Vocational Rehabilitation and Education (VR&E) Performance Standards Implemented
Unfair Labor Practice filed October 25, 2004
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Since 2002 we have heard of new
Vocational Rehabilitation and Education (VR&E) National Performance
Standards were coming. As early as 2002, NFFE VA Council of
Consolidated Locals issued a REQUEST to BARGAIN these new standards.
NFFE VA Council contacted the LMR for VBA, Veronica Wales at least a half
a dozen times with requests to participate, requests to bargain,
etc. In every instance, our contacts have fallen upon deaf
ears. Effective July 1, 2004 and in some instances, earlier, the
Veterans Benefits Administration, VR&E Division onon implemented new
far reaching Performance Standards in spite of NFFE's efforts to bargain
or at a minim, participate.
Unfair Labor Practice filed After VBA's Labor Relations Specialist from Washington advised this Council that we failed to timely request bargaining and denied our contacts over the past eighteen months, it was clear that we are most likely needing to litigate these new standards. Accordingly, on October 25, 2004 NFFE VA Council filed an Unfair Labor Practice Charge against th Secretary of the US Department of Veterans Affairs, Principi. "I cannot imagine why Veronica Wales, Crystal Wiggins or others from VBA have chosen to ignore NFFE." stated Robert Redding, President of the VA Council. As a VBA Counseling Psychologist, we would think that NFFE would bring a lo to the discussion of new standards", added Redding. "We have always been curious about these standards and NFFE even raised the issue of implementation dates along with fairness at a recent National Partnership Council meeting. Mike Walcoff VBA's partner assured NFFE he would look into the standards and get back with us" explained Council President Redding. Unfortunately, to date Mr. Walcoff has remained silent. Stay Tuned... |