The American Federation of Government Employees has reached a new labor agreement with the Small Business Administration covering some 2,000 employees.
According to AFGE, the new three-year master agreement takes effect immediately and includes: a flexible work schedule to allow employees to work four-day, 40 hour weeks; a process designed to make it easier for employees to weigh in on approval for telework; awards for employees who have been with the agency for five years at a time and who suggest ways to improve the agency or whose performance merits praise; expanded transit subsidies; and, an expedited arbitration process — including for employees who are denied within-grade increases.
Managers, employees and union officials will be trained together on implementation of the contract, AFGE said.