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NTEU's National Legislative Conference 2010, Washington, DC

"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 theme? "Organize, mobilize, deliver."

As a National Vice President, Chapter 247's Julia Miller (left) hones her DC chops, while National Executive Vice President Frank Ferris demonstrates to the conferees that he remains an old Washington hand.

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 below, "A Message From Eddie Walker, President, NTEU Chapter 247").

Chapter 247 President Eddie Walker (right) and Chapter 212 President (HHS San Francisco) Mike Roberts prepare

for the candlelight vigil.

A Message From Eddie Walker, President, NTEU Chapter 247

"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.

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

Chapter 247 members line up to help Haiti while helping their colleagues

perfect their chili-cooking skills.

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.

The winning chefs: Juan Cook of Accounts Management on the day shift, and Anasa Brooks from CSCO

on night shift.

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.

One night shift taster demonstrates her technique of laying out eight chili samples at a time.

Kenny and Joe take their sampling duties seriously.

Everyone does their part.

Pretty impressive technique.

Make more miracles happen in Haiti!

Chapter 247's Valentine's Day Balloon & Carnation Sale Is A Success!

For the past decade, Chapter 247 has continued to sweet talk its members with the language of love.Valentine's

Day merchandise has retained its affection among the young at heart, and 2010 proved to be the greatest mover

of sentiment and romantic ware yet! Both employees and management participated in this Austin Campus

tradition. Below...Chapter 247 throws its door open to love!

The Wall Of Honor

All year long Chapter 247 remembers those who came before us, and we share that history with our members...

Chief Steward Mike Bunton is happy to do his part to remind you of that history, in case you forget...

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 on!

$50 went to each winner of the contest that chose their version of the essential party song: Earl Rincon (below), 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.

NTEU President Eddie Walker (below) visited with friends.

Management joined with Chapter 247 to support the event. Accounts

Management upper management was there—led by Director Frank Jugo

and his wife, Joy (below)—and made sure that its presence was felt.

The Chapter saw that everyone got the chance to win a gift during its holiday

drawing (below).

We took far too many photos to publish here, so feel free to click here 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 (right), 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 ofbrisket.

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

NTEU members (above and below) hate to eat and run—so the heck with the running part!

Rick Peterson (above) takes home another Karaoke

title with his steamy rendition of "Steamroller Blues."

Rick Peterson shares first place, night shift, with another previous winner,

Anasa Brooks (above), who convincingly channels Gladys Knight.

   Chapter 247 uses a disco ball (below) to mesmerize the crowd (above and below).

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."  When you're finished looking at the picket photos, 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)

Chapter 247 hits the bricks in protest of Austin Accounts Management.

All-around good guy and stellar Austin singer/songwriter Mike Jasper

motivates Chapter 247 picketers with his top of the line musical talents.