Federal Employee Group Life Insurance "Open Season"

Been interested in life insurance but thought it was too expensive? The Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI) is opening an enrollment opportunity called an "open season" from September 1 - 30 this year. During the open season, if you are an eligible Federal employee, you can elect any coverage that FEGLI offers on the lives of your eligible family members.

Unlike other federal employee benefit programs that hold annual Open Seasons, FEGLI open seasons enrollment opportunities are fairly rare, with the last one occurring in 2004.

Any coverage changes made under the upcoming FEGLI Open Season will take effect October 1, 2017, and the Open Season is available only to current federal employees.  All enrollments or other FEGLI changes should be provided to your servicing EPA HR office.

The OPM-sponsored program is the largest group life insurance program in the world, covering over 4 million Federal employees and retirees, as well as many of their family members. OPM is charged with administering the program and setting premiums, and contracts with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (Metlife) to provide the insurance coverage.  In fiscal year 2015 over 76,000 death and dismemberment claims were paid, totaling $2.9 billion in benefit payments.

Additional information from OPM here.

Badging Entry Update

You may have seen an email this week from the Office of Administration and Resource Management's Facilities Management and Services Division regarding the "Physical Access Control System" in WJC North and South buildings. This new system will eventually require that your badge be held to a small black pad for a short time when coming into EPA buildings or into interior controlled spaces.

As you can probably imagine, this new system generates a large amount of data on when you came into a building, and if management has its way, in the evening when you leave. Our members are understandably concerned that this data would be improperly used as a defacto time clock, much like factory workers punch when clocking in and clocking out of the factory floor.

Fear not, NTEU has you covered.

EPA management assures us that this system is to be used for security purposes only, not for timekeeping. But we're not taking their word for it! We negotiated a memorandum of understanding that specifies that the system "shall not store or track, or be used to store or track, attendance, location, or work hours" of employees. It's just one more thing NTEU Chapter 280 is doing to protect you.

Keep in mind that we're only able to have this kind of positive impact on you if you are a dues-paying member. Please consider joining today and strengthening our bargaining position. More information here.

NTEU Supports Paid Parental Leave for Federal Employees

With Father’s Day approaching, NTEU's campaign in support of paid parental leave for federal employees heats up. This week, NTEU's National Office launches its Facebook campaign supporting paid parental leave for federal employees.

There are pending bills in the House and the Senate that would provide six weeks of paid parental leave, and Father’s Day provides a timely reminder about how important it is for fathers to be able to provide care for their families.

Feel free to check out the NTEU Facebook page when you are off duty and on your personal computer.

Greenwire Covers NTEU Chapter 280 Concerns on EVS

We noted in our blog this week that at least one EPA supervisor illegally pressured his employees to give favorable ratings on the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey. Our story was picked up by Greenwire this week in a story of theirs, Wednesday.

We want to again urge EPA headquarters employees who have been directed to give favorable ratings, or who have been threatened if they didn't complete the survey, to contact one of our NTEU Chapter 280 officers or stewards.

Remembering Those Who Died

Memorial Day. A time for barbecues, friends, time at the beach. But it really does mean more. As we approach the holiday, it's good to reflect on the holiday's meaning and roots as you munch down on that hotdog.

According to Wikipedia, "Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces. The holiday ... originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868, when the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans founded in Decatur, Illinois, established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. By the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holiday traditions, celebrated on different days, had merged, and Memorial Day eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service."

While America is certainly not perfect, as we look around at religious wars in the middle east, repressive governments all over the globe, and bleak economics in many countries, America looks like a pretty good place to live. Remember that America didn't come for free. It was infused with the blood of many American soldiers who fought for the principles and ideals this country stands for. While we may not always live up to our ideals, at least we have them. Take time out of your picnics and holiday vacations to reflect on those who died fighting for what we have.

Download NTEU's Memorial Day flier here, and post it in your cubicle or office.