Wins for BUEs, Return to the Office, Phase 3, Steward Skill Share Events & More Inside
Union Corner Updates
Mike Black will temporarily be filling in for Genevieve as President while she is out on leave.
The Union in collaboration meets weekly with HR to discuss topics such as grievances, information requests, appeals to return to the office, and collective bargaining
Union Membership continues to have a steady increase. If you are interested, please reach out to a steward for more information.
Let's celebrate each other! Happy Public Service Recognition Week!
Check out the newest page on our website: The Opportunities page
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Return to the Office
The Union wants to clarify that in the FAQs about Remote Work, posted by ELR, Question 9 has been corrected.
We thank the Remote/Telework committee that has been working diligently to secure this update. As well as all of the work this committee has done to push back against unfair policies and suggestions around Remote/Telework at Peace Corps.
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JLMC Review & Summary
Notes from this meeting will be shared in next month’s newsletter. The meeting is scheduled for May 10th.
JLMC stands for Joint Management and Labor Committee. These meetings are held quarterly and the agenda and facilitation of meetings rotate.
To review past meeting notes, please review the Union folder, or go here.
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Steward Team Updates
The stewarding team has been working on addressing appeals to ELR about returning to the office. If you need more flexibility before you can return to the office. Please submit an official appeal using ELR's form. Once you've submitted this form, please also notify the union, so that we can continue to review the process and timeline of appeals.
ELR and the Union have been making small steps toward building a more collaborative environment. We currently are working on 9 grievances, 1 Arbitration, and 3 information requests.
One steward also attend Federal Labor Relations Authority training and shared out about the training during our weekly meetings
Here is your steward team and for inquiries or questions, submit them here.
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Get involved in your Union: We are Stronger Together!
Union Weekly Lunch Meetings
The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend?
Email Us
Contact The Union
Concerned your rights may have been violated or have a question about what your rights are? Reach out to a Union steward or join us during our Thursday office hours (12:00-1:00pm EST)!
Dues-Paying Member
Want to become a dues-paying Union member?
Join Us
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Membership Drive: Join the Union and become an active part of our growing team!
As staff return to the office, we encourage you to become familiar with the rights that are outlined in the CBA. We also encourage you to become a dues-paying member of the Peace Corps union. Your contributions will go to trainings, cases, office necessities, etc. You can ask for more information about this option during any office hours on Thursday.
Come meet members of the steward’s team and learn more about the many committees we have currently. We'd love to have your voice and perspectives as we create change here at Peace Corps.
Please also send in any concerns or recommendations to the union.
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Volunteer Opportunities & Upcoming Events
The first event in the Work-Life Balance series happened on April 28th. The session reviewed and discussed boundaries and how to set them in your life. The next event is a collaboration with HR in preparation for the Mid-Year Review. Review the PowerPoint at any time for more details
Consider Coaching at Peace Corps, to participate contact OSLD, or learn more by reviewing the SharePoint page linked here.
-available to all staff here at Peace Corps but supervisory approval is needed
Overtime pay vs. Credit Hours - What's the policy and what have you heard around your office.
Review the policies by checking out the Peace Corps Manuel. Section 625: Premium Pay and Compensatory Time.
Upcoming Union Events
Prep for Mid-Year Review - May TBD
May Day Event - May TBD
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Policies Changes & Updates
The remote work agreement was due to HR by April 25th. If you're in VRS there was an extension granted to May 9th.
Remote Work Procedures
Remote Work Appeal Form
Telework Agreement
Amendments to MS 262 Peace Corps Medical Services Program
Amendments to Technology Advisory Board Charter
MS 261 Medical Offices and Peace Corps Medical Officers
New MS 624 Hiring Individuals with Disabilities
MS 240 Immunity from Disciplinary Action in Sexual Assault and Stalking Incidents
MS 652 Corrective and Adverse Actions
IPS 4-21 Peace Corps Overseas Post Operations during COVID-19 Response and Recovery
MS 340 Opening a Post
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Things Coming Up
Mid-Year Review- Skill Share in collaboration with HR
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Resources & Events Suggestions from other BUEs to consider
Everything you need to know about free college
OPM free webinar event in celebration of Public Service Recognition Week
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Please ensure your Union activities take place during non-duty hours, such as before or after work or during lunch. See Articles 6 and 22 in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
AFSCME LOCAL 3548
Return To The Office, New Chief Steward, & Upcoming Events
Peace Corps Union
Hello Peace Corps Union members!
We hope you are all keeping safe and healthy. We’ve heard your concerns about Return to the Office and have been diligently working behind the scenes to have your concerns addressed.
Things Coming Up……..
Hello Peace Corps Union members!
We hope you are all keeping safe and healthy. We’ve heard your concerns about Return to the Office and have been diligently working behind the scenes to have your concerns addressed.
Things Coming Up……..
- Constitution update and call for official vote by BUE's upcoming
- A huge kudos to all of our Bargaining Unit Employees who have worked on making return to service a possibility.
New Chief Steward Election Held
Mathew Crichton is transitioning out of the Peace Corps agency for his next career move. Nominations were held on March 22nd and three people have been nominated from the steward team to serve as interim Chief Steward. A vote was held on March 29th to appoint a new interim Chief Steward. The reveal can be found on the steward's page. Congratulations to the new Chief Steward!
Check it out here!
Nominated Stewards: Michael B, Ryan H, or Alixandria W
Mathew Crichton is transitioning out of the Peace Corps agency for his next career move. Nominations were held on March 22nd and three people have been nominated from the steward team to serve as interim Chief Steward. A vote was held on March 29th to appoint a new interim Chief Steward. The reveal can be found on the steward's page. Congratulations to the new Chief Steward!
