USARC HQ PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL MINUTES
10 December 2003
Holiday Inn Airport North, East Point, Georgia
CALL TO ORDER
USARC Partnership
Council Members present: Mr. Glen
Rodman Jr., Mr John Esposito, Mr. Michael McDonnell, Mr. Donald Stumpff Jr.,
Mr. Billy Thomas, Mr. William Schimek, and Mr. Ken Williamson. Mr. Robert Cannon and Ms. Melitta Williams
assisted with the arrangements for the meeting and took the minutes.
Mr. Rodman called the
meeting to order.
Minutes of previous
meeting were reviewed and approved.
OLD BUSINESS
Tasker 0300-01, PPP registration. Mr. Thomas briefed
the topic and reported no change. This tasker remains open.
Transformation of Installation Management (TIM) - now called
Installation Management Agency (IMA). Mr. Williamson briefed this topic. IMA stood up October 2002.
USARC HQ had 11 or 12 affected positions. Transfer of Function notification letters went out in September
2003 to impacted employees. Recommendations to be presented to CG in January
2004. An option - include Fort Dix,
Fort McCoy, Fort Buchanan and mention of Fort Hunter-Liggett as USAR posts that
could align Reserve Centers with IMA regions.
Mr. Williamson indicated that there will not be any transfers of
MilTechs to IMA, but DAC and AGR may be transferred. Although some
functions/positions currently designated as MT may, in fact, transition. Authorizations for these positions will
remain with commands. He assured that all
proper notifications to employees/labor organizations and all requirements under
law will be timely sent when final decisions are made. He indicated that
changes impacting RRC employees are not expected to occur until FY05. IMA is a contentious issue.
This issue remains open.
Perception of inequity with military promotions. Mr. Thomas stated
that LTG Helmly requested changes regarding promotion of mobilized
Soldiers. This issue remains
opened.
Status of current transitions to RRC. Changes were implemented 16
July 2003. CXO is now DMS, and O6 Senior Liaison is now Deputy Commander for
Readiness. USARC is currently drafting an FTS/TPU TDA. LTG Helmly
has not made a decision on the number of RRCs and This issue remains opened.
Information paper, Subject:
Establishment of Army Reserve Functional Medical Command (AR-MEDCOM) dated 7
August 2003. Currently still a concept brief and was briefed late
November. This issue remains opened.
NEW BUSINESS
Congressional Update
- Mr. Esposito provided an update on pending legislation impacting the USAR and
Federal Employees.
HR331 would allow military reserve pay at any age vs 60 after 20 years of
service.
HR742- would allow
military retirement at age 55 rather than 60.
HR217 Reservists
Pay Security Act non-reduction of civilian pay if a federal employee goes in
an LWOP status when called to active duty.
HR548 Increases Survivor Benefit for military spouses age 62 or over from
35-55%
HR366 Establishment of an IRAC medal to recognize service
HR387 Bill is for those sent home for rest and recuperation (R&R) from
either Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom If passed all
travel and transportation costs will be borne by the government.
HR163 Draft for Men and Women age 18-26 with a mandate of two years of
service either as a member of the active or reserve component or in a civilian
capacity that promotes national defense.
Mr. Esposito advised all that all of the aforementioned bills have either been
referred to appropriate committees or are still pending Congressional actions
and that none to date have been passed.
Mr. Esposito made the Council aware of the following:
Transportation Treasury Appropriations Bill contains 4.1% pay raise for GS and WG employees. WG employees will receive a raise identical
to whatever GS employees receive in their locality area when their next pay
raise is due. Bill was passed by the
House on 8 Dec 03 and was expected to pass to the Senate upon their return from
recess.
National Defense Authorization was passed.- Included in the law were the following provisions:
Employees deployed
for 120 days in a hostile fire area, imminent danger area, deployable ship or
mobile unit in support of a contingency can now carry over 120 days of annual
leave and use within three years. Military
retirees with service connected disabilities can now be paid both military
retired pay and veterans disability compensation without deduction from either.
Reserve soldiers are
now authorized unlimited use of the commissary.
This Law (NDAA)- will speed up the hiring process, allow pay banding and
significantly change the negotiation and appeals process. Preserve the right of individual employees
to appeal adverse actions to the MSPB and courts; directs DOD to maintain
current funding levels for civilian pay; provides specific guidance for pay
banding, and requires DOD to work with OPM for implementation of the new
system. Appeals would first go through
an internal process created by DOD for initial appeals before going to MSPB or
the courts. It also authorizes the
SecDef to establish a new labor relations system. Much of the bargaining
currently performed at local levels will be done at national level with unions having
consultation rights. Changes to current DOD personnel system will be made
jointly by OPM and SecDef except in instances where the Sec Def determines that
provisions are essential to National security. If this occurs DOD would notify
unions of proposed changes, negotiate changes, mediate differences for 30 days
and notify Congress of unresolved issues.
30 days after notification to Congress SecDef can unilaterally implement
changes unless prevented from doing so by Congress.
National Security Personnel System
(NSPS) will be implemented and include Best Practices (BP) initiatives of
pay for performance. System will take
several years to fully implement changes.
