In an effort to reach agreement on the remaining contract articles, NTEU and CBP recently met with the Federal Service Impasses Panel (FSIP), which is charged with resolving labor disputes between federal agencies and unions. Despite NTEU’s best efforts, not one new article was signed after this three-day session with the FSIP’s Executive Director.

The Executive Director began the efforts by working with the parties to identify every dispute in the outstanding articles and then to weigh which articles are easiest and most difficult to resolve. Although management claimed there were six easily-resolved articles, this proved to be untrue. For example, CBP put one of the articles in this category because it expected NTEU to simply drop all of its demands.

Much of the time was spent on the awards article with NTEU continuing to oppose management's demand for the unilateral right to decide who will get a permanent three-percent Quality Step Increase, the criteria for granting cash awards and amounts, and the right to grieve decisions. Every conversation about the unresolved articles—from awards and reassignments to scheduling and leave—is about something important to CBP employees. With this in mind, NTEU is doing everything in its power to secure the best agreement possible for employees.

The FSIP’s Executive Director scheduled the two final days of mediation for the second week in July. Articles not resolved at that time will be put before an arbitrator to decide and issue a final and legally-binding order. Prior to this hearing, scheduled for late July, NTEU will have an opportunity to present arguments and evidence supporting why the union's proposals are better than management’s.