PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL

REGION 5

N.F.F.E. AND U.S. FOREST SERVICE

07/23/09

Meeting Participants:

Union Representatives

Dan Duefrene, Regional Vice President, Shasta-Trinity NF

Emil Meacham, Plumas NF

Connie Hendryx, Klamath NF

Management Representatives

       Angela Coleman, Deputy Regional Forester

      Stephen Deep, Director, Human Resources

      Judie Tartaglia, Deputy Forest Supervisor, Tahoe National Forest (via phone)

Support

Janet Crowley, HCM R5 Labor Relations Advisor

Rita Yates, Civil Rights, Facilitator

Visitors

       Benny Perez, AM

      John De La Torre, PD&B

      Michelle Reugebrink - Regional Safety Program

Influenza Workforce Protection Plans and Continuity of Operations Plans - Emil Meacham & Michelle Reugebrink - Regional Safety Program

Issue: Update on Region's efforts set out in Chief's April 30, 2009 letter regarding influenza workforce protection. Discussion:   Field employees are unaware of who is identified as essential and non-essential employees during a Level 5.    Local units make the determination for identifying essential/non-essential employees, and this may change throughout the year. .  Local Health Departments give updates from CDC every Thursday afternoon.  Currently, the entire United States is at Level 5.

R5 Pandemic Response Plan --Emil Meacham & Michelle Reugebrink - Regional Safety Program

Issue: Union proposal to review 8/2/2006 plan to make sure it is up to date. Current Plans do not address H1N1 Flu.  Employees need to remain vigilant in prevention and reminded to stay home when ill.  Outcome:   The Regional Safety Staff will be updated to address current Pandemic threats and notify the Union . 

Regional Housing Policy Status Update: Benny Perez

Our Regional draft Housing plan is still on hold from Washington Office.  We received a June 28, 2009 , letter instructing units to use the Department of Interior Housing Management Handbook as interim guidance until the Forest Service direction is finalized. Outcome:  Angela will follow up to get clarification on direction. 

Per Diem for Backcountry Travel - Angela Coleman & Dan Duefrene

Issue:   Follow up item.   A Draft Letter to remove all travel ceilings all together is coming from FSPC.  Group discussed the need to gather data on impacts from the field before revisiting per diem for backcountry travel topic.     Outcome:  As stated in RF’s February 5, 2008 letter, management will gather information on travel costs and impacts , and the R5PC will not address further until data is received and reviewed.

Human Resources Program Update (Stephen Deep)

High priority on maintaining full-strength Human Resources staffing level.  National Temporary and Fire Hire Employment Programs have officially migrated to ASC.  Human Resources Liaisons migration status: 3 are in place, 4 were recently reassigned and 4 will be hired through competition. Performance and Awards are the next functions scheduled for migration at the end of the FY-09 performance cycle.  Re-organization approvals have been streamlined and local Forests can do themselves.    Drug Testing is still uncoordinated and we are working with ASC to develop Standard Operating Procedures.  EmpowHR and eForms are the software behind the migration.  All of USDA is working to implement these programs.  Hiring authority returned to the Forests seems to be working pretty well.  The RO is reviewing Strength and Weakness documentation.  Region 5 final migration is still targeted for February 2009.  ASC is currently working on a redesign to meet emerging needs.  A National Team is working with Avue to make improvements.  R-5 will be the last Region to go to Paycheck 8 

Retention Update

Issue: Follow up information on status of fire retention action items.   The 10% Retention Allowance will be re-evaluated in January.  If it is determined to continue, it will be re-issued in March for another one year term and future re-evaluation. Current 18/8 and 13/13 employees were given the choice to remain in those tours or convert to a 26/0 tour. All new appointments will be Permanent Full Time.  A WO team at ACS is looking at a Wildland Firefighter series.  There is a lot of momentum and inter-agency involvement to create a fire job series.  Portal to Portal or Ordered Stand by is still being discussed.

Update on American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (John De La Torre)

Issue: Union request for update of the status of agency's efforts.

R-5 received $175 million for Facilities and Trails.  This is close to original submission.  This is a high level topic for the Administration. Communication and announcements are coming from the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture.  Contract requirements have tight timeframes that are not negotiable. The Economic Recovery Operations Center

(EROC) will begin posting status of projects.   Data calls continue.   There is Tribal interest in our projects.   Youth and Conservation Corps are being reviewed.   WO letter encouraging Management to work with the Union to identify projects that can be done by temporary or term employees.  WO 6130 letter, Agency Hiring to Support Economic Recovery, June 26, 2009, has not been seen many.   Outcome:   Angela Coleman will re-distribute the letter. (Completed:   The letter was sent out to FS on 6/30/09 and 7/24/09).

Fire Standard Operating Procedures for Crews

Issue: Union concern that each unit has crew SOPs that vary from unit to unit, and that they may not be consistent with the various policies and procedures. (Dan Duefrene.  Discussion. Agreement to defer to October meeting where Ed Hollingshead can participate.

Hotshot Squad Leader GS-6 Interagency Hotshot Crew IHC Training vs. Interagency Crew IHC GS-7 (Joe Duran)

Issue: Union concern that opting to omit the GS-6 Squad Leader on the IHC trainee crews from upgrade to the GS-7 position will cause morale, retention and recruitment issues. Discussion.  Crews that have not been certified, because they are not fully staffed, and are doing the same job are being held at the GS-6 Leader.  Once a crew is certified, the Leader is granted a GS-7 upon completion of requirements.  Outcome: Agreement to defer to October meeting where Ed Hollingshead can participate.  If FAM & HR have a discussion on this a conference call will occur with Partnership Council.

Relationship Building

The National Partnership Council meets at field locations to work directly with employees and management.   Discussion was to build relationships and become a cohesive working group.   Building relationships should be a standing agenda item.   Field visits may be a part of building relationships with employees.

Future Meeting Dates/Topics/Locations

October 15, 2009 , January TBA

Morale Issues (Burden Shift)

Relationship Building activity

Hotshot Squad Leader GS-6 Interagency Hotshot Crew IHC Training vs. Interagency Crew IHC GS-7 (Issue: Union concern that opting to omit the GS-6 Squad Leader on the IHC trainee crews from upgrade to the GS-7 position will cause morale, retention and recruitment issues.) (Joe Duran)

Fire Standard Operating Procedures for Crews (Issue: Union concern that each unit has crew SOPs that vary from unit to unit, and that they may not be consistent with the various policies and procedures. (Dan Duefrene)

Review SOPs (ie: Quorum) E-mail current SOP to members

Housing Policy Review/Status Update

Update National Future of Travel Ceiling

Retention Update

Meeting Review

Positives:

Building Relationships - Good Food

Randy's Visit

Michelle's contribution

Stephen's handout

Discussion of Fire Issues

Well prepared handouts

Muffins

Improvement:

Agenda preparation

Participants show up

Frame topics with appropriate expectations