Updated (02 February 2004)

The 16th District has been involved in the DOD NSPS process along with various other labor organizations. At the first meeting which DOD held (the IAFF was in attendance at this meeting), DOD provided the unions a worksheet to begin the process of developing thoughts on how the new labor relations portion of the NSPS should be designed. DOD will be providing their ideas to the unions by February 6th. The unions are to provide their thoughts back to DOD by February 23rd. This is not part of the actual consultation process but a preliminary phase.

The IAFF takes issue with the fact that DOD has initially only invited the unions that have national consultation rights (NCR) to the meetings. This means that unions such as the IAFF and the other 34 unions that do not have NCR are not appropriately represented at the table for discussions. DOD has stipulated that they want the non-NCR units to designate two representatives to represent the interests of the non-NCR units. The IAFF will assist with structuring the non-NCR units into a coalition so that together with these units we can all address our concerns and interests to DOD.

As such the IAFF will host a meeting with the other non-NCR units on February 3rd, at IAFF HQ. This web page will facilitate access to NSPS information for members of the District and representatives of the other non-NCR units. As information is received regarding the NSPS it will be posted on this web page.

It is very evident that DOD and the bargaining units have some differences of opinion regarding the interpretation of the legislation regarding the NSPS. As such, the District will continue to pursue political redress of these issues.