Congressional Research Employees Association

The President of IFPTE has sent a letter to Members of Congress urging them to oppose the Spending Reduction Act of 2011 and other legislation recently introduced in the House.

The various pieces of legislation include these provisions:

* Extend the current freeze in federal workers’ pay
* Require a 2-week furlough of federal workers
* Cut the federal workforce by as much as 15%
* Prevent federal union officials from using official time for representational duties (i.e. standing with employees during pending adverse actions, filing grievances for violations of the contract, etc.)

CREA will be monitoring this and other pieces of legislation affecting federal workers as they develop.

 
CREA is pleased to announce that in keeping with the membership’s wishes, the following donations were made in lieu of a catered holiday party.

$333 to the Capital Area Food Bank

$333 to the Community Services Agency of the Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO

$334 to the Marines’ Toys for Tots program

Thanks to all who came to the special Holiday Edition CREA Cafe and to those who responded to our survey.

Happy New Year to all!

The results of the Holiday Party Survey are in. Eighty-three members responded. The full results are presented here. Given the final results, which were quite definitive, the Board of Governors voted to forego the traditional Holiday Party this year and, instead, make a donation to an appropriate charitable organization. CREA will keep everyone informed about its choice of organization.

However, the board did not want to lose the chance to celebrate with fellow union members, so the CREA Cafe will have a special edition with extended hours and more food than usual this Thursday, December 9. Stay tuned for an announcement.

Thanks to all the members who took the time to answer the survey and on behalf of the CREA officers, stewards, and Board of Governors, have a wonderful and safe holiday season.

CREA will hold its 35th annual meeting, Wednesday, October 13,       2 to 4 PM,  Dining Room A.

CREA is excited to announce that U.S. Representative Donna Edwards, Congresswoman representing Maryland’s 4th Congressional District, will speak at this year’s annual meeting. Congresswoman Edwards serves on both the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Science and Technology Committee. Rep. Edwards also serves on the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. Before taking her seat in the House of Representatives in June 2008, Rep. Edwards was Executive Director of Arca Foundation, where her efforts, including those to secure a “living wage” for working people and to promote labor and human rights both nationally and internationally, won her national prominence. Rep. Edwards was also a co-founder and Executive Director of the National Network to End Domestic Violence and was instrumental in helping pass the Violence Against Women Act of 1994.

Please join us in welcoming Rep. Edwards and showing our appreciation in her willingness to speak with us. She will speak shortly after 2 PM.

The meeting will also include: Treasurer’s report; President and Vice President reports; swearing in of newly elected officers; and update on contract negotiations.

 ***Also, new Membership cards will be distributed. Some Union Plus discounts (see Links below) require proof of membership AND for those who have not yet gone to the CREA Cafe to get one, the brand new CREA coffee mugs will be available to all Members in good standing. ***

  Thank You and See you There

 Dennis Roth, President

The CREA Scholarship and Loan Repayment Grant Committee is very pleased to report that every applicant in the second round of the program has been offered funding.

Loan repayment grant recipients include Cheryl Beaver, Vanessa Burrows, and Mark Keightley.

Scholarship awards include $600 to Barbara Salazar Torreon for study at Georgetown University.

CREA plans to conduct further rounds starting early in 2011. CREA encourages all members to review the program guidelines and consider applying in the next round.