(December 11, 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

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President’s Briefing:  Last Day ~ Contract Negotiations in Orlando, FL

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Today is the last day of Contract Negotiations at the VA Medical Center in Orlando, Florida for 2009. 

Management set the new Article 62, entitled “Counseling” aside for third party.  We are currently discussing Article 42, “Grievance Procedure”, and DO NOT expect resolution to this Article.  We also expect Management to set aside all other Articles that remain to be negotiated.  This session ends 6 ˝ years of negotiations. 

The following 30 Articles remain to be negotiated:

Preamble, Articles 10, 35, 38, 39, 66, 76, 42, 47, 49, 50, 70, 77, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 61, 63, 64, 65, 73, 74, 75, 78 and 79.

The following 19 articles have been set aside for third party:

Articles 20, 9, 13, 13a, 19, 24, 28, 44, 48, 56, 29, 4, 17, 23, 25, 46, 40, 43 and 62.

The following 25 Articles have been initialed and rolled over:

Articles 1, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 2, 21, 26, 27, 3, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 41, 5, 6, 60, 7, 72 and 8.

Again, much thanks to Local #559 President, Terrence Watts and the Executive Board.   They have treated us like royalty this session and we greatly appreciate their hospitality.

OBSERVERS:  Friday, December 11, 2009

Local 559

Tere Watts, President

James Aldridge, Secretary-Treasurer

Local 548

Tatishka Thomas, President

Veronica Vann, Secretary-Treasurer

L2779

Robert Van Slyke, President