Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
The new CBA was ratified by the bargaining unit. The signing of our new CBA has been scheduled for Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 10:30 am. Employees may attend virtually or in person in the auditorium. POPA will send out the link to attend virtually closer to the event. There is no non-production time to attend this event.
POPA Annual Meeting
POPA’s 2024 Annual Meeting will be held virtually on December 12, 2024 at 3:00 pm. POPA will send out the link the week of the meeting. There is no non-production time for this meeting.
Transition
POPA has received many emails about the transition. There is not much information, but a lot of talk and rumors. The last Trump administration provoked a lot of litigation challenging the Executive Orders that curtailed collective bargaining rights and civil service protections in which POPA was a plaintiff. POPA participates in the Federal Workers Alliance (FWA) and the Federal Postal Coalition which work to protect federal employees’ rights. The FWA lawyers committee, co-chaired by POPA’s General Counsel Richard Hirn, has been meeting weekly to develop strategies for potential actions that may be needed to protect collective bargaining and the employment security of Federal employees. POPA is very much engaged in the process of necessary planning for appropriate actions.
Employees have asked where they can find information on issues affecting federal employees. One good source is Federal News Network. Many of their articles/information are also available at www.wtop.com. NARFE is a good source of information for federal benefits as well as news updates. They have webinars on many benefit topics, which are available for free to NARFE members.
Routing
POPA has started meeting with management to discuss the routing of applications to patent examiners.
When Moving (your working/living location)
If you move, in addition to changing your address in epp and your telework agreement (if you have one), employees need to make sure they review their tax forms and obligations and adjust as needed for their new location. This is also relevant if you are changing your primary telework location (where you work 50%+ from) and the new primary telework location is in another tax area. OHR will not get overpaid taxes back for you. You will be responsible for doing that UNLESS OHR made a mistake and did not properly process a form.
As a reminder: we need members to update their mailing address with POPA. The agency does not share with POPA mailing address updates that you make. These updates can be sent to popamembership@popa.org.
Federal Benefits Open Season
Open season is open now until 11:59 pm on December 9, 2024. This is the time when you can change/add healthcare coverage including dental and vision insurance and your Federal Flexible Sending Account (FSAFEDS). There is information on the USPTO web page as well as OPM Open Season.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!