As COVID-19 spreads nationwide, leading to the carnage of closing twenty-one passport offices and leaving twelve passport offices still open, state and local officials have issued “shelter in place, stay at home orders” in many states and municipalities limiting movement of persons. Individuals not adhering to these orders in some areas, include fines and jail. It is now reported to the Union that at least two passport centers in different states, management is disregarding “stay at home orders” issued by state/local authorities and requiring employees to report to work, even though a public health issue is recognized. When the Union raised the issue to Management of movement restrictions because of “stay at home” orders for health and safety, one management official responded to the Union quoting, “If an employee resides within Charleston city limits, they are subject to the stay-at-home ordinance effective tomorrow. If they do not, there is no current restriction on their movement.” Then afterwards, on the same day, in an all hands e-mail notice to all the staff in the same passport center, Management addressed “stay at home” orders and movement restrictions in writing quoting, “Theworkplace, and not an employee’s place of residence determines whether they should or should not report to work under “shelter-in-place” or “stay-at-home” ordinances. Since CPC is not within Charleston city limits we are open.” Furthermore, in another passport center, it is reported a “stay at home /shelter in place” is in order in another state with a passport agency that is closed for health and safety, yet the employees that live in that state with movement restrictions and work at the passport office in a different state that is open, management has ordered those employees to travel from the “stay at home” state and to report to their work site where the passport office is open, in which there is no “stay at home, shelter in place” in that state/municipality.
AWS and COOP – Management and Union Partner-up, Expanded services in Minneapolis Passport Office
With the wrath of COVID-19 closing and restricting passport offices nationwide, this did not stop the Management and Union at the Minneapolis Passport Office with still offering limited services to the public during these times. The Management and Union made an Alternate Work Schedule Plan for a Continuity Of Operations Plan (COOP) to still render its limited services to the public and to balance the needs of the existing staff for flexibilities during COVID-19, see attached agreement.
Click Here for agreement.
Agency “Cell Phone” Restrictions Are Revised, DAS Rebuilding Trust at Department of State: Passport Services
Rachel Arndt, Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Passport Services, eases restrictions with cell phone usage in passport offices for employees. She notified employees in passport offices on March 23rd, via e-mail and a revised policy Memo describing employee responsibilities under this new policy, and also reaffirming Core Values of Our People, Integrity “by boosting morale…, valu[ing] feedback and repairing trust…”
As Ms. Arndt quotes to employees, “When we launched our Core Values last fall, I initiated the process of reviewing our PED policy…These are challenging times, and this policy will allow you to be more readily accessible while at work. I know I can trust in all of you to ensure that [ information ] is safeguarded at all times. Thank you for your resilience and continued commitment to our mission and to each other.”
Back in December 2019, Union President Lee Wentz penned a letter to Ms. Arndt requesting a consideration for review of policy of prohibitions with cell phones in work spaces.
Updates on COVID-19 and Passport Services
Clearly as of Friday March 20, 2020 the US Department of state was not able to make a life affirming decision to close the domestic passport offices for each and every dedicated employee that is still showing up to work, to serve a public that is being told to not leave the United States, or get home from abroad as soon as possible.
With cities, counties, and states locking down and asking folks to not leave their homes, even though the work we all do every day is important, it seems extremely shortsighted to think that our work can’t be postponed for a week or a month. So with that being said and you don’t feel like you can self-identify for WSL then please know that you have other options to not be in the office if you feel that you should not be commuting to work in the foreseeable future.
As your National Officers argued and negotiated for workplace flexibility or close the offices all together over the last week, the final request that one of us will make each and every day is to close the offices and let us all go home.
And as the day came to an end on Friday, the last request made by your National Officers to Headquarters was to please close our offices. If the IRS can close, then there is no reason we can’t close.
Please be safe and make the decision that is most right for you.
NFFE National Officers.
COVID19 – A Message From Your National Officers
From Your National Officers:
Please know that we understand and share your concerns regarding Passport Services and Covid-19 virus. We are in contact with Headquarters on what has become a daily basis to communicate those concerns to them and to get the most current information available. We are diligently working on proposals to present to Headquarters; unfortunately, the Covid-19 virus information and circumstances change faster than we can finish those proposals. Please know that we are actively working on new proposals that we hope will provide assistance and relief to us all.
IP Martinez Message to IAM Members on COVID-19 Outbreak
From – iMail March 12, 2020
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
I know there is much uncertainty surrounding the evolving COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak that has now been classified as a global pandemic. Our daily routines are being affected by the cancellation of many events in an effort to limit the spread of the virus. I want each and every member of our IAM family to know that the IAM is taking all necessary action to keep all of us safe, while continuing the important work of our union.
