Mike Garofano and NFFE Business Representative Gary Johanson visited the New Orleans Passport Agency.  The two representatives met with Management officials, conducted an orientation of new employees, provided training to the New Orleans Union representatives (Debra Reese-Jolly, Donald Roberts, Yvonne Smith, and Jeanette Triplett), and conducted a membership drive.  Ten employees took this opportunity to become Union members!!!  

13th edition of Local 1998 News published 
March 26, 2008: The thirteenth edition of Local 1998 News was published.  Stories covered in the newsletter included Management's appeal of Arbitrator Jerome H. Ross' ruling in the overtime performance measurement grievance, an upcoming arbitration hearing regarding work schedules, the change in policy regarding "S&R" notations, and the so-called enhanced driver's license.  

Grievance filed re: explanation of rights given to "probationary" employees
March 25, 2008: The Union filed a Grievance Between the Parties with Passport Services HQ regarding the explanation of appeal rights given to employees in a probationary status.  The Union alleged that probationary employees have not been fully informed of their rights, including § 5 U.S.C. 7513 appeal rights for those that meet the definition of an "employee" under § 5 U.S.C. 7511, in light of the U.S. Court of Appeals decision in the McCormick and Van Wersch cases, and the OPM's recent changes to the CFR.  Hundreds of new employees have been hired under a new "CEP" 2-year probationary period so, among other requests, the Union is seeking to have employees who had one year of current continuous federal service either before they entered on duty or completed midway through their 2-year probationary period properly notified that they had satisfied the statutory requirement for earning the § 5 U.S.C. 7513 appeal rights in the event they are terminated. 

Five NFFE Local 1998 reps attend training 
March 8, 2008: Five representatives of NFFE Local 1998 began a week-long training class at the IAMAW's Winpisinger Education and Technology Center.  The Local 1998 reps in attendance are Recording Secretary Jennifer Gile, Senior Steward (NPC) Chuck Black, Union Steward (NPC) Nate Tortora, Senior Steward (CPC) Russell Gaither, and Union Steward (MM) Jeff Affleck.  They are attending a Federal Employees Seminar.  The training covers issues such as the Federal Service Labor Management Relations Statute, handling complaints, filing grievances, filing Unfair Labor Practice charges, and other matters.  This training, paid for by the Union, enables the representatives to better serve their fellow Passport Services employees.  

NFFE Local 1450 part of $24 million FLSA settlement
March 5, 2008: Attorney Mike Snider issued a press release announcing that NFFE Local 1450 and AFGE Council of HUD Locals 222 had settled a grievance regarding the Fair Labor Standards Act payment of overtime wages with the Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The grievance covers approximately 7000 current and former HUD bargaining unit employees.  As part of the settlement, HUD agreed to pay these employees $24 million.  Mr. Snider previously represented NFFE Local 1998 in a similar FLSA grievance that netted $306,401.09 in back pay plus interest for approximately 500 Passport Specialists. 

Union opposes Management's appeal to FLRA 
February 27, 2008: NFFE Local 1998 Union President Colin Walle submitted an "Opposition" to the February 7, 2008 Exception (appeal) that the Department of State submitted to the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA).  The Union argued that Management's Exception should be dismissed by the FLRA because it was not timely filed and because Management's argument that the Arbitrator exceeded his authority was erroneous.  If the Union prevails in this appeal, and the FLRA dismisses the Exception, then that means that employees who were not measured fairly in their 2007 overtime desk adjudication performance will have their production figures revised effective February 28, 2007 onward.  

Union invokes arbitration over schedules dispute
February 15, 2008: NFFE Local 1998 invoked arbitration over the work schedules grievance filed at the Washington, DC Passport Agency.  New employees were forced to work the 4/10 Compressed Work Schedule and work the night shift, in violation of the Article 26 contractual requirement that participation in those schedules is "voluntary".  The Union requested a panel of arbitrators from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and already received the list.  

NFFE President Rick Brown meets with members
February 7, 2008: Rick Brown, President of the National Federation of Federal Employees, visited Local 1998 Union members who work at the National Passport Center.  President Brown met with Union members at lunch and also met with the Union representatives to discuss issues affecting bargaining unit employees. 

Management files exception to Arbitrator's award
February 7, 2008: The Department of State Office of Legal Advisor filed an exception (an appeal) to the Federal Labor Relations Authority challenging Arbitrator Jerome H. Ross's January 9th decision on the Union's desk adjudication overtime measurement grievance.  NFFE Local 1998 representatives are working with NFFE National to file an opposition to the exception.  

