From the Desk of the President Unbelievable!!! Is what we felt when we read the Commissioners message. Below is from Colleen; TO: IRS Chapter Presidents RE: IRS Message to Employees re: Commissioner Awards Since I first received this message from the IRS at 12:01 today, I have been in a series of exchanges with the IRS over NTEUs concern/reaction to it. Briefly, I have identified to the IRS the following as the short list of issues this message has triggered: ***Frontline BU employees were due their earned FY14 awards two weeks ago. They want to hear they will be receiving their FY14 earned awards before 12/31/14. ***The NTEU Suggestion Awards article in our collective bargaining agreement defines the way for employees to make suggestions and to receive a portion of the savings from their suggestions. No mention of that in the awards message. ***Per the IRS list of awards linked to the employee message is an award to the National Agreement Negotiations Team who successfully negotiated a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with NTEU. I think the IRS should know this, but I have clarified for them that their team who they rewarded has NOT successfully negotiatiated a new agreement with NTEU. Those negotiations are at impasse. The current 2012 agreement remains in effect. I know many of you are outraged that even IF there were a new agreement, that the IRS recognizes only the management team, and not the NTEU team. Regardless of whether the management team deserves an award, historically the IRS only recognizes the management team. I tell you that not because I think it is ok -- it takes two to negotiate and reach agreements. I only tell you that from a historical perspective. The last time a Commissioner recognized the NTEU bargaining team was Commissioner Rossotti when we worked in partnership, and bargained the IRS reorganization. I know that you too are angry/furious/frustrated/annoyed/offended/outraged or any other combination of emotions. I can assure you all of that has been relayed to the IRS. And none of that will distract us from continuing our work on behalf of employees: ---to get employees paid the FY14 awards they have earned sooner rather than later --- to enforce the current collective bargaining agreement --- and the NTEU term bargaining team will continue its work on the bargaining issues at impasse and someday, we will have a new collective bargaining agreement. Tony and I will be meeting with the IRS next week on all of these issues. I will keep you informed on all of these matters, of course. Colleen M. Kelley National President
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 23:36:21 +0000
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