(April 8, 2011)

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

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In This Briefing:   New Master Agreement 2011  

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As you know, the new Master Agreement was signed last month and has been in effect since March 15.  I am please to let you know that an electronic version of the Master Agreement is now on the Council’s website, www.afgenvac.org, in the upper right hand section of the homepage.  Directly below that is a list of the changes from the 1997 agreement to the final version of the 2011 agreement.  Due to the size of the document please allow approximately 15 minutes to download. 

Under the provisions of the Master Agreement, VA is required to provide all bargaining unit employees with a booklet (printed) copy of the Master Agreement.  In addition, each local is to be provided with an additional 20 copies of the Master Agreement.  (See Article 49, Sections 12 A and B).  The process of printing over 200,000 copies of the Master Agreement needed to meet this requirement is being done.  The official books will have to be printed.  We will ensure the copies are sent as soon as we get notice they are ready for distribution. 

We are also in the process of developing regional training, to be offered during the summer, at the VISN, VBA, and Area level.  More details on this training will be forthcoming. 

 We appreciate all your support and understanding as we move through the process of implementing the new Master Agreement. 

NOTE:  Please allow time to download the file on our webpage (afgenvac.org), due to the size of the document, it may take up to 15 minutes.  We apologize for this inconvenience.  Once the final is printed and sent out, this will be corrected.