Check it out here!
Nominated Stewards: Michael B, Ryan H, or Alixandria W
Union Steward Team Updates
The steward team is currently working on various cases and working towards resolving them with the Employee Labor Relations Team. It's been a tough road but stewards have continued to advocate and push for positive resolutions. We remain committed in advocating for BUE’s as issues arise. The steward team is in transition to a new interim Chief Steward. Please send congratulations to Mathew Crichton as he transitions to his new role outside the Peace Corps agency. We will miss him, but congratulate him on his next position.
Seven union stewards attended AFSCME steward training during the last two weeks. Upon completion they will receive an official certificate from AFSCME.
Here is your steward team and for inquires or questions, submit here.
The steward team is currently working on various cases and working towards resolving them with the Employee Labor Relations Team. It's been a tough road but stewards have continued to advocate and push for positive resolutions. We remain committed in advocating for BUE’s as issues arise. The steward team is in transition to a new interim Chief Steward. Please send congratulations to Mathew Crichton as he transitions to his new role outside the Peace Corps agency. We will miss him, but congratulate him on his next position.
Seven union stewards attended AFSCME steward training during the last two weeks. Upon completion they will receive an official certificate from AFSCME.
Here is your steward team and for inquires or questions, submit here.
Return to the Office
Return to work is right around the corner and fast approaching. Return to the office Phase 2 is April 11th and Phase 3 is April 25th. If you have any questions about returning to work or issue that needs to be addressed. Please reach out the Peace Corps Union steward team. It is also important to begin letting supervisors know that you will need additional time to return back to the office. Reminder: It is better to get things in writing than verbal agreements.
Appeals Form
To initiate this process, please document the concern with your supervisor in writing and email ELR at employeerelations@peacecorps.gov and include the Union inbox. If you have questions or need guidance about the appeals process as it relates to this change in your working conditions, please contact the Union
Remote Work Program
The Remote Work Agreement has been released. Please read through the agreement form. If you have questions or need guidance, continue to contact your Union.
Remote Work Administrative Review Form
Remote Work Agreement Form
Return to work is right around the corner and fast approaching. Return to the office Phase 2 is April 11th and Phase 3 is April 25th. If you have any questions about returning to work or issue that needs to be addressed. Please reach out the Peace Corps Union steward team. It is also important to begin letting supervisors know that you will need additional time to return back to the office. Reminder: It is better to get things in writing than verbal agreements.
Appeals Form
To initiate this process, please document the concern with your supervisor in writing and email ELR at employeerelations@peacecorps.gov and include the Union inbox. If you have questions or need guidance about the appeals process as it relates to this change in your working conditions, please contact the Union
Remote Work Program
The Remote Work Agreement has been released. Please read through the agreement form. If you have questions or need guidance, continue to contact your Union.
Remote Work Administrative Review Form
Remote Work Agreement Form
Volunteer Opportunities & Upcoming Events
The Evacuation Stories event was held on March 17th during Union Office Hours. Many members came together to listen, share, and be in the moment together as we discussed difficult moments. We heard stories from various places around the world highlighting what evacuation felt like to for volunteers at post. From Mongolia to the Philipines, and various other places. If you enjoyed this event or missed it, we encourage you to place a hold for some of our upcoming events in your calendar today!
Upcoming Union Events
Work- Life Balance - April TBD
Prep for Mid-Year Review - May TBD
May Day Event - May TBD
The Evacuation Stories event was held on March 17th during Union Office Hours. Many members came together to listen, share, and be in the moment together as we discussed difficult moments. We heard stories from various places around the world highlighting what evacuation felt like to for volunteers at post. From Mongolia to the Philipines, and various other places. If you enjoyed this event or missed it, we encourage you to place a hold for some of our upcoming events in your calendar today!
Upcoming Union Events
Work- Life Balance - April TBD
Prep for Mid-Year Review - May TBD
May Day Event - May TBD
MS Policy Changes & Updates
Remote Work Agreement Form
Remote Work Administrative Review Form
Telework Agreement
Amendments to MS 262 Peace Corps Medical Services Program
Amendments to Technology Advisory Board Charter
MS 261 Medical Offices and Peace Corps Medical Officers
New MS 624 Hiring Individuals with Disabilities
MS 240 Immunity from Disciplinary Action in Sexual Assault and Stalking Incidents
MS 652 Corrective and Adverse Actions
IPS 4-21 Peace Corps Overseas Post Operations during COVID-19 Response and Recovery
MS 340 Opening a Post
Remote Work Agreement Form
Remote Work Administrative Review Form
Telework Agreement
Amendments to MS 262 Peace Corps Medical Services Program
Amendments to Technology Advisory Board Charter
MS 261 Medical Offices and Peace Corps Medical Officers
New MS 624 Hiring Individuals with Disabilities
MS 240 Immunity from Disciplinary Action in Sexual Assault and Stalking Incidents
MS 652 Corrective and Adverse Actions
IPS 4-21 Peace Corps Overseas Post Operations during COVID-19 Response and Recovery
MS 340 Opening a Post
Return to the Union Weekly Lunch Meetings
The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend?
The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend?
| Contact the Union Concerned your rights may have been violated or have a question about what your rights are? Reach out to a Union steward or join us during our Thursday office hours (12:00-1:00pm EST)! | Dues-Paying Member Want to become a dues-paying Union member? |
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.
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