Delegates Designate Retention of Federal Health Benefits a ‘Top Priority’

On the fifth and final day of the convention, delegates reaffirmed their commitment to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP) by voting “yes” to a resolution that would make retaining union members’ right to participate in the plan a “top priority” for negotiators during 2010 bargaining.

The assembly also approved additional resolutions to reduce the hardships associated with excessing: Delegates voted in favor of measures to grant excessed employees seven days to decide whether to retreat.

In addition, delegates also voted in favor of proposals to negotiate greater restrictions on the rights of employees acting as temporary supervisors to bid on bargaining unit positions.

The convention also adopted measures urging negotiators to bargain for improvements to the clothing allowance program.