National Federation of Federal Employee’s
47th National Convention

By Michael Garofano
Local 1998 Vice President - National Passport Center, Portsmouth, NH

October 11, 2004, the 47^th National Convention for the National Federation of Federal Employees kicked off from Bally’s Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.  NFFE National President Richard N. Brown called the Convention to order, Monday morning.  NFFE Local 1 President Patricia LaSala gave the invocation.

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers General Vice President Robert V. Thayer addressed the delegates in resounding voice emphasizing that we need to continue to grow, {NFFE has added 415 members over the last two years} through organizing we could regain our strength.

Guest speakers, Ron Ault, President of the Metal Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, and David Holway, President of the National Association of Government Employees echoed the comments of Vice President Thayer as well as giving thanks to NFFE President Brown for all his support with creating a coalition to combat the National Security Personnel System.  They greatly appreciated President Brown’s vision by working together to oppose this unjust burden that is being placed on the our brothers and sisters in the Department of Defense.

The morning’s speakers concluded with an invigorating address from Frank Carelli, Head of the Government Employees Department with the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers.

The morning concluded with President Richard N. Brown’s report.  He stayed on the same theme, he said, “that this not going to be easy, members must get involved, members must work together, and members will bring about a change!  Forty years ago Union members took a stand for you, now it’s time for you to take a stand for the future.  The NSPS needs to be corrected, working together this can be accomplished.”

The afternoon started with a very positive District Lodge Audit Report by John Paolino, National Secretary-Treasurer.  John stated that those Lodges that where not collecting dues via “dues deduction” need to make a change to it.  The reports that need to produced need everyone to participate via a dues deduction program otherwise the lag time skews the reports and it is certainly not in NFFE’s best interest.

Susan Grundmann, NFFE’s General Counsel, gave an update on the state of the National Security Personnel System.  Randy Erwin gave an update on the status of NFFE Communication achievements and future goals.  Abraham Orlofsky, NFFE’s Historian, gave a summation of the history of NFFE as well as an update on an agreement with Georgia State University, which is the official curator of for Labor Archives.  They have already accepted 86 cubic feet of material from NFFE and there is still more to go.  Bud Taylor of NFFE Local 1164, presented a video tape interview with Jim Rassmann, the soldier famous for having been rescued by John Kerry.  The interview had taken place during the presidential campaign at the Dover Public Library, in Dover, New Hampshire.

The final guest speaker of the day was the very dynamic Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, from Nevada’s first district.  Congresswoman Berkley has always been a true friend to Labor and even though she was fighting a nasty cold, we were elated that she was able to address the convention.

The day concluded with nominations and introductions for national offices.  Those who had accepted nominations are listed below: 

President:

          Richard Brown

          Sandy Bond 

Secretary Treasurer:

          John Paolino                   {unopposed} 

National Vice-President:

          Tim Baker

          Joe Drozdowski

          Doug Law

          Kolleen McGrath

          John Obst

          Gloria Porter

          Maria Hernandez

          Eileen Calhoun

          Patricia LaSala

          Lorraine Payton

          Deborah Ransom 

Each of the candidates had five minutes to introduce themselves or to have someone else present their issues for them on their behalf.

This concluded day number one of the convention.

Day number two of the 47^th National Convention for the National Federation of Federal Employees consisted of training, training and more training.  Susan Grundmann gave presentations on both Grievances and Unfair Labor Practices.  Jim Davis, NFFE Business Representative, gave a presentation focusing on “Preparing for the Table”, followed by Steve Flory, NFFE Business Representative, pertaining to “Negotiability Appeals,” and Bill Fenaughty, Assistant Directing Business Representative, finished the morning session by covering “Impasse Proceedings.”

The afternoon started off with John Griffin, NFFE Business Representative, gave an “Introduction to the Revised OMB Circular A-76.”  Susan Grundmann gave an update of the “Legal Implications of OMB Circular A-76 on Union Rights.”  Dan Duefrene, NFFE Forest Service Council, Region 5, Vice President, gave a presentation of actual adverse impact of an A-76 contract with the Forest Service.  Dan covered everything from contractor deception to Congressional support.This concluded day number two of the convention.

Day number three of the 47^th National Convention for the National Federation of Federal Employees started out with National Elections.  The convention was put in recess to hold the election.  I felt privileged to have the honor of casting our 5 votes for President and 5 votes for each of the seven Vice Presidents.

When the convention reconvened in the afternoon, the election results were not complete yet.  President Brown took this opportunity to present a few, well deserved, Lifetime Achievement Awards.  The first award was given to Brother Abraham Orlofsky for his 42 years of serve to the Union.  While attending the convention, Abe was also celebrating his 57^th anniversary with his wife Thelma.  President Brown also presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to Brother Frank R Hazelton and Brother William Ackerknect for their 47 and 33 years of service to the Union respectively.  The convention was then recessed pending the election results.

The convention was called to order by President Brown later Wednesday afternoon.  The elections took quite a bit longer than expected, but this is a long process.  Each candidate has two observers for the casting of ballots and each candidate has one observer for the actual tally of the ballots.

The winners are as follows: 

                    President:                               Richard Brown 

                    Secretary Treasurer              John Paolino 

                    1^st Vice President                 Patricia LaSala

                    2^nd Vice President                Doug Law

                    3^rd Vice President                Joe Drozdowski

                    4^th Vice President                Kolleen McGrath

                    5^th Vice President                Gloria Porter

                    6^th Vice President                John Obst

                    7^th Vice President                Deborah Ransom 

President Brown congratulated the elected members and thanked all that made the election a happen, all the nominees, and especially the election committee.

Next on the agenda was the Bylaws Committee, they brought forth reviewed resolutions for the body to act on.  One significant resolution that passed now limits the NFFE to hold conventions every four years rather than every two years.  This was looked at as a major cost savings as well as helping NFFE concentrate on our annual Legislative awareness week.  I expect a more detailed report from headquarters when the changes are incorporated into NFFE’s bylaws.

A couple of resolutions were attempted to be brought forth for action by the body, but the lacked the necessary floor votes to be considered at that time.

President Brown then adjourned the 47^th NFFE National Convention.

NFFE members and their guests later joined together in the hall to watch the third Presidential Debate on the “big screen” television.