Every chapter has moments of which they are especially proud, and Chapter 247 is no exception. And of course, there are the candid moments...
- Chapter 247's Julia Miller Elected To National NTEU Executive Board!
- The 2009 IRS/NTEU Contract
- Labor Recognition Weeks: A Tradition
- National Training 2009 and more
- Sponsorship
Chapter 247: Let Us Never Fear to Negotiate!
Chapter 247's Arlene Flores, Julia Miller, and Eddie Walker join NTEU National Negotiator Raven Hall in Washington to bargain on behalf of Austin CSCO employees.
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).
Here it is—the 2009 IRS/NTEU National Agreement II. Click here to check out the 2009 Contract, in effect now.
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. Below, Chapter 52 President Trish Kelley, Armando Valdez, Jr. and Congressman Lloyd Doggett honor the heroic IRS employees—in a ceremony at the IRS's Austin Customer Service Building, sponsored by Austin NTEU Chapters 52, 72, and 247.
Labor Recognition Week 2010
As is its tradition, NTEU Chapter 247 mixed it up during its 2010 Labor Recognition Week celebration, with a combination of food, entertainment, benefits education, and legislative activity.
The Customer Service Building Atrium served as the setting for the week’s events, which included a return visit by Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett (below), who thanked the audience for “helping ensure that we can be the strongest democracy anywhere in the world, because of the fact that you do your job.” In an introduction, Chapter 247 President Eddie Walker stressed Rep. Doggett’s longtime commitment to IRS employees, calling the Congressman “the patron saint of federal employees here in Austin.”
If you're a NTEU member, Representative Doggett will be happy to answer your questions.
ACS employee Ed Johnson gets face time with the Congressman.
Chapter 247’s Member Appreciation Luncheon was more elaborate than ever, with NTEU serving up Italian cuisine this year. Meanwhile, 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). 2010’s LRW thus demonstrated the wide range of NTEU’s interests.
The Chapter's annual Karaoke Contest received its usual enthusiastic response, as employees—joined by Accounts Management Assistant Director Sam Perdue, who fearlessly proved himself “Born to Be Wild”—stepped up to the mike (below). For the first time ever, ACS employees took home all prizes in the day shift competition: Christopher Wilford, Kelly Bailey, and Patty and Ken Murray (Ken is off camera) were First, Second, and Third Prize winners. At night, Collections employees Anasa Brooks and Rick Peterson (right) scored first and second place respectively, and as the number of fingers he holds up indicates, Daniel Barrera of ACS won Third Prize honors.
Karaoke fans show their appreciation from the balcony.
ACS employees Julian Riano and Jennifer Vazquez duet.
Scenes from Past Labor Recognition Weeks
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.
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.
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.
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!
2009
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.
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 2010, Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas
Chapter 247 brought more stewards to 2010 National Training than ever before. The training is intensive, and the expertise offered can be demanding, especially to newbies—but the distractions can be formidable as well.
Chapter Officers Abraham Torres-Mendoza and Tonia Gilmore at National Training's opening session—looks like NTEU had them at "Hello!"
In between sessions, Chapter 247's Stewards moonlight as entertainers. Here Ken Murray, Sandra Little, Mae Brown, Tonya Jones, and their Revue—invoke the spirit of "Proud Mary."
Chapter 247 partners with West Coast Chapters to stage a well-attended reception at the Imperial Hotel. 247's Eddie Walker (center) joins with Customs and Border Protection Chapter 103's Doris Lau (upper left) and Fresno IRS Chapter's Jason Sisk (next to Eddie) to rev up NTEU's troops.
Perhaps it's the fault of the Las Vegas skyline that serves as the backdrop for the West Coast Region Reception that causes Kansas IRS Chapter 51 President Doug Moorman (left) to lose interest in whatever it is "The Two Mikes," Chapter 247 Chief Steward Mike Bunton and Health and Human Services Chapter 212 President Mike Roberts, are going on about.
Chapter 32's Legislative Coordinator Dave Larkin only drinks the Kool-Aid when it comes from Colorado.
Chapter 247 Stalwarts Mike Bunton, Willie Hines, and Ramona Wright pay tribute to Executive Vice President Russell Bokelman's (left) fiancée, Chapter 14 President (St. Louis) Pam Sturm, with a Texas-style serenade.
Packing in the crowd...
A Blast From The Past…National Training 2009, Las Vegas
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…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!
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!
CHAPTER 247 IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF…
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.
