June 5, 2009
MEMORANDUM
TO: CBP Agriculture Specialists
RE: Forthcoming Survey of NTEU CBP Agriculture Specialists
At the April 2009 NTEU CBP spring training, I asked that NTEU legislative staff meet with the CBP Agriculture Specialist stewards in attendance to discuss an NTEU-initiated legislative effort last year by the 110th Congress to address concerns of CBP Agriculture Specialists.
As you know, NTEU worked closely with the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee throughout 2008 to draft legislative language to strengthen the Agriculture mission within CBP and address other issues of concern. In September 2008, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman and Ranking Member introduced an
FY 2009 DHS Authorization bill, S. 3623, that included provisions to address concerns of CBP Agriculture Specialists, as well as authorizing the hiring of additional CBP Agriculture Specialist staff. This language will be the starting point for discussion this year and is expected to be reintroduced in the 111th Congress.
In brief, Title VIII, Subtitle B of S. 3623 includes the following sections:
· Sec. 811. This section expresses the Sense of the Senate about the importance of the mission carried out by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists in protecting the
· Sec. 812. This section requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists to hire no fewer than 195 new CBP Agriculture Specialists over the next five years.
· Sec. 813. This section requires DHS to ensure that there are appropriate career paths available for CBP Agriculture Specialists
· Sec. 814. This section directs DHS to develop a plan to enhance recruitment and retention of CBP Agriculture Specialists.
· Sec. 815. This section gives U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists and Seized Property Specialists the same enhanced retirement benefits as are given to their CBP Officer colleagues.
· Sec. 816. This section directs DHS to assess the extent and adequacy of the resources and equipment available to CBP Agriculture Specialists.
· Sec. 817. This section directs DHS to report on the status of plans to improve the agriculture inspection program and on the implementation of this subtitle.
As you can see, this legislative language seeks to address such issues as CBP Agriculture Specialists’ mission focus, staffing, career ladders, recruitment and retention, adequacy of resources, and retirement benefits.
I shared this language with the Agriculture Specialist stewards at the April 2009 spring training meeting and was gratified to receive an overwhelming number of e-mails from CBP Agriculture Specialists nationwide expressing interest in NTEU’s legislative efforts.
For this reason, I have asked that a new survey of NTEU Agriculture Specialists be developed and distributed. As you may recall, NTEU sent out a survey to CBP Agriculture Specialists shortly after NTEU was recognized as the exclusive employee representative at CBP. Unfortunately, we received very few responses. Thanks to your own recent expression of interest, I expect to see a much larger response and more clear guidance from this new survey.
Also, from reviewing your e-mails to date, I have found that your responses have primarily addressed the topic of whether or not CBP Agriculture Specialists should be armed. I am very interested in your opinion on this issue, but do want you to know that the language in Section 815 of the legislation attached extending the CBP enhanced retirement benefit to CBP Agriculture Specialists is not dependent on whether or not you are armed. There is precedent for non-armed employees, such as firefighters and judges, to be covered by 20-year retirement. NTEU plans to flesh out this issue further in the forthcoming survey as well as a broad spectrum of employee issues affecting your work as CBP Agriculture Specialists.
The survey will also seek your input on other issues as outlined in the bill language attached. NTEU plans to work closely with the House and Senate Homeland Security Committees in the 111th Congress to help draft legislation that addresses your concerns and reflects your input. I will also be coordinating this effort with your chapter president and chapter legislative coordinators. I continue to urge you to work closely with your chapter leadership on all issues of concern.
If you have any questions, please contact Jean Hutter in the Legislation Department at 202.572.5500, ext. 7021.
Colleen M. Kelley
National President
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