Chapter 296 - email bulletin April 8, 2025

Dear colleagues - 

Considering all that is currently occurring, and ahead of our monthly chapter members meeting tomorrow, Wed., April 9^th (Noon EDT), we wanted to share a few updates with everyone.  

Regarding the employment chaos we all face, the Union recommends that you make an informed decision based on your personal needs.  No single approach fits everyone.

Deferred Resignation/VERA-VSIP - According to InsideNPS, ( the Department has set an 11:59pm EDT deadline tomorrow, Wednesday, April 9th.  For those considering whether to apply for either of these programs, there is a helpful chart here - Alternative Federal Retirement Options; With Chart  

Return To Office - The Union received official notice about the June 16^th Return To Office order last week.  The Union will be filing a grievance against NPS over this violation of our Collective Bargaining Agreement.  

Telework - An arbitration hearing over the increased in-office requirement is scheduled for Tuesday, April 29th, 2025.  This pertains to the NPS policy issued last summer that violates our CBA.  

Remote Work - Please submit specific remote work concerns or questions to our email here - nteuchapter296@nps.gov - by COB ET this Friday, April 11th.  We will consolidate those questions and our NTEU attorney will prepare and send an information request to the NPS next week. 

RIFs- As of this writing, no RIF plan has been shared with the Union.  Note that Article 31 of our CBA requires bargaining on the impact and implementation of any proposed reductions in force. OPM has issued guidelines on RIFs - Reduction in Force (RIF) Quick Reference Guide

Evaluations- If you have applied for VERA/VSIP or the Deferred Resignation Program - or your immediate supervisor has - we recommend that you ask for a summary review for the work you have done since the beginning of the Fiscal Year, if you have not done so already.  This is a right enshrined in our Collective Bargaining Agreement.  This is especially important if you are not retiring and need/want to apply for another job.  We recommend that supervisors provide this in a written email, especially since DOI Talent deleted all employees EPAP's earlier this year.

Next Union Members Meeting - is tomorrow, April 9th, Noon EDT.  On April 4th, the Union sent a Zoom link to all dues paying chapter members' home emails, with the heading "April Lunch and Learn Meeting."