Legislative Affairs
"Avoiding Problems by Identifying Solutions"
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AFGE VA staff will host a monthly call with our Legislative and Political Coordinators (LPC). Our goals are to improve 2-way communication between our Locals and staff, increase grassroots activism and to better measure field activity. This call will only discuss VA Issues
VA LPC Call occur every first Thursday at 8pm.
Oct 1, 2015
Nov 5, 2015
Dec 3, 2015
Call-in #: 877-810-9415
Passcode: 1243926
AFGE DOD staff will host a monthly call with our Legislative and Political Coordinators (LPC). Our goals are to improve 2-way communication between our Locals and staff, increase grassroots activism and to better measure field activity. This Call will only discuss DOD issues
Beginning next Tuesday, October 6th, we will hold a monthly DoD LPC call to update you on our legislative agenda, grassroots efforts, and allow a platform to discuss legislative roadblocks that you are encountering locally. This monthly call will take place on the first Tuesday of each month at 8:00 pm EDT (7:00 Central; 6:00 Mountain; 5:00 Pacific), and last for 30 minutes.
TELECONFERENCING INSTRUCTIONS:
Dial-in number: 530-881-1300
Pin: 968023
DATE: Tuesday, October 6
TIME: 8:00 pm, EDT (7:00 Central; 6:00 Mountain; 5:00 Pacific)
SHUTDOWN
Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act, ensures that all federal employees receive retroactive pay for the duration of any shutdown, regardless of furlough status. Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland has introduced a similar bill, the 2015 Federal Employee Fair Treatment Act. (S.554
18 Cosponsors in Senate) (H.R.1024 57 cosponsors)
The last shutdown cost taxpayers $25 billion dollars and put hard working government employees' livelihoods in limbo. While Congress squabbles, federal employees struggle to make ends meet and the public has nowhere to turn for the vital services they rely on. AFGE members stood up and ended a shutdown before. (Delayed until December 2015
HR 304 (FAIR Act) – Introduced by Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA). To increase the rates of pay under the statutory pay systems and for prevailing rate employees by 3.8 percent, and for other purposes. 78 cosponsors. (S 164, the senate version of the FAIR pay bill 6 current cosponsors).
Pension Cuts – As the budget comes to the floor and amendments etc. are proposed, we will keep you informed as well as any planned mobilization efforts.
HR 785 (Federal Employee Pension Fairness Act of 2015) – (22 cosponsors) Introduced by Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD). H.R. 785 would restore federal employees’ pension contributions, requiring federal employees to contribute their original 0.8%. The federal retirement systems play no role whatsoever in the creation of the deficit, and reducing benefits to federal works has made no positive effect on the budget or the economy. Since 2011, federal workers have contributed more than $159 billion towards deficit reduction, including an unprecedented three-year pay freeze, a 2.3% increase in pension contributions by employees hired in 2013, and a 3.6% increase in pension contributions by employees hired after 2013. Ask your MOC for their co-sponsorship of this legislation should be part of the same as ask as the FAIR Act bill on pay.
H.R. 305- Offshoring Prevention Act (4 cosponsor) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include in foreign base company income, for purposes of determining the foreign trade income of controlled foreign corporations, imported property income. Defines "imported property income" as, with certain exceptions, income attributable to property manufactured outside of the United States and imported for sale into the United States. Provides for a separate application of limitations on the foreign tax credit for imported property income.
H.R. 814 – Thin Blue Line Act (16 cosponsors) Amends the federal criminal code to make the killing or attempted killing of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder an aggravating factor in death penalty determinations.
S.368 - Correctional Officer Self-Protection Act of 2015 (3 cosponsors, no change) Amends the federal criminal code to require the Bureau of Prisons to ensure that each chief executive officer of a federal penal or correctional institution: (1) provides a secure storage area located outside of the secure perimeter of the institution for qualified law enforcement officers employed by the Bureau to store firearms, or allows such officers to store firearms in a vehicle lockbox approved by the Bureau; and (2) allows such officers to carry concealed firearms on the premises outside of the secure perimeter of the institution.
H.R.1545 –Lt Osvaldo Albarati Correctional Officer Self-Protection Act (11 Cosponsors,) Amends the federal criminal code to require the Bureau of Prisons to ensure that each chief executive officer of a federal penal or correctional institution: (1) provides a secure storage area located outside of the secure perimeter of the institution for qualified law enforcement officers employed by the Bureau to store firearms, or allows such officers to store firearms in a vehicle lockbox approved by the Bureau; and (2) allows such officers to carry concealed firearms on the premises outside of the secure perimeter of the institution.
H.R. 485 - Wage Grade Parity Act (12 cosponsor) Prohibits any prevailing rate employee in a federal agency, between January 1 and September 30, 2015, from being paid an amount exceeding specified limits resulting from an applicable wage survey adjustment. Prohibits the percentage increase in wages paid to a prevailing wage employee in FY2015 from being less than the percentage increase in the basic pay of other federal employees in the same pay locality.
