(September 6, 2005)

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: Hurricane Katrina Update

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Work Status

Employees, who are unable to report to their work site due to its inaccessibility, will be placed on "excused absence" and will be paid using an alternate payroll processing procedure. Pay computations for the next pay check will be done at the straight 40-hour daytime rate.

Other employees will receive pay for their normal or average biweekly hours at the daytime rate while the alternate procedures are in place.

Employees, who are willing and able to work, may wish to contact another VA facility to offer their services. If so, please provide the following information:

· Name
· Position title
· Facility location (original); and
· Contact number

Gaining facilities can verify their licensure/certification/registration by checking with the state licensing board, in most cases on the internet.

To inform Central Office when regular employees from another facility report for work, or for further information, contact Joleen Clark at 1-888-766-2474.

Getting Paid

Employees who need VA to redirect the September 9th direct deposit to another bank or September 13th paper check to another location may call the VA Financial Services Center at (512) 460-5235 or 1-866-372-1142 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central Time from Friday, September 2nd, through Monday, September 5th and provide the new information.

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To update information for direct deposit or paper checks for a future pay day, use Employee Express (www.employeeexpress.gov <http://www.employeeexpress.gov> or 1-800-414-5272) or call the VA Financial Services Center at (512) 460-5235.

All VA employees in the affected area who receive paper checks via the mail will have their checks delivered to the Agent Cashier at the Financial. Services Center in Austin, Texas.

Employees who need to request a replacement check for any reason may call the Financial Services Center at (512) 560-5235 or 1-866-372-1142.

Beginning today, employees may call the Health Revenue Center (HRC) at 1-866-233-0152 to receive information regarding verification of employment and benefits for 3rd parties and to make any changes that they would usually make through Employee Express. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST.