As we pass the one-year mark since the global evacuation of Peace Corps Volunteers, we also keep in mind all of the amazing work Peace Corps employees have been doing from their homes during this time.
 
Recently, we were able to support the placement team in ensuring they had the technology resources they need to do their jobs from home. The Union raised employee concerns with management, and as a result all placement team members will be receiving organization-provided cell phones to facilitate their work.
 
If we might be able to help advocate for you or your colleagues, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at union@peacecorps.gov. 

As noted in HR’s March 2021 email sent out on 3/11, you are eligible to request administrative leave to get vaccinated during working hours:
Peace Corps U.S. Direct Hire employees can use up to four hours of administrative leave per dose – for a total of eight hours of administrative leave for two Covid-19 vaccinations. 
Note that advance approval is required. You should reach out to HR or your supervisor with any specific questions you might have.

The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend?

​Hello Peace Corps Union members! As the annual employee appraisal process wraps up, we want to hear your thoughts so we can better advocate for everyone in our conversations with HR. Please take this anonymous 1 question survey to let the Union know if you are satisfied with the current annual review process.
 
Do you have specific questions or concerns regarding your own annual review that you want to discuss with a union representative? Please contact us at union@peacecorps.gov or drop by our Thursday office hours between 12-1pm EST.

The Union has been working towards improvements and standardization in order to better serve you. We are looking for interested members who can spare 1-2 hours a week (possibly less) to help working groups on: events/training, recruitment, democratization, improving our constitution, and other relevant issues. Most working groups should be complete within 1-3 months, with a possibility for extension based on need.
If you are interested or would like more information, please contact union@peacecorps.gov with subject line “Working Group – Help Wanted”. 

​The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend? 

​Hello Peace Corps Union members! As we all go through the annual review process, please keep in mind that you have rights regarding your appraisal, which are listed in Article 15 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
 
In particular, take a look at Section C – per our CBA, appraising performance is an ongoing process, so any performance deficiencies noted in the year-end review should not be a surprise – you should have received feedback in advance.
 
Additionally, you can review the section on performance appraisals in the Peace Corps Manual issued by OHR here.
 
If you have questions about the review process or are concerned your rights may have been violated, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Union for support. 

AFSCME, the international parent union that our union is part of, offers a number of benefits to dues-paying union members, including:

• College scholarships (for union members & their families)
• Free training and professional development
• And more

 
Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you might have. You can sign up to become a dues-paying member here.

The Union Executive Board meets with the organization’s OHR leadership quarterly to discuss issues relevant to Peace Corps employees. The minutes from the latest JLMC meeting on 12/17 are attached below.
 
Topics covered included:

• COVID-19 return to the office updates
• Conflict resolution between employees and their supervisors
• The upcoming administration transition
• Online resources for employees

​The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend? 

 Updated Website
 
Happy holidays! We wish everyone a relaxing holiday season as this year winds down.
 
The Collective Bargaining Agreement section on the union website has been updated with a collapsible table of contents to enable you to easily look up relevant information. The CBA is your contract with Peace Corps management, and we encourage you to use this easily-searchable resource to learn more about your rights as a unionized Peace Corps employee.
 
Looking for an overview of unions in general, or the history of the union you’re a part of? Check out this new section of the website here.

Union Retreat
 
Union leadership and stewards recently held a workshop to brainstorm ways the Union could better serve you. We invite you to share your ideas on the following by emailing the union:
 

• What training opportunities can we offer to Bargaining Unit employees? (that means you!)
• How can we empower everyone to have a voice in our Union?
• How can we bring in new members to ensure the Union’s crucial support for employees grows and continues despite Peace Corps’ turnover?
• What improvements could strengthen our Collective Bargaining Agreement and Constitution so the Union is well-positioned to advocate for employee rights in today’s work environment?

Union Weekly Lunch Meetings
The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend? 

Hello Peace Corps Union members! As we approach the end of the calendar year, we want to take a moment to highlight your rights to leave, which are guaranteed in Article 9 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
 
Make sure to check your annual leave accrual, because any annual leave in excess of 240 hours will be lost at the end of the year.
 
