March 2006

  I hope this letter finds you all doing extremely well. There are a few items that I feel need to be brought to your attention. The Agency, has not taken much action on theses issues and I for one am not waiting for them to become problems for us. The first is the abuse of sick leave. I know that there are supervisors out in the District that allow people to take off any time they feel that they need a day.   I foresee a change in this. Our new District Manager is taking leave abuse very seriously. It can come into play in determining a candidate for promotion. If two inspectors are close in ranking for an open position, the District Office can and will check leave records to determine the one chosen.  I’m not saying that you cannot get sick or use your leave. You just need to be aware that there is a consequence to keeping a low or negative leave balance. If you are out for more than a day and have to see a doctor (for yourself or your children) there is no reason not to give a copy of the receipt to the VMO. This way you will be covered and there should be no claim of leave abuse.

  The second issue is the use of the Government computer. I cannot stress enough, Big Brother is watching. At some point inspectors are going to be disciplined for what they are doing on the computer. I realize this does not affect the line inspectors, but it may in the future. Inspectors using the computer for personal reasons will get caught. The Agency already sends out fake emails just to trick people. There are all types of ways to keep track of what you are looking at, or whom you are emailing. It will be easy to catch. The Agency will have all of the documentation needed to take action. Please do not use the Government computer for personal reasons and definitely do not use it to send union related information. Remember they do not like the union. Please do not give the Agency a reason to take action on you.

  We are going to take a look at how we communicate with our members. I want to make sure that all of you know what is going on at the meetings. I realize that you cannot always attend the meeting, so we need to get this information out. Our web master, Jud Hanson, in Sumter, SC, has set up an email list. All you have to do is sign up and he will send you any pertinent information that we get. We are sending out contract updates as I get them. There is a benefit of the month and other useful things that get sent out. That is not to say that it will ever replace the newsletter. The mailing list will just get out small amounts of info. Fast. You can also sign up for email alerts direct from the National Joint Council by sending an email to: ENews4Inspectors@aol.com and typing the word “add” in the subject box. This will give you much of the information that I get and allow you to be better informed.

  Finally, I have a few words on pay banding. I feel it is not in our best interests. If the Agency and George Bush want it, it must be bad for us. You will see more on this in the Iron Snake and on our website. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this and other issues at the meeting. Until then, take care.

                                                                                Fraternally,

                                                                                Scott Schwartz

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January 2006

 I hope this letter finds you all doing very well. As I write this, I’m filled with some uncertainty. I had planned to write a very different letter from what you will read here. It is my opinion that this is a bit more important. It concerns our futures. It is common knowledge that we are working on our new contract, and I plan to bring you all up to speed on this issue.

 There has been little change in the status of the contact negotiations. We are still in the ground rules negotiation part of this. There are now some negotiating sessions set up, this means that we are making some headway with the Agency. I know there are three main issues that are very important to most of you, they are: Plant representatives, Fridays off/Saturday off, and being paid to get ready for work (donning and doffing). We are going to try to get the first two items included in the contract. The last, has been upheld in a Federal Court for Tyson’s Foods. This will help us in our endeavors. Be assured that we are trying to make sure that these issues and others are included with any contract that is finalized. In that vein, if there are any things that you want to see included in the contract, let me know. If you think that someone else may have asked for it, ask any ways. I would rather get fifty (50) requests for the same thing rather than none asking for it. This is your contract, your future. It is time to take an active role in shaping it. Your Executive Committee can not know what everyone wants included.  I look forward to hearing your ideas.

  I know everyone is hoping for the best as far as the new contract is concerned. We all need to be active in submitting new ideas. As I have said in the past, any idea is a good one. I will submit any and all ideas submitted to me.

  Remember, as always, we are all in this together and cannot win without each other. Together we can be an unstoppable force. I look forward to seeing you all in Sumter SC.

                                                            Fraternally,

                                                            Scott Schwartz

                                                            President Local 2325