Union grieves new passport application
February 1, 2008: In the first grievance of its kind that Local 1998 has filed, Local 1998 submitted a Grievance Between the Parties regarding the new passport applications.  The grievance alleges violations of Article 1 (the integrity of the passport issuance process), Article 4 (Union/Management Cooperation Agreement), and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.  The changes to the forms were made without involving the representatives (Local 1998) of the employees who work with the forms on a day-to-day basis to the degree required by Article 4.  The Union requested that Management make certain changes to the next version of the forms and involve employee representatives on the drafting committees for future revisions. 

Forced CWS/night shift grievance continues 
January 15, 2008: NFFE Local 1998 filed a Step 3 Grievance with Passport Services HQ regarding the decision to force new employees to work a 4/10 Compressed Work Schedule on the night shift at the Washington, DC Passport Agency.  

Arbitrator issues decision: OT performance measurement award must be retroactive 
January 9, 2008: Passport Services HQ informed the Union on New Year's Eve that, pursuant to the Arbitrator Jerome H. Ross's October 23rd decision on the grievance, they would apply a new "0.875" factor to the measurement of desk adjudication on overtime starting on January 1, 2008.  This would take into account the so-called "nonproductive tasks" that employees must perform while on overtime other than adjudication.  Management stated that this solution would not be applied retroactively.  As the arbitrator retained jurisdiction over the case, the Union invited Management to jointly contact the arbitrator, but Management declined, so the Union requested an order directing Management to comply and the arbitrator issued that order on January 9th.  Management was directed to apply the solution from February 28, 2007 onward for those employees who did not have their nonproductive tasks taken into account previously.   

Local 1998 election results announced
December 26, 2007: NFFE Local 1998 Election Committee members Nathan Tortora and Bernadet Smith announced the winners of the election for Union officers.  Colin Walle was reelected as Union President, Mike Garofano was reelected as Vice President, Pat Caron was reelected as Recording Secretary, and Rob Arnold was reelected as Secretary-Treasurer.  Carissa Guilmette, Ronda Humphries, and Robert Posey were elected as the three Trustees.  The terms of office begin on January 1, 2008 and end on December 31, 2010.  

Union & Management discuss proposed new performance appraisal plan
December 7, 2007: Management officials from the Department of State's Human Resources office and Passport Service Headquarters visited Seattle to meet with the Union President, Secretary-Treasurer, and the Seattle Senior Steward and Union Stewards to discuss the proposed new performance appraisal plan.  

Management denies grievance regarding 2nd shift at Washington, DC Passport Agency 
November 29, 2007: Passport Services Management rejected the Union's grievance that was filed to contest the decision to force new employees at the Washington, DC Passport Agency to work a night shift, including a 4/10 compressed work schedule.  

Arbitrator issues decision: Passport Specialists were not measured fairly while performing desk adjudication on overtime
November 1, 2007: Arbitrator Jerome H. Ross issued his decision on the grievance filed by NFFE Local 1998 regarding the measuring of desk adjudication on overtime.  The Union had argued that by not including the "non-productive tasks" (e.g., locking/unlocking, logging in/out of the computer and other programs, obtaining/moving batches, etc.) in the calculation of overtime performance, Management had violated Article 18 of the collective bargaining agreement.  Passport Specialists are measured on desk adjudication for 6.5 hours in a regular 8.0 hour day, but for 7.5 hours in an 8.0 hour overtime day.  Article 18 requires that performance be measured fairly, equitably, and using the most accurate methods available.  However, the Arbitrator decided that the bill should be split equally between the Union and Management ($3952.10 apiece) because he did not believe it was proved that employees perform exactly and precisely the same non-productive tasks on overtime as on regular time.  The Arbitrator ordered Passport Services Management to "cease and desist" using the MIS category "Overtime Desk - All Applications" and he remanded the grievance to Management "to account for Passport Specialists' nonproductive tasks while performing desk adjudication on overtime."  The Arbitrator also retained jurisdiction of the grievance if there is any dispute over the remedy.  Note: the bill was later split with the Union paying $3202.10 and Management paying $4702.10, per the collective bargaining agreement.  
 

This site is owned & maintained by IAMAW FD1 NFFE FL1998, the Union that represents the bargaining unit employees of Passport Services (a division of the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs). The views expressed here are those of the Union and not the federal government.