Every chapter has moments of which they are especially proud, and Chapter 247 is no exception. And of course, there are the candid moments...

2009 NTEU National Convention, San Francisco

Chapter 247 Executive Vice President Julia Miller was elected National Vice President at the 2009 NTEU National Convention in San Francisco. Julia represents District 11 on the 2009-2011 Executive Board. Pictured from left to right: Mimi Edwards (D-9), Michael L. Peacher (D-4), Jim Littlejohn (D-3), National President Colleen M. Kelley, Jacquie Bordoli (D-7), Paul Snyder (D-12), Cathy Ziegler (D-8), Matilyn H. Hammond (D-13), National Executive Vice President Frank Ferris, Patti Stone (D-6), Gene Gambardella (D-14), Joe Acosta (D-15), Julia Miller (D-11), Pat Breitenstein (D-10), Yvonne Durden (D-1), Tony Novello (D-5), and Jack Gregory (D-2).

Chapter 247 President Eddie Walker and wife Laurie travel in style—San Francisco-style, that is.

San Francisco-area Chapters show a Texas sense of hospitality as they welcome NTEU delegates

to town.

Eddie steps up to the mike to vote on behalf of Chapter 247 members.

Here's where Management goes when they can't behave…Alcatraz lives!

Delegates to the Convention—including Chapter 247 leaders Eddie, Julia, and Russell—struck a pose in t-shirts demonstrating solidarity with employees of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). NTEU is torso-deep in the middle of an organizing campaign on behalf of unrepresented TSA employees, and NTEU members wearing TSA shirts when they travel exhibit support for workers as they pass through security checkpoints at hundreds of airports.

National Training 2009, Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas

Bugsy Siegal's foresightedness produced the Flamingo, but did he ever envision Donny and Marie headlining?

Chief Steward Arlene Flores arrives in Vegas: “What to do first?”

Okay, there are Las Vegans scaling hotel walls over our heads...we're not in Austin anymore!

Chapter 247 Stewards Scott Flatness and Ken Murray prep for a session at National Training

while Wes Walker casts a critical eye.

Vegas' Fremont Street Experience offers "the biggest big screen on the planet" with a giant overhead multimedia tribute to the 1960s, set to the song, "American Pie" (above). Eddie, Chapter 46 Vice President Candis Cardenas, and Chapter 247 Vice President Tonia Gilmore (below), are suitably blown away by the moving imagery.

What's Important…

During National Training in Las Vegas, the major topic for discussion was the new contract, the 2009 National Agreement, which will go into effect on October 1, 2009. As NTEU National President Colleen Kelley has said, "During our 2009 spring training sessions, a number of Chapter Leaders raised several issues with the contract that they thought could be clarified or changed. Over the last two months or so, we have been meeting with IRS negotiators in an effort to reach mutually agreeable language modifying certain provisions of the contract…"

The results of that effort can be seen here. Click here to check out the 2009 Contract, in effect now.

And Don't Forget…National Training 2008, Austin, Texas

NTEU National President Colleen Kelley is serenaded by a mariachi band during the

National Training Kickoff party in Austin. The celebration was sponsored by Chapter 247

along with fellow Texas Chapters 46, 52, and 72.

Active, energetic, happy in battle...in this corner...the fighting Stewards of heavyweight

Chapter 247!

NTEU National Executive Vice President Frank Ferris and Chapter 247 Chief Steward

Mike Bunton finally give into the demands of the paparazzi. Just think of Vanity Fair

and smile, fellas, you're the new rockstars!

How were we to know there was a party going on? 'Cause the Texas Chapters organized it!

And…National Training 2007, New Orleans

Four NTEU Presidents stride heavily down the neon-lit streets of New Orleans in a showdown

with destiny. Watch your back, guys!

                                              CEDAR CREEK YOUTH SOCCER !

WE ALSO SUPPORT…

The '99 TEXAS BOMBERS girls' softball team, who finished 9th in the nation

in the USFA Nationals in Panama City, FLA!

      "THANK YOU NTEU FOR YOUR DONATION!!!"

AND WE SUPPORT…The Barrientos Scholarship Fund, The Bastrop Juneteenth Celebration,

and many other deserving events and organizations.

Click here to check out Breaking News: Chapter 247's Labor Recognition Week 2009 . Will your pic be there?

Scenes from Past Labor Recognition Weeks

NTEU Chapter 247 hosted former Texas State Senator and distinguished activist Gonzalo Barrientos during

its 2008 Labor Recognition Week celebration. From left to right, Chapter 247 Chief Steward Emeritus Sal

Macias, Senator Barrientos, Chapter 247 President Eddie Walker, and Chapter 72 President David Travis.

250 people packed the Customer Service Building Atrium - upstairs and down - to hear

Congressman Lloyd Doggett pledge to continue his support for federal employees.

Congressman Henry Cuellar is another favorite guest of Chapter 247.

Chapter 247 Legislative Program

Chapter 247 supports NTEU's national legislative agenda—onsite and off. The eyes of Texas are

upon you, Congress, and you have just been stung!

Here's how Chapter 247 ropes in a member to back its legislative program. Good work,

Tera and Mike, your lobbying seems to have convinced Duane!

Here's the payoff! Julia, Eddie, and Legislative Coordinator Russell returned home from NTEU's Legislative

Conference with the coveted—is there any other kind of prize?—Power Award for 247's legislative efforts.

Chapter 247 is proposing that gasoline never cost more than $2.47…our favorite number!

Chapter 247's booksales supplies culture on the cheap—just "A Buck A Book!"