7106 (b) (1) UPDATE 01/31/12
It appears the B1 Pilot Test is ready to be administered after a year of diligent work by the VBA Management Team, the AFGE Team and your NFFE Team. The Process Agreement governing this historic 7106 (b) (1) Pilot calls for the Workgroup to hand off to the bargaining teams, a report of recommendations. This report should be shortly complete and negotiations stating soon. The parties have worked very hard on this historic B1 Pilot, stated NFFE VA Council President Robert Redding. I believe that the utility of the B1 will be shown when VBA CH 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Services has a valid test and our employees can receive adequate training and services to our veterans is enhanced, added Redding.
A special thanks is owed VHA Office of LMR for their tireless work.
7106 (b) (1) Update
After five face to face meetings, VBA has selected a contractor for test development and the parties continue to meet in Orlando, FL and work towards developing a Skills Certification Test. NFFE, AFGE and VBA teams are working collaboratively to develop[ items so that the contractor can begin statistical analysis of test questions. The B1 Pilot has two phases, a Workgroup phase populated by CH 31 Counselors who are NFFE members and a Bargaining phase.
FIRST 7106 (b) (1) Meeting Held (Orlando, Fl.)
The first meeting between VBA, AFGE and NFFE was held the week of March 21 - 25, 2011 in Orlando, FL. In accordance with the Process agreement developed between the parties, time was spent framing issues relating to the VRC / CP Skills Certification Test and assessing the Core Areas the Test should assess. Presentations resulting from a detailed TASK ANALYSIS assisted the parties in understanding the duties of a CP or VRC in the Chapter 31 program at VA. The group established future meetings for April, May, June and July. The Workgroup is tasked with developing the Skills Certification Test and the Negotiations Group will meet for Interest Bases Bargaining between the parties after this time. The Workgroup agreed on standardized minutes and an Agenda going forward. The next Workgroup meeting is to be held in Washington DC, April 25 - 29, 2011.
Process Agreement Signed (February 14, 2011)
7106 (b) 1 NFFE AFGE VBA Agreement.pdf
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NFFE Continues to bargain CH 31 VR&E National Standards (February 11, 2011)
The National Federation of Federal Employees, VA Council of Consolidated Locals is continuing bargaining of the new National Standards. Focusing on due process, mitigation and reasonableness, we hope to work with VBA Leadership to have standards that are measurable, objective and attainable.
Meeting set for February 4, 2011
Follow-up to the Process Agreement for the 7106 (b) (1) Pilot will be held on February 4, 2011. We are hopeful that an agreement can be reached between Labor and VA and we can move ahead with this historic opportunity.
First Meeting on 7106 (b) (1) Pilot completed
Last week representatives from the Veterans Administration, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) met to discuss VHA/VBA proposed Pilot. VBA has proposed to use 7106 (b) (1) to bargain a certification process for Counselors employed in the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Division. While VBA CH 31 has restricted what the unions can bargain under 7106 (b) (1), they are making an effort. Only methods and means and technology will be used in a permissive IBB bargaining session. Apparently, VHA CH 31 is not going to allow the other (b) (1) area, numbers , types and grades so it is only partially complying with the National Labor Council's and President's direction. A Process Agreement between the parties is well along and the Atlanta meeting was a good start, stated NFFE VAC President, Robert Redding. Stay tuned...
VBA moves ahead with the Pilot project (7106 (b))
The VA National Partnership Council has recently notified the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) regarding upcoming training for VA's pilot into 7106 (b) areas; permissive areas. Two bargaining teams one from each union are to receive training in early October and then bargaining will commence. The topic as NFFE understands it will be certification of Rehabilitation Counselors in the CH 31 program. We are seeking input from our field stations so please contact us if you are interested in this project. Please email Robert Redding at robert.redding@va.gov
Pilots Selected
President Obama's Executive Order dealing with Partnerships has been a long time coming. Many in the Labor movement were disappointed with the slow pace of the EO development and with the decision not to require bargaining in the Pre Decisional areas. Nevertheless the Executive Order was signed in December 2009 and EO 13522 is a reality. The Executive Order has led the National Labor Council to compel Agencies to put forward Pilot projects in the permissive areas, 7106 (b) areas. The VA has put forward two, one dealing with IT and another dealing with VBA Certification in VR&E. The Secretary will need to determine what Pilot VA uses. the VA National Partnership Council (NPC) decided in consensus last week to recommend the VBA project as a first choice, the IT project second and both pilots as a third choice.