Employee performance rather than seniority will determine annual salary
increases. No employee will lose money
initially. All employees will be placed into a Pay Band. If pay rate exceeds
maximum rate, the employee will receive pay retention for only 2 years. Annual increases in base pay and bonuses
based on performance. Everyone will continue
to receive locality pay. Based on
evaluation of performance standards and a factor score range from 0-110,
employees failing to earn 51 points or more points may be reduced in pay, band
level or removed from Federal service.
RIF will still include performance and veterans preference. Bumping and retreating will be eliminated. DOD will have permanent VERA/VSIP
authority. Probationary periods can be
up to 3 years.
Drug Testing Requirements The
following was briefed to the members by Mr. Williamson:.
There will be Increased testing for military
personnel. Goal is 100% for military. For civilian employees there will be no
changes until Commands have the ability to provide an Employee Assistance
program.(EAP) .Need further guidance from G1 (Ms. Lolmaugh) and it is
recommended that he discuss this policy at next G1 workshop. Bottom line is
there will be no changes at this time to civilian Drug testing programs at
levels other than USARC HQ. Issue remains opened
MRD for Warrant Officers Guidance was not implemented. Warrant Officers 60-62 cannot be deployed. G1 is working with DA and no progress is
being made. If beyond 60, waiver should
be requested ASAP. USARC can only
recommendations to DA regarding extensions beyond 60. Issue remains open.
NDSTs returning to Dual Status NDAA 2000 contains provisions that If Non-dual status technician
re-applies and is qualified to be a MT (dual status) they will be reappointed. USARC representatives indicated that
the final decisions, nor the ability to speed up the process is within their
Control. Mr. Esposito indicated that he would present this issue to Congress
for their assistance in providing a proper resolution.
Issue closed.
Disability Retirement for MTs under CSRS OPM is approval authority for
disability. Law contains specific provisions for FERS employees but
there appears to be none for CSRS.
CPAC will be asked to provide a response to this issue. Issue
remains opened.
Downsizing of AMSA/ECS Mr. Williamson informed all that while USARC is
considering all options,
with regard to the
movement of last years maintenance authorizations he informed all that Units
needed additional help and last years plus ups were diverted to units. He
further explained that while deactivating units will cause downsizing, there is
currently no plans to downsize or eliminate AMSA/ECS Issue remains open.
Management Directed Reassignments of
NDSTs Letter went out 19 Nov 03 about new USARC JAG decision. Union representatives have concerns that this
authority can be totally misused. The
Council recommends commands be notified of the policy. Issue remains open.
RIF Procedures for Dual Status/Non-Dual
Status USARC will ask their SJA to re-look and interpret the provisions
of NDAA 2000 regarding changes in RIF procedures. Issue remains open.
Backfill of MilTechs Deployed USARC will forward supplemental email
regarding authority for commands to temp hire where warranted on a case by case
basis. All were reminded that the commands still have full authority to
backfill MT positions for those who went AGR. All hired MUST meet dual status
requirements. Issue remains open.
Five days excused absence for federal employees after active
duty - USARC will not be sending out any additional guidance. Q&As from OPM were provided. Recommend each command handle any questions
and contact CPAC for any additional guidance not addressed by OPM. Issue closed.
Information piece on increase unpaid military leave for federal
employees SJA will review the 22 day rule (no guidance yet and part of
Defense Authorization Bill). Specifics
are not available and guidance needs to be provided NLT 9 Jan 04 to claim for
FY03. Issue remains
open.
Cross leveling of MTs for alerted and mobilized units Union is concerned that there is no policy that negates
arbitrary cross leveling when not needed.
10 Feb 96 Law requires individual to maintain unit membership, but cross
leveling does not recognize this requirement.
The Union is concerned that there will be a significant negative impact
in the future. Union would like USARC
to look at and provide a policy limiting cross leveling of technicians, if not,
Union will have no alternative but to address problem in February at
Congressional meetings with Armed Forces committee staffers/members and
recommend change in law regarding specific unit membership requirements. Issue remains opened
Recruiting and retaining qualified employees CPAC recently send out guidance regarding the Student Loan
Program. Question is funding. Mr. Williamson informed all that at this
time no funds have been provided to allow implementation of this program. He reminded all that Tuition Assistance is
available for AGR and TPU soldiers and is funded by St Louis. Issue is closed.
Individual Account Program Volunteer driven program.
OSD is looking at a volunteer unit which will not affect individual
volunteers. 54% of units have been for
6 or less personnel. 23,000 of 60,000
soldiers were cross leveled. Issue
is closed.
War Time Footing - All
USAR regulations were written for peace time and not war time. Executive Orders allows rules and
regulations to be set aside in war time.
DA G-1 was asked to write a policy, but since it is not a problem
yet. Recommend members review cold war
era regulations and laws and think of ways to be creative and effect
change. Issue remains open.
RRC Transition: Mr.
Williamson informed all that there have been no decisions made regarding any
changes in the current number of RRC's to date.
Mr. Cannon provided the plaque for Mr. Pierce and members had a photo taken of
the partnership members (Plaque will be presented to Mr. Pierce by Mr.
Williamson, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Cannon at the Georgia War Veterans Home in
Milledgeville, GA on a date to be determined)
Mr. John Esposito was
elected as the new Union Partnership Council Chairman. Mr. James Eggleton, 81st RRC was selected to
replace Mr. Tony Cox as a USARC partnership council member.
Closing Remarks
The next Partnership
Council meeting dates was set for 17-18 March 2004 at an off site location
within Atlanta, GA, to be determined.