INSPECTIONS

U.S. Library of Congress - Legislative Information on the Internet  (Look up important legislation/bills relating to Inspectors and upgrades/6C coverage - such as HR 1841 on giving LE coverage to inspectors and other federal officers.)

FEB 27, 2003 - DHS SETS FORTH SOME MARCH 1 CHANGES

FEB. 21, 2003 - MIAP H&S Inspection Report  (Local to follow-up with grievance if violations unresolved within timeframes provided for under our Agreement and H&S regulations)

Click here to link to Local 1458 President's Page to see what she is saying and click here for 1458 President's report on Sec. Ridge's visit, etc. 

Jan. 30, 2003 - Local 1458 President's report on Sec. Ridge's visit, etc.

Jan 30, 2003 -   Sec. Ridge's Remarks at Miami Town hall Meeting

Border Reorganization Fact Sheet (Changes to previous announcement on BTS and involving Inspections)

Asa Hutchinson Sworn In (Undersecretary)

Jan 25, 2003 - Local 1458 President's letter to Thomas Ridge, Secretary of the new DHS  (If Password box comes up, just hit CANCEL button.)

Jan 23, 2003 - Newly Published OIG Report on Airport Security and INS' Continued Failures   

• OIG Report PDF (Full Report) (INS Response to the Audit Report)

Jan. 16, 2003 - 6 day per week Glynco training schedule national grievance will not be filed

JAN 11, 2003 - Hot Rumor on II's/BP falling under Customs in DHS (See two links)  http://www.nbpc.net/hls/dhsrumors.pdf   http://more.abcnews.go.com/sections/us/hallsofjustice/hallsofjustice.html

JAN. 10, 2003 - Local informed by NINSC person that INS decided to fill DD spots.  Unclear as to whether DD will be over ALL of district again, including all of D&R and Krome.  More information to follow after Local President contacts DD's office.  

Jan 9, 2003 - AFGE Opens  DHS Employee Website http://www.dhsworkers.org/

December 5, 2002 - INS Lacks Proper Checks on Aliens

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20021205-4571356.htm

Oct 24, 2002 - NINSC E-Board on SOI/SRI (etc) Upgrade Issue         http://www.vpero.com/vp.htm

Oct 21, 2002 - GAO Report: Visa Processing Improved Since 9/11 

http://207.27.3.29/dailyfed/1002/102102td1.htm

Oct. 1, 2002  - Panel Sets 2003 Locality Ray Rates: 

http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1002/100102b1.htm

October 2002 - Remember Uniform Allowances Go to $525 THIS MONTH  

September/October  2002 -  (A) The Local is conducting a survey and analysis to attempt to bring a viable proposal to MIAP management to consider Compressed Work Schedules and the earning and usage of compensatory time.  Surveys were put out on ccmail to MIAP inspectors on 9/30, with a time limit of 10/11 to respond. (B) The Local is speaking with Orlando Inspections Management on the alphabetic OT system at Sanford, allegations of inequitable distribution of overtime, etc.  Steward George Chandler has recently been designated to follow-up on this important OT matter. (C) The Local is attempting to resolve a potential grievance or ULP charge involving bypassing the local and changing working conditions without 9A on SRI's.  A proposal formed by the Local and SRI's to resolve this matter and create a win-win is with Mr. Roig and Mr. Garofano.  (D) The Local was informed by Inspectors, one day before implementation, that the GOAA was going to remove free parking for them at OIA.  Steward George Chandler was designated to act on behalf of the Local President and contact the DD's office and GOAA to seek resolution. If unresolved, this matter will likely have to go further fast, including to local Representatives and Senators. 

August 13, 2002 - Possible lawsuit to get upgrade for SRI's/SOI's. Pass the "word". If interested in joining in or getting further information, email us at Local1458@aol.com   

August 10, 2002 - The Local was advised that the NINSC just signed off on a MOU for inspectors Land and Sea uniforms.  It is now awaiting Mr. Bohlinger's signature.  More to come.

