March 9, 2001

It was more than 400 NTEU members from across the nation gathered in Washington, DC the week of February 25-28 for the 2001 Legislative Conference, visits to discuss NTEU's priority issues for the 107th Congress.

The highlighting this year's conference was a "Rally For Fair Pay" on Capitol Hill. Several members of Congress joined with NTEU members in calling for closing the pay gap between the Federal and private sectors and for pay parity between military and civilian federal workers. Attendees: Paul Sarbanes, Senator, of MD, Eleanor Holmes Norton, of DC (Delegate), Steny H. Hoyer, House of Rep. of MD, and Constance A. Morella, Representative of MD.

The Capitol Square meeting was one on one with Senators and Representatives and or other Staff on issues of Federal Pay, Federal Employees Health Insurance, Contracting out Federal Jobs, IRS Restructuring and Section 1203, and Customs Service Funding. We attended the Capitol Building different Sections: Long Worth House Office, Rayburn, Hart Senate Office, Dirksen Senate Office, Cannon House office, and United States Capitol Building the House Wing. Gloria Spriggs, Vice President of NTEU local 201 and I met each delegates on time by riding on the Senators private metro train.

Issue on affordable Health Care for Federal Employees, the Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) provides coverage to nine million federal employees, retirees and their families. Premiums in the FEHBP increased an average of 10.5% this year, 9.3% last year and 9.5% the before. Employees have absorbed an unacceptably high percentage of these premium increases, forcing many to forgo health coverage. Federal employees pay 28% of FEHBP premiums; an average of $131 each month for single coverage and $300 monthly for family coverage. These amounts are often more than double the premiums paid by local and state government and private sector employees.

Find out more about NTEU's Legislative Program at your Chapter office.

ONCE AGAIN WE'VE GOT ISSUES!

Higher Pay For Federal Workers.
Lower Health Care Costs.
An End to Contracting out Federal Jobs.
Repeal of an Unfair Law Targeting IRS Employees.
The Importance of Adequate Funding for your Agency.

WORKSHOPS FOR LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE:

On Monday, February 26, 2001 one of our KEYNOTE SPEAKERS was Paul H. O'Neill, Secretary of the Treasury. Mr. O'Neill raised the following three questions, the answered should be "YES".

  1. Are you treated with Dignity and Respect by each person you interact with each day?
  2. Are you given an opportunity to contribute to the meaning/ purpose of your work? (Is work life meaningful and am I encouraged to contribute to affect positive change).
  3. Am I Praised/Acknowledged daily for my work/contributions?



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NTEU, Local 201
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