MEMBER'S Q & A's
On Saturday, November 18, 2006, members from the NULEA National attended the General Membership and Executive Boards meetings at the Navy Lodge in Norfolk, VA. Many concerns were addressed and answered during this meeting:
Q. What is the status of Credentials and Hazardous Duty Pay?
A. Both are negotiable items. At this time we do not have a contract. Those items will be brought up when the contract is under negotiations. Currently the Executive Board is reviewing the draft for the Local’s ground rules.
Q. When will an election be held?
A. Labor Law requires us under FLRA to put in place an interim board until a contract is negotiated. Once a contract is negotiated there will be an immediate election.
Q. Do we have a Constitution and By-Laws established?
A. Not until the Local is certified through the FLRA. A General Membership meeting will be held and with full agreement of the membership, the Constitution and By-Laws will be submitted / certified.
Q. In a previous news article (Virginia Pilot) on police being labeled as DON and not DOD police, as well as letters the Admiral stating the police to be DON – was this is misprint or misstatement?
A. Nothing in NULEA writing that states that Police are security and not considered DOD Police. Per the DOD and Navy, the Admiral has the right to call police what he wants until a contract is established to show RECOGNITION of the police. Name, title, rank, etc…
In the article; it was a statement that the previous union (IBPO) made. At that time, NULEA was not in official certification and at first were reluctant to make any statement.
Q. Have we met with the Admiral?
A. No, we were re-directed to meet with Captain Morressy (whom the Admiral stated was “more than qualified” to handle our concerns) with a Bill of Particulars. The membership has to assist the Executive Board and National on obtaining ALL concerns to address.
Q. Do we have a Negotiating Committee and how are they qualified to be negotiators?
A. Currently there is not a negotiation committee; there was a tentative committee which will be discussed by the Executive Board as they go over the ground rules. The Committee will consist of four (4) representatives.
No regulations are set or training for negotiation team. Best negotiation team is member who is affected directly by the circumstances at hand and who is in the field as a regular witness to events. Certified negotiators (at this time) are the National Director (JC Stamps), an Attorney or certified staff that has undergone certain training. The Lead will be the Attorney. You do not need to be a “professional” negotiator to be a negotiator – the elected should be a member through the Grievance Committee – if they are strong – and should be the Chairperson of such committee.
Q. What is the actual name of our Local?
A. We give a Charter which first goes through to FLRA which in turn certifies you as a Local Union. DODPa Local 911
Q. NULEA is an Association?
A. We are NOT an association, per rumored.
NULEA = National Union OF Law Enforcement Associations
“Associations” – buzzword for Unions (union or form of a union)
As a National, we are service providers – to form locals so they can operate on their own autonomy
As a UNION, we are here to negotiate a law enforcement (and it’s support personnel) contract, not a watered down contract. In order to negotiate a contract, the members need to assist in its completion. Norfolk will be DODPa 911 once contract is negotiated and by-laws are in place.
Q. What is being done with the Union dues?
A. A congressional was filed by a person who misrepresented NULEA. It is currently under investigation. Once the falsehood is proven then we will need to follow suit against this person. Dues are finally being deposited as of pay period ending 9/30/06. Records were demanded of the records of pay. $2 per person did not come to NULEA – it is still with DFAS. The $2 is for the Local to have usage. Anyone that was paying dues from may – can send a letter and copy of letter and a copy of pay stub, NULEA will return the paid money with a 1099. Money received in spent in good faith and well spent wisely and FOR the Local. The money issue / report is to be completed once all information is out. Sharon Moore is the current contact.
Q Will our email addresses be placed as POC for information?
A. Yes. Please send your contact information to info@nulea.com or to m.witcher@nulea.com. In the near future, a link will be established for members to automatically sign up on a contact list.
Q. Were any other Contracts signed before NULEA was elected?
A. One was rumored to be signed and in effect (illegally?) The IBPO – contract is not our contract . We currently are under a Memorandum of Understanding based on such until NULEA can negotiate a contract. IBPO signed off on it, we cannot spend $$$$ to overturn it. We have challenged credentials but we have to careful what we ask for, this Union will not spend more money for it is too much of a risk to take. NULEA officially represented DODPa for 7 months.
Q. It is understood that there are several binding contracts – other than IBPO?
A. Those have nothing to with police officers. All we have is the MOU. Our contract, only contract will consist of Federal employees who come under the 083, dog handlers, dispatchers. NULEA’s contract will be strictly law enforcement and support personnel.
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