July 2002 - IMPORTANT.  SIX (6) DAY-PER-WEEK TRAINING SCHEDULE AT GLYNCO CHALLENGED BY NINSC.  A NATIONAL GRIEVANCE WAS FILED, WHICH WAS TURNED DOWN BY INS, BUT I HAVE HEARD FROM MABEL ROGERS THAT THE GRIEVANCE IS NOW AT THE ARBITRATION STAGE.  (UPDATED AUGUST 24, 2002) HOWEVER, AN INS MEMO WAS PUT OUT THAT THEY WENT TO THE USDOJ TO ASK FOR AN EXCEPTION TO THE FLRA REGULATIONS TO ALLOW FOR INS TO REIMBURSE TRAINEES FOR THE SIXTH DAY, BUT USDOJ DECLINED TO ASK FOR SUCH EXCEPTION FROM OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT.  RECENTLY FILED AS A NATIONAL GRIEVANCE IS AN "OCORS" GRIEVANCE FILED BY MR. KUNNER AS TO EMPLOYEES WHO WERE DENIED AN OCORS RATING, INCLUDING A MANUAL RATING, AND PART OF THE REMEDIES REQUESTED IS THAT THE OCORS DEFAULT QUESTION (DO YOU WANT AN OCORS RATING?) BE CHANGED FROM "NO" TO "YES".

July 22, 2002 - The Local President sent cc:Mail messages out to all MIAP Inspectors on the subject of sick leave, the apparent on-going and improper denial of such by supervisors, etc.   If you did not receive this cc:Mail message or you are still the victim of improper denial of sick leave, Family Medical Act Leave, time off for workman's comp matters, etc.,  please contact the Local President at Local1458@aol.com

July 22, 2002 - Finally! Upgrade for our hardworking Inspectors

RE:    Pay Upgrade

Chuck -- The Supplemental finally passed and the language regarding the pay grade increase is attached/COPIED IN BELOW.   Please share it around and let folks know that funding has also been included in the Regular FY '03 CJS Appropriations bill on the Senate side for continued funding of the increase.  

Eric

"To improve retention of Border Patrol Agents and <Immigration> Inspectors, the conference agreement includes $6,250,000 for pay upgrades for Border Patrol Agents and <Immigration Inspectors for the remainder of fiscal year 2002. The conferees are concerned that the Administration has failed to address law enforcement pay equity issues in a comprehensive manner, and expects it to develop and quickly implement an equitable pay scale to ensure fair compensation for the Nation´s Federal law enforcement officers."

July 12, 2002 - Federal Officers Flock to Aviation Security http://www.usatoday.com/advertising/orbitz/orbitz-window.htm

May 31, 2002 - H.R. 1841: 
Rep. Dave Weldon is holding up Inspector's 6C Bill, HR 1841, in the House.  See attached letter from the AFGE Police Steering Committee.  Rep. Weldon's Fax is 202-225-3516.  (Click here for sample letter.)

May 14, 2002 - President Signs Border Bill, Upgrade for Inspectors and BP

http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=search&StoryID=960277

April 2002 (late) -  Local filed a Step A grievance on not releasing IIs who were formally selected to EOD for promotions in other units.  Local also represented Individual II who also filed employee-initiated MPR&P grievance on same matter.

April 2002 - An II was threatened with disciplinary action/insubordination after working a full shift, going home, and later in the day being called at home to come to work OT , but employee was ill.  The employee did not report, as she was ill, and in fact did not work her full, next (schedule/regular) shift, due to illness.  After Local inquiry, no disciplinary action taken, though there may be "counseling"  coming up, which the Local will represent employee on.  

April 19, 2002 - S1749, Follow-up

Yahoo! News - Senate Passes Border Security Bill

April 19, 2002 - Due to emergent circumstances that required the President's attention, her visit to PEV was rescheduled for Tuesday, April 30.  She will (hopefully) also be visiting the Miami Marine Unit/Seaport that same week.

April 18, 2002 - Words of Senator Kennedy Re: S1749

We do not minimize the complexity in achieving all of this, but we believe it represents our best effort in how we can improve our current system.    Enforcement personnel at our ports of entry are a key part of the battle against terrorism, and we must provide them greater resources, training, and technology. These men and women have a significant role in the battle against terrorism. This legislation will ensure that enforcement personnel receive adequate pay, can hire necessary personnel, are well trained to identify individuals who pose a security threat, have access to important intelligence information, and have the technologies they need to enhance border security and facilitate cross-border commerce.    The Immigration and Naturalization Service must be able to retain highly skilled immigration inspectors. Our legislation provides incentives to immigration inspectors by providing them    with the same benefits as other law enforcement personnel. They do not have that today. Our bill does.

April 16, 2002 - Words of Wisdom (aka: CYA):

Some (mostly S. Florida) IIs have expressed concerns about:

(1) not being given time to read and ask questions about the voluminous material (memos/INS policies and procedures) that they have been handed by their supervisors at some ports.  (They are purportedly called off the line, given the packet, made to initial for such, and that's it.) 

(2)  being given a packet with cover memo saying, "...this is all the INS policies...", but the memo does not provide the title and date of each memo, and IIs are afraid such is NOT complete and they are or will be "set up".  

(3) their being unaware of the policy guidance on the Wire, or were not given any set-aside time to review such.

(4) working elongated hours - such as 16 or more hours, consecutively. 

Words to the Wise, If Any or All of the Above Four Items Apply to You:

As to (1) above, if you are handed a packet of material, made to initial for it, and are not being given sufficient time to review the material and ask questions, IMMEDIATELY send a cc:Mail message to your supervisor, your Local Steward AND Local President, asking when you will be given the time to review it and ask questions of your supervisor.

As to (2) above, if you are handed a packet of material and told this is all outstanding INS policy, without having a listing of those memos, IMMEDIATELY send a cc:Mail message to your supervisor, your Local Steward AND Local President, providing your OWN listing of what material was attached, and ask your supervisor whether this is accurate or not. and whether this reflects all outstanding policy.

As to (3) above, if this applies to you, IMMEDIATELY send a cc:Mail message to your supervisor, your Local Steward AND Local President, inquiring of your supervisor when you will be given time to review, and continue to review, policy guidance on the Florida District Wire.

As to (4) above, if this applies to you, pursuant to Article 29 of the current Agreement, you should IMMEDIATELY request (via cc:Mail and personally) that your supervisor adjust your next workday schedule in order to provide you with adequate rest.  Please provide a copy to your Local Steward AND Local President. Please remember:  A tired II is much-more likely to make errors, which could turn into media events, national security issues, and disciplinary action.  

April 16, 2002 - At the invitation of Mr. Garofano, I attended a meeting of Port Directors and their deputies at MIAP.  Therein, since I have not had a chance to visit all their ports, I again recounted my vision to lead the Local with openness, that I will NOT speak to management "through" the media, and will attempt to resolve issues by speaking first, and if unresolved, filing later, in the spirit of partnership.  I reminded them that since this is not what they had in the past Local President and Exec. Board, that now is as good a time as ever to show me that my way of operating the Local is the way that is of most beneficial to our employees and  agency.  However, as we all know:  talk is talk, action is what counts.   I also mentioned briefly my concerns with the morale of the Inspectors, the lack of a career path, that OCORS was not assisting them, the lack of follow-up training on information contained within the Wire, etc.   Mr. Garofano and I also mentioned our prior meeting and the DD's interest in forming focus/work groups, which we will further discuss upon the DD's (and ADD's) return, hopefully in the next week.    

April  2002 - During a meeting with the Acting DD on April 2nd, he stated that he was open to having work/focus groups established in order to discuss concerns and come up with solutions and plans-of-action.  He also stated that he would insure computer training locally within Inspections.  We will see if these words "spring into action" upon his return to the district.  (He is expected back the week of April 22nd.)  Since a conference on INS restructuring is planned again, we will also see what is next in that arena.  (I understand that the Service will be filling its open DD jobs.)

In the meantime, due to attrition, the impact of such on work conditions, mandatory OT without following proper procedures for such and *negotiation, and  the apparent impact of management's reaction to the zero-tolerance policy, the morale within Inspections appears to be quickly slipping to an all-time low.  And, I "hear" Inspectors are leaving at unprecedented rates.  Meanwhile, new Inspectors who are making some unintentional "trainee" errors are apparently being dealt with in harsh terms....

Inspections within the Florida District is dying on the vine, as I write this.

Upon my return to Miami after being at out-of-town EEO hearings/sessions April 8-10, l made some calls to the ADD for Inspections, Port Director for PEV, and to our Acting DD in order to arrange to meet and discuss these issues upon return of the Acting DD. (I spoke to Mr. Nadar and Mr. Bulger (who was out of town), but have not received a return call from Mr. Garofano yet.) Some PEV IIs are working double shifts since April 6, Mr. Nadar's return and losing even more Inspectors that week, and something MUST be done.  Meanwhile, Inspectors who are being directed to work 16 hours per day or more should IMMEDIATELY contact their local steward AND the Local President and should be documenting this.  Consistent with our national Agreement, these IIs should be asking for an adjustment to the start time of their next work shift to allow adequate time to rest.  After all, a tired II is much-more likely to make errors and this could turn into a national security issue, a media issue and such is a clear safety and health issue.

* On the subject of mandatory OT and shift changes, I have recently learned that the district served 9A notices upon the prior Local President (King) in December 2001, and that he directed his then-Exec. VP Mr. Touron to respond for the Local.  I do not possess Mr. Touron's/the Local's actual response letters, and as such, the week of March 29, I sent a letter to Mr. Touron asking him to provide me his response(s) for the Local and his thoughts, etc.  I asked him to fax or mail such to me by April 12.