"Wisconsin Is Our Fight!" Chapter 247 Stands Up for Government Workers

Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011

A rally in support of public employees fighting labor-bashing efforts in Wisconsin drew thousands to the Texas Capitol on Saturday, Feb. 26. The rally was one of 66 held across the nation on that day. Chapter 247 President Eddie Walker was among the invited speakers (at the podium below). Other guests included Texas firebrand Jim Hightower, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett, and Texas AFL-CIO President Becky Moeller. Chapter 247 members were there, carrying their NTEU signs high ("Fair Treatment Now"/"NTEU Backs Employees" among them). What did Eddie have to say?

Click here to see Eddie's speech on YouTube.

Jim Hightower (below left) and U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (at the mic) take their turns working up the crowd.

A number of Chapter 247 notables were on hand to pitch in, including (in order, below) Nathan Wheeler, Sal Macias, Julia Miller, and Abraham Torres-Mendoza—surrounded by a cast of thousands.

Monday, Feb. 21, 2011

Chapter 247 members have increased visibility for NTEU in Texas. The Daily Texan, University of Texas: "Supporters of worker’s rights in Wisconsin lead a candlelight vigil (below) at the Texas AFL-CIO building at Lavaca and 11th streets on Monday. Attendees marched to the Capitol steps in protest of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s bill to limit bargaining rights for public employees."—Chapter 247 President Eddie Walker holds the sign, "NTEU Supports Families," and National Vice President Julia Miller's sign is "Fight for your Rights or Lose Them."

Monday, Nov. 29, 2010

Chapter President Eddie Walker opposes a two-year freeze on federal workers' pay.

Click here to see what Eddie has to say about this controversial issue.

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Another Magical Night: Chapter 247's 3rd Annual Holiday Party

Chapter 247 held its 3rd Annual Holiday Party on December 10, at the Austin Marriott South. The night out was the biggest and best yet. Party to the people! Click here to see all the action.

A special guest arrived, bearing gifts. Thank you, Santa (Executive Vice President Russell Bokelman)!

Dancing as if no one is looking....

 

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Cruisin' Together on Lady Bird Lake

In May, 100 Chapter 247 members went cruisin' together on a 70-foot, double deck boat on Lady Bird Lake. $10 bought unlimited barbeque, drinks, and dancing, and the scenery upon the lake was even better!

The weather couldn't have been more perfect for Chapter President Eddie (Walker) and the Cruisers, and a major highlight of the three-hour tour was the mystery surrounding the legend of the Congress Avenue Bridge. Would the famous bats living under the bridge show themselves at sunset? And would they make their appearance on cue, while the boat was gliding precariously beneath the bridge?

The bats did indeed materialize. And, as you can see below, they do have their fans, who are more than willing to wait atop the "Bat Bridge" to witness the nightly ritual.

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NTEU's National Legislative Conference 2011, Washington, DC

Chapter 247's fight for public employees moved to Washington, DC at the end of February. Chapter 247 President Eddie Walker, Executive Vice President Russell Bokelman, and National Vice President Julia Miller lobbied Congress and rallied with NTEU leaders from around the nation.

Chapter 247 President Eddie Walker (left) and Executive Vice President Russell Bokelman walk the halls of Congress to drum up support for NTEU and its issues.

Congressman Henry Cuellar studies NTEU issues with Eddie and CBP members of the Texas lobbying team.

Congressman John Sarbanes and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer join with NTEU as the union rallies at the Capitol.

Eddie and Kansas IRS Chapter President Doug Moorman hoist a sign for the NTEU Rally.

Virginia Congressman Jim Moran, surrounded by NTEU leaders, speaks on behalf of federal employees.

Russell teams up with fiancée and St. Louis Chapter 14 leader Pam Sturm as they explain American politics to a European television crew.

NTEU's Texas delegation show their appreciation to San Antonio Congressman Charles Gonzalez.

Chapter 247 friends—Chapter 97 of Fresno—are enthusiastic about working for America.

The Chapter 247 lobbying team

Every year, during the Legislative Conference, NTEU holds a candlelight vigil to pay tribute to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees fallen in the line of duty. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial serves as the site for union members to remember the 111 employees who—over the 200 years since the founding of the U.S. Customs Service—have given their lives in service to our country.

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Labor Recognition Week 2011

As is its tradition, NTEU Chapter 247 mixed it up during its 2011 Labor Recognition Week celebration, with a combination of food, entertainment, benefits education, and legislative activity.

Executive Vice President Russell Bokelman and Chief Night Steward Mike Bunton can do just about anything if it's about service to our members.

Laurie Walker, NTEU booster and wife of the Chapter President, joins the Chapter Legislative Party at Jovita's.

Chapter 247 is the only Chapter to host Karaoke in the workplace. This year's annual contest received its usual enthusiastic response, as employees stepped up to the mike (below). Winners in the day shift competition: Steve Manning, Kelly Bailey, and Andrea Quinonez were First, Second, and Third Prize winners. At night, Collections employees Rick Peterson and Anasa Brooks tied for first place, while Daniel Barrera of ACS won Third Prize honors.

Karaoke host Murrah Noble (left) runs the show; Accounts Management employee Heather Finley steals the show.

Chapter 247 hosts karaoke in the workplace, but it's the members who are the stars.

Kelly Bailey delivers the goods and wins second prize, day shift.

During Labor Recognition Week, many employees took advantage of the union contract’s provision allowing up to one hour of administrative time to consult with advisors from Whitten and Associates about federal employee benefits (below).