H.R. 1193 –Prohibition on Per Diem Reduction (32 cosponsors) Prohibits uniformed service agencies or the Department of Defense (DOD) from altering the amount of the locality-based travel and transportation per diem allowances or reimbursements to which certain uniformed service members or civilian DOD employees are entitled based on the duration of temporary duty assignments or official travel in a locality. Nullifies the DOD policy implemented on November 1, 2014, regarding reductions in per diem allowances based on the duration of temporary duty assignments or civilian travel.
H.R. 472 Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act (15 Cosponsors) Amends the federal criminal code to require the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to issue oleoresin capsicum spray to: (1) any Bureau officer or employee employed in a prison that is not a minimum or low security prison who may respond to an emergency situation in such prison; and (2) such additional prison officers and employees as the Director deems appropriate, subject to specified requirements.
S. 502 – Smarter Sentencing Act (14 Cosponsors,) Amends the federal criminal code to direct the court to impose a sentence for specified controlled substance offenses without regard to any statutory minimum sentence if the court finds that the criminal history category for the defendant is not higher than category two. (Currently, the court may disregard the statutory minimum if the defendant does not have more than one criminal history point.
H.R. 920 –Smarter Sentencing Act (58 Cosponsors,) Amends the federal criminal code to direct the court to impose a sentence for specified controlled substance offenses without regard to any statutory minimum sentence if the court finds that the criminal history category for the defendant is not higher than category two. (Currently, the court may disregard the statutory minimum if the defendant does not have more than one criminal history point.
The budget resolution passed the House and Senate ---Next the House and Senate will meet to resolve the differences between their two budgets, which will result in a conference report. Then they’ll vote in each chamber again on the conference report. Even if it passes both chambers, it’s a non-binding resolution that does not go to the President for signature. Ultimately, if Congress is going to try to cut federal employee benefits, they will have to do it in legislation and that legislation will have to be signed into law. We’ll be paying a lot of attention to any efforts to do that, and will oppose any further cuts to your benefits with every ounce of strength we have.
H.R. 2146 - Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act (PASSED June 2015)
S. 969 – Federal Public Safety Retirement Fairness Act (PASSED Jun 2015)
S. 242- Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 (PASSED AUG 2015)
H.R. 313- Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 (PASSED Sept 2015)
OPM Data Breech
AFGE has filed a lawsuit alleging that Office of Personnel Management’s leadership failed to heed warnings, obey security policies and are liable for one of the largest data breaches in U.S. history.
Girard Gibbs is conducting a continuing investigation into the data breach. If you were impacted by the breach and have additional information regarding the breach or would like to learn more about the lawsuit, please visit http://www.girardgibbs.com/opm-data-breach-litigation/ or send an email to opm@girardgibbs.com.
AFGE will demand accountability and will take every necessary step to see that the interests and security of the nearly 700,000 people we represent are addressed.
AFGE is working closely with OPM to identify the extent of the breach and ensure that every possible measure to remediate and further protect member information is taken to the fullest.
AFGE is demanding employees be granted administrative leave during the work day to register for credit monitoring and fraud protection services and deal with any other fallout resulting from the data breach.
AFGE is demanding lifetime credit monitoring services for all federal employees.
We are conducting AFGE District 4’s annual Legislative Political Training Institute (LPTI) beginning on Friday, October 23rd and concluding on Sunday, October 25th. The District and National office funds a large portion of this very important institute; therefore it is imperative that you select a candidate that can truly make a commitment and approve their participation. Instructors will be Appollos Baker, AFGE District 4 Legislative and Political Organizer and other staff from the Legislative & Political Department.
The training will take place at AFGE’s 2065 Local Union office, 4124 Gum Branch Road Jacksonville, NC 28540. Classes will be from 1 p.m. till 7:30 p.m. on Friday, On Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 8am to 11am. The LPTI is offered on the weekends because current legislation and political mobilization is the core curriculum and can only be discussed/taught on non-government work time including official time. Registration is on a first come first serve basis, so please register ASAP. Class size is limited. Please register by emailing Appollos.baker@afge.org
The Host Hotel is Home2Suites 139 Circuit Lane Jacksonville, NC 28546. If you are planning on attending the LPTI please contact Appollos Baker by email and he will reserve your room.
MARYLAND
For the US Senate Race in Maryland and D.C. AFL-CIO Interview dates that have been scheduled are as follows:
Richard Douglas (R)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2015 10:00 A.M.
Congresswoman DONNA EDWARDS (D)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015 1:30 P.M.
Congressman CHRIS VAN HOLLEN (D)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015 4:00 P.M.
All interviews will take place at:
Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO
7 SCHOOL STREET
ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401
As in the past, you are invited to attend and participate in these interviews. Your questions must be submitted in writing prior to the beginning of the interview. Seating is limited, and will be designated on a first confirmed basis. Please confirm your attendance by contacting: Denise Riley, (443) 995-6860 or rileyd1@hotmail.com.
Virginia
Saturdays: October 10
and continuing thru Election Day
Labor-to-Labor
Precinct Walks
** Starting Time: 9 am! **
Breakfast provided!!!
Annandale (NoVA Labor office):
4536-B John Marr Drive
(Other locations to be announced later)
Please wear your union shirts, jackets and caps!!!
Phone Banks Mon-Sat
Through Election Day (11/3)!!!
Contact Dolores at NoVA Labor office: 703-750-3633
Legislative and Recess Issues