In Other News
Career Matters
August 17, 2011. AFGE Local 476 and HUD management reached an agreement on reclassifying Legal Technicians as Legal Assistants to provide them with more upward mobility potential. Read more.
May 25, 2011. Local 476 filed a Demand to Bargain in an effort to establish a pilot Personnel Clearinghouse program for HUD Headquarters and Washington, D.C., field office employees. The Clearinghouse will help succession planning, improve workforce flexibility, and create a partnership between employees and management. Local Supplement 51 requires the establishment of the pilot Clearinghouse program in partial settlement of an Unfair Labor Practice complaint that Local 476 had filed with the FLRA against HUD. Read more.
January 10, 2011 - Emerging Professionals Program
September 13, 2010 - Employee Satisfaction Survey & Updates
Fitness Center
AFGE Local 476 filed a Demand to Bargain over employee fitness programs at HUD in 2007. Most recently, Local 476 signed a local supplement with HUD that permits employees to use the Capitol View Building fitness center without charge while they are temporarily reassigned to the Capitol View Building during the Headquarters renovations.
Metro Subsidy
The DC-area Metro subsidy rules changed on January 1, 2011. The maximum transit benefit allowed by federal law dropped from $230 to $120. Additionally, employees can no longer use their transit and parking benefits interchangeably due to an IRS mandate that requires a separation of the two accounts for individuals. On April 7, 2011, Eddie Eitches filed on behalf of Council 222 of HUD Locals a Demand to Bargain to allow bargaining unit employees to use transit subsidy money for parking at Metro or commuter lots on official workdays. Read more.
See the press release related to this change and other documents related to the Metro subsidy below.
Relocations & Work Space
August 11, 2011. Local 476 filed a Demand to Bargain for Employees Relocated to Portals Building and a request for information in response to OGC's August 4, 2011, notice concerning moving OGC bargaining unit staff to the of the Portals Building. Read more.
August 4, 2011. Local 476 and HUD Management signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding configuration of PD&R's office space. The agreement resolves an Unfair Labor Practice complaint that the Local had filed against the Department. Read more. Read President Eddie Eitches' announcement to the Local's membership.
May 3, 2011. In response to PIH-REAC's initiation of moving bargaining unit personnel to the Potomac Office Center, AFGE Local 476 has filed a new Demand to Bargain. Read more.
March 2011. Three months after the FLRA imposed a Settlement Agreement on the Department, HUD finally complies with the terms. The Local had fought to preserve the rights of bargaining unit employees in PD&R when Management tried to change working conditions without bargaining. The Settlement Agreement requires HUD to post notices to employees promising to negotiate in good faith with Local 476 over proposals that may adversely affect bargaining unit employees by relocatiing work areas.
March 11, 2011. In response to Local 476's strong advocacy on behalf of the Bargaining Unit, HUD agreed to the following terms regarding occupancy of the Capitol View Building, which will be used as temporary office space during renovations to the Headquarters Building:
- Same size workstations for all personnel
- Shuttle bus service between the Capitol View and HQ Buildings
- Use of Capitol View Building fitness center without charge
- Maximum flexibility in work schedules for employees at Capitol View
Management also agreed to bargain with Local 476 regarding implementation of a Personnel Clearinghouse pilot program. Read more.
March 9 & 11, 2011. Local 476 Demands to Bargain over HUD's unilateral plans to return bargaining unit employees to the recently flooded spaces of the Potomac Office Center. Union leadership has become increasingly concerned that HUD management is not bargaining in good faith on the re-seating plan for the Potomac Office Center and that management is ignoring health and safety for the sake of expediency. See the March 9 and the March 11 Demands to Bargain.
January 24, 2011 - Local 476 Files Demand to Bargain Regarding Relocation of REAC staff.
November 23, 2010 - Local 476 files Charge Against HUD over Headquarters Renovation and Construction Project
Security
Local 476 successfully fought to eliminate the requirement that HUD employees pass through a magnetometer upon entering the building. In July 2009, Local 476 signed an agreement with management establishing new entrance procedures for HUD employees with valid IDs. See the Local Supplement.
The Union and HUD have also signed a supplement related to the implementation of Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards.
Student Loans
Below are the most recent Supplements and other documents regarding HUD's Student Loan Repayment Program.
- Supplement on Student Loan Repayment for 2009
- MOU on Student Loan Repayment for 2006
- Supplement on Student Loan Repayment for 2004 (National Supplement 55)
- Demand to Bargain on Student Loan Repayment Program -- February 2002
Past News:
AFGE President John Gage affirms right of Local 476 to negotiate with HUD on behalf of DC HUD workers
Establishment of the Office of the DAS for Risk Management and Regulatory Affairs
Establishment of the Office of Sustainable Housing & Communities
OGC Reorganization - Supplement & MOU
Eddie Eitches wins AFGE's Highest Award
United we Serve Initiative (Volunteerism)
Union/HUD Volunteerism Negotiated Agreement (2 hours per pay period)
Local 476 President Eddie Eitches and HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan