Also, this is your lifeline to Upcoming and Recent Events! For instance, these headlines…

• Message From Eddie Walker, Chapter 247 President, on the Echelon Attack
• NTEU's National Legislative Conference 2010, Washington, DC
• Chapter 247's Chili Cookoff Raises $1,349 For Haitian Disaster Relief
• A Magical Night: Chapter 247's 1st Annual Holiday Party
• Chapter 247's Julia Miller Elected To National NTEU Executive Board!
• The 2009 IRS/NTEU Contract
• Labor Recognition Week 2009
• Karaoke 2009 Winners
• History made: PICKET!
• The Chapter 247 Newsletter

The Latest

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).

Congressman Doggett and Chapter 52 President Trish Kelley—head of Chapter 247's sister chapter, whose building was desecrated on February 18, 2010, by a homegrown terrorist—thank hometown hero Armando Valdez, Jr., for his intervention on behalf of his IRS colleagues.

House Resolution 1127 (left), sponsored and championed by Rep. Doggett, condemns the cowardly Echelon attack, and honors the heroism of federal employees who rose above ordinary, everyday contributions to the public good to give even more. As Congressman Doggett told his fellow Reps, "…All in the building that day were heroes, and we cannot know the names of all who acted with courage."

Chapter 247 President Eddie Walker and wife Laurie thank their friend Congressman Doggett once again for service to his Austin constituents and to America.

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.

NTEU's National Legislative Conference 2010, Washington, DC

Longtime Chapter 247 legislative activist Abraham Torres-Mendoza attends the NTEU National Legislative Conference for the first time, and fellow 247 Steward and NTEU National Vice President Julia Miller gets a demonstration of his lobbying power.

"Congratulations!" says Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett (left) to Chapter 247 Executive Vice President Russell Bokelman on Russell's engagement to Chapter 14 President (St. Louis) Pam Sturm. NTEU National President Colleen Kelley made the announcement official at the end of this year's Legislative Conference.

Chapter 247 President Eddie Walker (right) conducts serious business at a gathering of Service Center Chapter Presidents prior to the kickoff of the Legislative Conference.

Maryland's senior U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski feels the

love from NTEU Chapter Leaders attending the Legislative

Conference. The tee-shirt's theme? "Organize, mobilize,

deliver."

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. In 2010, Austin IRS employee Vern Hunter joined those recognized—his service cut short by the attack on the Echelon building (see above, "Message From Eddie Walker, President, NTEU Chapter 247").

Chapter 247's Chili Cookoff Raises $1,349 For Haitian Disaster Relief

Chapter 247 members line up to help Haiti while demonstrating some pretty

impressive techniques for sampling chili.

Thanks to the big hearts—and healthy appetites—of Austin Campus employees, Chapter 247 raised $674.85 for Haitian disaster relief…and then doubled it!

The Chapter pledged to donate all proceeds from its Chili Cookoff Part Deux on January 28  to aid those suffering from the recent earthquake. After the success of the Cookoff, 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 that the Chapter match the earnings.

As a result, Chapter 247 gave a total of $1,349 to the Red Cross on behalf of Haiti.

The 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.

Employees and managers were joined by Austin Campus Directors Ken Corbin of Submission Processing, Frank Jugo of Accounts Management, and Compliance Director Jim Clifford.  All were present to enjoy the chili and demonstrate Campus support for the people of Haiti (below).

Director Frank Jugo and Chapter President Eddie Walker exercise their palates in their roles as food critics for a day.

Directors Ken Corbin and Jim Clifford pitch in with their sampling expertise.

Their votes for best chili remain secret.

The Winning Chili Chefs:

Dayshift - Juan Cook, Accounts Management

Nightshift - Anasa Brooks, CSCO

Make more miracles happen in Haiti! Click here.

A Magical Night: Chapter 247's 1st Annual Holiday Party

Chapter 247 held its 1st Annual Holiday Party on December 12, at the Austin Marriott South. The event was the Chapter's most ambitious attempt yet to give back to its members, and the results were more fun than anyone expected (below)! Party to the people!

$50 went to each winner of the contest that chose their version of the essential party song: Earl Rincon, Margarita Cardona, Tom Eden, and Julia Miller. The ambiance was elegant, the food was great, and the DJ knew how to pick the tunes! Members brought their family and friends, and everyone was suitably impressed.Management joined with Chapter 247 to support the event. Accounts Management upper management was there—led by Director Frank Jugo and his wife, Joy—and made sure that its presence was felt. The Chapter saw that everyone got the chance to win a gift during its holiday drawing. We have over a hundred photos, too many to publish here, so feel free to click for a better look!

Chapter 247's Julia Miller Elected To National NTEU Executive Board!

NTEU National President Colleen Kelley introduces the

2009 Board to Convention delegates in San Francisco.

Click on Play to witness history.

Chapter 247 Executive Vice President Julia Miller was elected National Vice President at the 2009 NTEU National Convention in San Francisco. Julia is one of 15 National Vice Presidents representing 31 federal agencies across America. She was elected by her peers, her fellow Chapter Leaders of NTEU's District 11—the Presidents and Vice Presidents of Chapter 66 in Kansas City, of Chapter 67 in Ogden, of Chapter 72 in Austin, of Chapter 97 in Fresno, and of course, Chapter 247. When the Executive Board of NTEU meets in Washington, DC, to determine which policies it will follow, Julia will bring to the table the experience, the values, and the audacity of Chapter 247.

Julia cuts the rug with Frank Ferris, National Executive Vice President of NTEU, at the Convention (below).

Go to our HIGHLIGHTS page to check out more Convention action!

Here it is—the 2009 IRS/NTEU National Agreement II. Talk about a long-awaited sequel! Click here to check out

the 2009 Contract, in effect now.

Labor Recognition Week 2009

Only NTEU Chapter 247 has the chutzpah to stage a Karaoke Contest in the middle of a call site workplace! The annual Karaoke Contest brings a large, enthusiastic crowd of employees and managers to the Atrium during Labor Recognition Week. Again this year, employees competed during both day and night shifts for prizes, and for the sheer joy of singing or/and showing off. Robert Muraida, per usual, hosted. (See a complete list of winners below. If you can't wait, click here.)

Chapter 247 continued its tradition of feeding its members at LRW, with genuine Texas-style brisket. And at the end of the week, the Chapter hosted a Tribute to Julia Miller—Chapter 247's former Executive Vice President, and newly-elected District 11 National Vice President—in the Sweetwater room, at the Omni Hotel, just next door.

               The crowd assembles—in the Atrium, on the floor above, and in the hallways—for Karaoke.

Traditional Karaoke host—Accounts Management's Robert Muraida—warms up the crowd (left), while ACS employee and NTEU Steward, Ken Murray, further turns up the heat. Does Ken's tee shirt really say that?

Okay, not only do employees sing Karaoke, but now they're dancing in the aisles.

ACS's Kelly Bailey accepts her award for first place in the day shift Karaoke contest.

All right, already, bring on the entertainment!

Charlotte spends quality time with Accounts Management Director Frank Jugo and a plate of brisket.

Compliance Director Jim Clifford isn't from Texas, but he got here as fast as he could!

NTEU members hate to eat and run—so the heck with the running part!

Rick Peterson takes home another Karaoke

title with a steamy rendition of "Steamroller

Blues." But he shares first place, night shift,

with another previous winner, Anasa Brooks,

who solidly channels Gladys Knight.

Karaoke 2009 Winners:

Day Shift:

1st Place - Kelly Bailey

2nd Place - Charles Marvin

3rd Place - Andrea Nunez

Night Shift:

1st Place (Tie) - Anasa Brooks & Rick Petersen

2nd Place - Joanna DeLaCerda

3rd Place - Daniel Barrera - ACS

History made: 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)

All-around good guy and stellar Austin singer/songwriter Mike Jasper motivates Chapter 247 picketers

with his top of the line musical talents. See him move the masses by clicking  "WE WON'T BACK DOWN."