White collar federal employees are underpaid on average by about 35 percent compared with the private sector, a widening of the “pay gap” that stood at about 26 percent last year, an advisory group said Friday.
The Federal Salary Council based that number on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that by law are supposed to be used in setting annual General Schedule pay raises that vary by locality. However, in practice federal pay raises are negotiated in the congressional budget process.
Illinois citizens may check to see if they are registered to vote.
The link below will also give you your polling location:
http://www.elections.il.gov/votinginformation/RegistrationLookup.aspx
The Illinois Voter Registration Deadline is on Tuesday, October 9, 2012.
Register to vote anywhere by calling 1-866-698-6831
SSA Bargaining Unit employees should see a increase in their transit cards today as the new ratified contract goes into effect.
Dear Employees,
As you might know, in 2007 the union filed a national level grievance when SSA management improperly implemented the Internal Vacancies on Line program (IVOL) that dramatically changed the way employees put in for vacancies and the way that the applications are scored and how selections are made. AFGE won the arbitration.
Per the Contract if you work a 2 hours of overtime you must have a 3rd break of 10 minutes.
AFGE/SSA NATIONAL AGREEMENT (Contract)
Article 10 -Hours of Work, Flextime, Alternate Work Arrangements and Credit Hours
Section 1 -- Hours of Work
Vision Care—The Agreement between the Union and Management says employees that use a VDT in the course of their official duties can be reimbursed for 100% of the eye examination by an licensed optical practitioner in an amount not to exceed $50.00.
The same employee can be reimbursed up to $175.00 buy the Agency if a licensed optical certifies on the Agency forms that the employee needs the corrective lenses for VDT use. The Agency will reimburse you for eyeglasses or contacts including disposable lenses.
Do you know what a grievance is? Article 24 of the National Agreement between Union and Agency says:
A. by an employee(s) concerning any matter relating to the employment of the employee;
B. by the Union concerning any matter relating to the employment of any employee; or