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HEROES!

Employees who heroically plunged in to help their fellow IRS workers successfully escape when the Echelon Building they worked in was hit by hate—when, for a brief moment, hate ascended over Austin, only to fall and fail. From left to right, Alfredo Valespino, Morgan Johnson and Andrew Jacobson (Chapter 247 members before taking jobs in the Echelon), David Irving, and Richard Lee, along with (not pictured) Armando Valdez, Jr. and past Chapter 247 member Deborah Fleming—are honored by U.S. Congressman—and Chapter 247 mainstay Lloyd Doggett—in a ceremony at the IRS's Austin Customer Service Building, sponsored by Austin NTEU Chapters 52, 72, and 247 (below).

 

Message From Eddie Walker, President, NTEU Chapter 247, on the Echelon Attack

"NTEU Chapter 247 was shocked and emotionally shaken by Thursday's news that a plane deliberately crashed into Austin's Echelon Building filled with IRS employees. All of us are aware firsthand of the important—indispensable—job that IRS workers perform everyday on behalf of our nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of IRS collections manager Vernon Hunter, who did not survive the attack. Vern was well-known and respected by those who worked with him; Vern’s wife, Valerie Hunter, is a long-time NTEU member and IRS revenue officer. We also extend our sympathies to those who suffered injuries, and we recognize their service, as well as that of the employees and patriotic bystanders that assisted others during the aftermath. As became clear to all on September 11, 2001, IRS employees, in addition to their regular responsibilities, must live with the awareness that they can be made vulnerable to tragedies like Thursday's events.

"I was with family, out of town, on Thursday. Within an hour of the attack, I was being updated by Austin Campus Director Ken Corbin over the telephone. Although the Echelon employees are represented by another Chapter, Chapter 52, South Texas, there were countless text messages, e-mails, and telephone communications between the Chapter 247 staff and myself, and plenty to do. I spoke directly to Chapter 52 President, Trish Kelley, who shared with me much of the information that did not surface in the media for a couple more days. I would like for all of our employees to know that I received many, many messages of sympathy and concern from NTEU Chapter Leaders across the country, including those from Fresno, Kansas City, and Boston. Congressman Lloyd Doggett's staff called Chapter 247 to convey his support.

"In other words, although we were again reminded that our service as IRS employees is not without risk, there are also many who stepped forward without hesitation to demonstrate their concern for our well being, and their appreciation of our service. NTEU is currently meeting with Agency officials at the highest levels to address many of the concerns that employees have in the wake of Thursday's tragedy. We expect some positive results from these talks, and certainly we anticipate a greater awareness from all that Austin stands as an important city, an essential federal resource, and an outstanding community, which deserves to be valued and protected."

IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman (center), Chapter 72 President David Travis (left), and Chapter 247 President Eddie Walker join with Austin Campus Director Ken Corbin and IRS Deputy Commissioner Beth Tucker in a walk through of the Submission Processing Building following Commissioner Shulman's press conference in front of the stricken Echelon building in Northwest Austin.

NTEU Chapter 247 Leaders joined hundreds at an East Austin church as they gathered to honor fallen IRS colleague Vern Hunter. Click to learn more.

Read another opinion: "The Austin Tragedy and the Dangerous Myth of the IRS Out of Control," by Neil Buchanan.

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Chapter 247 Steps Up to the Plate

Chapter 247's outreach to members includes a number of events during the year, including its Chili Cookoff III (below). Last year's cookoff resulted in a contribution of $1,349 to the Red Cross on behalf of Haiti.

The revenue from the Chapter's recent "A Buck A Book Sale VIII" was pledged to aid those suffering from the twin earthquake/tsunami disasters in Japan. The book sale raised a record amount—in excess of $800—and the Chapter 247 Executive Board—President Eddie Walker, Executive Vice President Russell Bokelman, 1st Vice President Tonia Gilmore, Treasurer Karen Lorch, and Secretary Abraham Torres-Mendoza—voted to round off the donation to $1,000.

Most recently, Chapter 247 stepped up to the plate on behalf of victims of tornadoes in the Southern states, awarding the proceeds of its Mother's Day Sale to combatting that tragedy.

The Chili Cookoff consisted of day shift and night shift sessions, held in the Customer Service Building Atrium. It cost only two bucks for employees to get a taste of every contestant's chili, and then vote for their favorites. Many followed up with a full bowl of their choice for only three dollars.

The winning Chili chefs were returning champions from last year: Juan Cook, Accounts Management employee for day shift, and Anasa Brooks, CSCO employee on night shift.

Pictured below, in top to bottom order, are Anasa, Juan (left, being served by Steward Ken Murray), Campus Director Ken Corbin with Chapter 247 President Eddie Walker, and other familiar employee and management faces.

 

 

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Classic Chapter 247: PICKET! May 27, 2008

Chapter 247 has created a documentary film of its picket of employee-unfriendly actions by IRS management in

Austin, "WE WON'T BACK DOWN."  Click the link to watch or download the full film documentary of the event.

The Austin Chronicle recorded the action: "Members of Chapter 247...protested Tuesday to shed

light on their boss' refusal to allow adequate family-leave time for workers." (Photo: John Anderson)

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Check out the NTEU Chapter 247 Newsletter.  All the laughter, drama, and chutzpah of Chapter 247 have been captured and harnessed for the benefit of our bargaining unit employees. Remember: All others read at their own risk!

Visit our LINKS page to read or print out entire issues of the Chapter 247 Newsletter.