While we encourage all employees to take the time off that they have earned, if you have excess leave that will be lost, you can show solidarity towards your fellow workers by donating a few hours through the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program.

​Did you know that the Peace Corps authorizes 52 hours of leave every year for employees to volunteer at activities of your choice?
 
The request form for your supervisor is linked below, and more information about the program is available from OHR here.

From the CBA: Sick leave will be granted when an employee…is required to give care and attendance to a member of the immediate family who is afflicted with a contagious disease, or would jeopardize the health of others by presence at the duty station because of exposure to a contagious disease

We very much hope you and your family are staying healthy and safe, but you are entitled to take sick leave if you need to care for a family member, whether as a result of COVID or something else. See Article 9, Sections B and C of the CBA for further details.
​
Additionally, the CARES Act entitles all federal employees to 80 hours of additional sick leave before December 31 if you or someone you care for is under a quarantine order – see page 2 of this FAQ from OHR.

​The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend? 

Staying Safe During HQ Reopening 
Peace Corps has entered Phase 1 of reopening our HQ, but the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage. OHR has issued guidance that at this point in time, no one should be in the office unless directed by an A-Delegate or Office Director.
 
If you believe you have been asked to return to the office unnecessarily, or if you feel that your work conditions are in any way unsafe, please reach out to the Union so we can contact OHR on your behalf.

Joint Labor-Management Committee Meeting
 
The Union Executive Board meets with the organization’s OHR leadership quarterly to discuss issues relevant to Peace Corps employees. The minutes from the latest JLMC meeting on 9/24 are attached below.
 
Topics covered included:

• COVID-19 return to the office updates
• Delayed career ladder promotions
• Social Security tax withholding issues
• Diversity and training initiatives

​

Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey
The FEVS is an important opportunity to give constructive feedback on job, supervisor, leadership, work space, and more. Please take some time to complete this survey when you have the chance this week.
You should have received a personal link to the survey, but if you cannot find it, you can email George Otis in OHR. 

Union Weekly Lunch Meetings
The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend? 

Hello Peace Corps Union members!
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. Initially created and promoted by American trade unions, it constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
 
We at the Peace Corps Union very much hope you enjoyed your Labor Day weekend!

It's Time To Nominate & Elect Your Union Reps!
​Nominations for the election are still open until Friday, 9/11 COB. Please submit your nominations for the following positions by emailing union@peacecorps.gov: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Board, Trustee, Steward. *Nominees must accept nomination to be elected, and be dues-paying members.
 
Elections will take place September 15-18, and you must be a dues-paying member to vote. If you are not a dues paying member and would like to participate or be nominated, please fill out the form by selecting the Join Us button below. 

Time In Grade More Than 52 Weeks And Not At The Next Step? 
For staff who are eligible for career ladder promotions (i.e. you have been in your current grade for 52 weeks or more), you should have already had a conversation with your supervisor to discuss your promotion. Staff should be having continuous conversations with their supervisors to define processes and expectations for ladder promotions. Ordinarily, career ladder promotions should occur after the employee has fulfilled one year in position.

​Please ensure your Union activities take place during non-duty hours, such as before or after work or during lunch. See Article 6 and 22 in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

Hello Peace Corps Union members!
We hope you are all keeping safe and healthy, and finding some socially-distant ways to enjoy this summer. 

Wins for the Union
At the urging of the Union, Peace Corps General Counsel recently sent out guidance for employees regarding your rights as a federal employee to participate in the ongoing protests for racial justice in America. That guidance has been attached here for your reference. In short – yes, you are able to participate in peaceful protests outside of work. You also have the right to respectfully discuss these issues at work.
 
Note the following comments from General Counsel:
The current protests do not, in and of themselves, amount to partisan political activity as defined by the Hatch Act.  Peace Corps employees are permitted to engage in peaceful demonstrations while off duty, away from the Federal workplace, and without attribution to the Peace Corps.  Employees may also engage in respectful, non-partisan conversations about the substance of the protests while on duty so long as those conversations are respectful and do not include statements directed at the success or failure of a candidate, political party or partisan political group.

Union Weekly Lunch Meetings
The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend? Email Us