The most important thing each of us can do now is to heed the advice of health officials. Please closely follow guidelines and monitor updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The best way to avoid being exposed to this virus is to:
– Clean your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
– Avoid close contact with people who are sick
– Stay home and seek medical care if you are sick
– Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow
– Wear a facemask if you are sick
– Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily
I also encourage you to monitor the IAM Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center for more information, specific safety tips for our membership in the healthcare and transportation industries, as well as any updates on changes in IAM operations. Beginning this Saturday, March 14, we have made the decision to suspend programming at the Winpisinger Education and Technology Center for two weeks. We will closely monitor the situation and provide updates on all status changes.
To ensure that everything possible is being done to protect our membership at work, IAM Local Lodge Safety and Health Committees should meet with employers on steps being taken to mitigate the risk of virus transmission. Every employer has the responsibility to do everything necessary to keep its employees safe. Our union has a duty to hold employers responsible to that commitment.
The IAM Grand Lodge is working with elected officials to ensure that sufficient funding is available to respond to the outbreak and that steps are taken to protect jobs in industries that are especially affected by the pandemic.
Lastly, I want our membership to know that we will get through this difficult time together. Throughout our union’s 132-year history, we have always confronted great challenges. Our unity has pulled us through the toughest of times and this situation will be no different.
Let’s be smart, stay safe and continue our march toward dignity and justice for all working people.
Fraternally,
Robert Martinez Jr.
International President
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NFFE 1998 Elections Results
The results are in and here are NFFE Local 1998’s elected leaders.
- President: Lee Wentz
- Vice President: Boyd Hinton
- Recording Secretary: Jason Vick
- Secretary-Treasurer: Ryan Gallerani
- Conductor-Sentinel: Tony Shimmin
- Auditors: No Candidates Nominated
- Trustees: Anton Moyseyenko, Corinne Nielson and Robin Mullen
- Office Committee Members: Conor McGee, Dana Sibley and Tony Shimmin
- Senior Stewards
- AFO: Lu Ann Johnson
- Atlanta: Katina Carter
- Boston: Conor McGee
- Buffalo: Jeri Titus
- CPC: Jonah Baker
- Dallas: Antonio Chrestotholos
- Detroit: John Caraway
- Houston: Daniel Sanders
- Los Angeles: Ronald Gibson
- Offices of Law Enforcement Liaison: Gerald Moore
- Miami: Dana Sibley
- Minneapolis: Ben Voas
- New Orleans: Debra Reese-Jolly
- NPC: Helen Bechard
- New York: Richard Phelps
- San Diego: Alex Abrego
- Washington: Intisar Na’im
- WPC: Patricia Spencer
All elected positions are for a term of 3 years, running from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022. We extend our renewed thanks to all of the outgoing officers and representatives.
Updates to this website reflecting the results will be posted in the coming weeks along with new bios and other important information.
Your NFFE 1998 Election Candidates List is Posted
The candidates for the 2019 NFFE 1998 Election are now available on this website for view by all registered NFFE 1998 website users. How do you become a NFFE 1998 Website registered user? If you are already a dues paying member, just click here and register for the website. *Or become a dues paying member by completing the SF-1187 form here.
*You must have your membership number to complete registration or you will not be given access. If you are not sure of your membership number, reach out to your local steward or Secretary-Treasurer Kayla Daly for help. All dues paying members will also receive the candidate information as per our bylaws.
NFFE 1998 Elections Update
Good Afternoon from the Election Committee,
In preparation for the upcoming union election, some nominators received notices regarding a deadline of October 18, 2019 for nominees to respond to their nomination. As with any large undertaking the Election Committee has fallen slightly behind, and as a result we are pushing back the deadline for nominees to accept their nominated position(s). We anticipate all eligible nominees to receive notification by Tuesday, October 29, 2019. The new tentative deadline for nominees to accept is Friday, November 8, 2019 giving nominees 10 days to consider their decision. We apologize for the delay and greatly appreciate your continued support.
Here is the updated calendar for the election:
*Tuesday, October 29: all nominees notified of their nominations
*Friday, November 8: deadline for nominees to accept their nominations and submit a photo and candidate statement
*Monday, November 18: ballots mailed
*Monday, December 9: recommended postmark date for returning ballots
*Thursday, December 19: receipt cutoff for ballots
Thank you for patience and understanding.
–NFFE 1998 Election Committee.
Nominations For NFFE 1998 Elected Positions Due By October 13, 2019.
NFFE 1998 members, keep an eye out in the mail for election nomination notices. This is your opportunity to nominate who you want to represent you in the local for 2020 through 2022. Every elected role in Local 1998 will be up for election this year, but only those nominated can be voted on. Note that whoever is elected President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer of the local will also serve as the local’s delegates to the IAM and NFFE conventions (with the newly-elected Trustees serving as their alternates).
Get your nominations for your location’s Senior Steward and the numerous national positions turned in before October 13th!
For questions please see your local steward, one of the National Officers, or send an email to NFFE1998Nominations@gmail.com.