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THE UNITY TEAM won a second consecutive vote of confidence with no election contest—and a fourth term for Chapter 247 President Eddie Walker. Reunite with your team on our STAFF page.

IN MEMORY of Chapter 247 Steward PAUL BENEVIDES

We miss you, Paul!

PICKET! May 27, 2008

When you're finished looking at the picket photos, click here to watch or

download the film documentary of the event, "WE WON'T BACK DOWN."

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.

Chapter 247 Steward Tonya Jones received leave, but showed

up to picket on behalf of other employees who didn't.

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

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

First Vice President Russell Bokelman uses his picket

signs to shield himself from the 96 degree heat.

Check out the NTEU Chapter 247 Newsletter.  All the laughter, drama, and chutzpah of Chapter 247 have been captured and harnessed for the advancement 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. 

Congressman LLOYD DOGGETT visited us during one of the Chapter’s yearly Labor Recognition Week observances. Go to our HIGHLIGHTS page to check out the action.

Congressman LLOYD DOGGETT chats with NTEU Chapter 247 President EDDIE WALKER

and wife LAURIE, and now-retired Chief Steward SAL MACIAS.

Chapter 247 Members! Take your cue from ex-Commissioner Everson. Get a NTEU Mug and display it proudly. Read about ex-Commish Everson's curious career below!

NTEU Chapter 247 President EDDIE WALKER with IRS Commissioner MARK EVERSON.

All Chapter 247 Members are entitled to a NTEU Mug. If you don't have yours yet, go to our CONTACT page and let us know.

"DO YOU HAVE A BEST FRIEND AT WORK? EX-COMMISSIONER EVERSON DID!"

from Chapter 247 Newsletter Issue 10. Check it out!

IRS Commissioner Mark Everson left the Agency for an impressive new job title—President and CEO of the Red Cross—only to rendezvous with national disgrace and his ouster six months later…and the humiliating offense that led to his firing was the very thing that he warned us about!

In a memo to all IRS employees regarding the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH), Everson ballyhooed the IRS’ commitment to a work environment free of sexual harassment. He boldly proclaimed, “Sexual harassment is unacceptable conduct and will not be tolerated. Such conduct, whether it is committed by executives, managers, employees or non-employees, is specifically prohibited. The IRS is totally committed to taking all necessary steps to create and maintain an environment that will ensure that no employee is subjected to such harassment.”

Cut to Everson’s next power base and stepping stone, the Red Cross. If only former Commissioner Everson had transplanted those lofty sentiments to his new position. Alas, according to The New York Post, Mark E. made his mark by “having an affair with a subordinate,” therefore triggering his sacking by the organization’s Board of Governors “after six months on the job.”  

Everson reportedly met the woman in question—identified by The New York Times as the head of a Red Cross chapter on the Gulf Coast—while the pair were traveling together in a mission to restore the reputation of the Red Cross following a less than stellar performance by the group during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. While walking amid the destruction, the couple’s focus apparently wandered. It seems tha t, among public servants at the higher levels, devastation is the new sexy.

Media accounts noted that the ex-Commish and his former employee are both married to others, with two children each. At the time the scandal broke, there was another child on the way for the woman involved.

The Red Cross board demanded and received Everson’s immediate resignation. Their statement was to the point: “The board acted quickly after learning that Mr. Everson engaged in a personal relationship with a subordinate employee. It concluded that the situation reflected poor judgment on Mr. Everson’s part and diminished his ability to lead the organization in the future.” Adding to the orgy of irony, Everson’s wife was once ethics officer in the current White House!

Everson was hired after an unusually long search by the Red Cross, which has suffered a great deal of bad press in recent years, due in large part to questionable judgment displayed by its leadership in the allocation of disaster relief. Everson’s actions were the last straw for the frustrated board.

Many IRS employees joshed that, now that Everson’s behavior had been censured by the bluenoses of the Red Cross, he could return as Commissioner, in an environment where he had previously thrived, and where hypocrisy is better appreciated!