Earlier this week, members of NFFE Local 178 were invited to present before the National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations in Washington, DC to discuss their successes working with Aberdeen Proving Ground managers. The group, led by Local 178 President Lisa Foust, recently signed their labor-management (LM) agreement with base leadership in a formal ceremony held May 27, 2014. Since the formal signing, the LM group has collaboratively addressed numerous workplace issues to make the lives of employees easier.
Ms. Foust, along with Mr. Todd Morris, Director of Human Resources, Aberdeen Proving Ground, presented the achievements of the group since the signing. Notable achievements included a new employee wellness program, new communication channels and a telework program that was being finalized by the group.
While the group had experienced numerous successes, it has not been without challenges. Most notably, Aberdeen Proving Ground has numerous agencies housed within the base, which results in numerous sets of organizational workforce policies to navigate. Additionally, the bargaining unit often experiences reorganizations that NFFE-IAM members must work through.
At the conclusion of the presentation, Ms. Foust and Mr. Morris outlined the anticipated challenges the group would need to work through in the near future. The one issue that both presenters had an unwavering agreement over were future sequestration impacts and budget cuts.
“It was wonderful to be able to present the success we have had at Local 178 to the Council,” NFFE Local 178 President Lisa Foust said. “While a lot of work has gone into getting to this point, it is great to see all of our hard work paying off with a receptive group of managers. I am glad we were able to share our story with Council members, including Office of Personnel Management Director Katherine Archuleta.”
Representatives from Local 178 and Aberdeen Proving Grounds Management in Washington, DC