(December 10, 2009)

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

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

President’s Briefing:  Days 3 & 4 ~ Contract Negotiations in Orlando, FL

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today is the 4th day of Contract Negotiations at the VA Medical Center in Orlando, Florida. 

We were discussing Article 43, “Local Supplement”.  Management made proposals that would limit negotiations at the local level to only what was addressed in the Master Agreement, and other outrageous proposals that were unacceptable to us.

Some of our proposals were actually discriminatory in nature, in so, much as they want VBA (Labor/Union) to mutually agree to open their Local Supplemental Agreement and for VHA and NCA,  either party may open the (Labor or Union) Local Supplement Agreement, so with these concerns the Union set aside Article 43, “Local Supplement” for third party.

Today, we are currently discussing a new article, Article 62, entitled, ”Counseling”, were VA wants to limit union representation. 

Again, much thanks to Local #559 President, Terrence Watts and the Executive Board.  Their hospitality has been greatly appreciated. 

OBSERVERS:  Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Local 559

Tere Watts, President

James Aldridge, Secretary/Treasurer

OBSERVERS:  Thursday, December 10, 2009

Local 559

Tere Watts, President

James Aldridge, Secretary/Treasurer

Local 548

Tatishka Thomas, President

Veronica Vann, Secretary-Treasurer

Stay tuned…