Talks And FMCS

Well this round of talks has come to and end. I must tell you that it looked like we were finishing up. We thought for sure that the management of the site would actually want to work together. But, they stopped on four artciles. They want the right to hold written admonishments to employees for two years. We feel that they should helpd for 6 months. They actually came down to 18 months and wouldn't budge. This put the staff in a terrible place. One m,istake, one screw up, and they have something in their files for two years?! Pretty bad. There was alsoa leave issue. Managment wants the right to call back staff on an emergency (no problem) and an "urgent operating need." Now, just what the hell, is an "urgent operating need" if it isn't an emergency? Lost us there. They never really anwsered the question. That issue was also tabled. We also tabled two other sentences that has to be do with discipline and leave.

The issue however was the ULP. Yes, it has been a while since the policy was intiated. And the Union officers did not do anything. Yes, my predcessors were wrong in that regard. We wanted to the managment to rescind the policy and, as a result we call off teh ULP. They refused. To remind you, if anybody reads this, our ULP was about the Managment policy of sending a known diabetic to the Doctor's every six months to prove to the employer that the employee still has diabetes. Of course there has been no cure. So the whole thing is absolute bullshit. The fact of the matter is, is that the employee's boss doesn't like him. They have never liked each other at all. That does not justify what they are doing. Oh, by the way, they aren't doing this site wide. Only to this, and one other gujy, who both have reasonable accomodation and light duty because they are diabetic. There are other employees who are diabetic as well as diabled, and they have never recieved a note from managment. Our National Rep, a brilliant guy who thinks with cool calculation spoke with passion and logic yesterday. He tried, however, to reach across the isle. They weren't buying it. This Federal Institution is not a supporter of disabled people who need help. I wish to God I could name the place I work for.

As a result, we will be seeking Federal mediation. Click on the title of the entry for the FMCS. It isn't something we want to do, but we will. because it is right. The supe doesn't want to work together. Well, we will do what we have to to protect the staff.