In
order to further improve the lines of communication and to respond to the
concerns between the National VA Council and you our members, I have established
a National VA Council Briefing. This NVAC Briefing will bring you the latest
news and developments within DVA and provide you with the current status of
issues this Council is currently addressing. I believe that this NVAC Briefing
will greatly enhance the way in which we communicate and the way in which we
share new information, keeping you better informed.
Alma
L. Lee
National VA Council, President
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In This Briefing: AFGE/NVAC
and VA Sign New Collective Bargaining Agreement
WASHINGTON,
DC – Officials from the
American Federation of Government Employees/National Veterans Affairs Council
and the Department of Veterans Affairs signed a new national collective
bargaining agreement, covering more than 200,000 bargaining unit employees on
Monday, March 28, 2011.
The new master
agreement strengthens AFGE/NVAC’s working relationship and partnership with VA
and enhances working conditions for VA employees.
“This is a
morale booster for our employees. A good contract behind our workers gives them
the incentive to do their best work,” AFGE National President John Gage said.
Alma L.
Lee, President of the National VA Council, said the new master
agreement will ensure a working environment in which employees can focus on
providing world-class service to our nation’s veterans.
“This master
agreement is on the cutting edge of technology and incorporates wellness,
telework, partnership and many other initiatives designed to make the Department
of Veterans Affairs an employer of choice,” Lee said during the signing
ceremony at the VA headquarters in Washington. The signing was broadcast
nationwide on the VA broadcasting system. President
Lee also stated, “We are planning a massive training program, to be developed
and delivered jointly”.
The new master
agreement replaces the previous contract signed in 1997. Highlights of the new
contract are provisions that:
·
Expand opportunities for VA employees to
telework, making it easier to balance work-life issues and improving employee
morale.
·
Add protections to health care workers
who are exposed to on-the-job hazards while treating wounded warriors.
·
Provide for a clearer understanding of
employee rights and protections under Title 38.
·
Call for creating new training program
for employees to learn new skills, obtain new certifications and advance in
their careers