Federal Daily - August 24, 2009

ACLU Appeals TSA Denial of Job to Vet With HIV

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on Aug. 20 announced that it had appealed a decision by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to deny a job to an Air Force veteran because he has HIV. In a fax to ACLU, TSA said it denied Michael Lamarre a job as a baggage handler in order to protect his health because his lowered immune system made him vulnerable to infectious diseases at the airport. Last year, Lamarre applied online for a baggage screening position at the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., airport. He passed an aptitude test and cleared a comprehensive security review, but was required to disclose his HIV status following a March 2009 TSA interview. In a complaint filed on Lamarre’s behalf, ACLU charged that TSA was violating its own policy barring discrimination against people with disabilities. “TSA’s justifications for refusing to hire Michael indicate a lack of understanding in what it means to have HIV,” said Robert F. Rosenwald, Jr., director of the LGBT Advocacy Project at ACLU of Florida. “Michael has been employed consistently throughout the entire time he has had HIV without it affecting his ability to work.” Lamarre has lived with HIV for 19 years, ACLU said. To see more, go to: www.aclu.org/hiv/discrim/40786prs20090820.html.

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VA IG Report Finds Alleged Nepotism, Improper Bonuses

Some employees at the Office of Information and Technology (OI&T) at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) allegedly engaged in nepotism, improper hiring and inappropriate distribution of benefits to friends and family members in the form of salaries, bonuses, and educational subsidies, according to two new reports. The two studies from VA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), released Aug. 19, looked at hiring, promotion and retention activities within OI&T. According to OIG, some of the thousands of VA technology office employees who received bonuses over the past two years got them under questionable circumstances. OIG said one recently retired VA official “acted as if she was given a blank check book to write unlimited monetary awards” even though she did not have the authority. OIG said the woman, a former executive assistant to the ex-assistant secretary for information and technology, also allegedly engaged in nepotism when she improperly advocated for the hiring and advancement of an employee within OI&T. “It is deeply disappointing that any governmental official would abuse authority entrusted to them by the public,” said Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind., ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. “But it is especially disturbing when abuse of authority occurs at the agency responsible for the care and wellbeing of our nation’s veterans.”  To see more, go to: www.va.gov/oig/51/fy2009rpts/VAOIG-09-01123-196.pdf or www.va.gov/oig/51/fy2009rpts/VAOIG-09-01123-195.pdf.

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APWU Spearheads Grassroots Outreach to Keep USPS Units Open

American Postal Workers Union (APWU) members are reaching out to the public in an effort to keep open U.S. Postal Service (USPS) stations and branches that USPS has targeted for closure as a budget-cutting effort. As many as 677 offices could be shuttered. Union members collecting signatures from postal patrons—and soliciting support from neighborhood groups, churches, business organizations and elected officials—say that community support is strong, according to an Aug. 20 APWU news release posted on the union’s Web site. The union contends that many closures on the USPS list clearly do not make sense. For example, Boston Metro Area APWU Vice President Bob Dempsey pointed out that one branch slated for closure on the campus of Tufts University had 2008 walk-in revenue of $347,524, is leased from the university for $1 per year—with utilities included—and has an automatic renewal clause. A review of the targeted stations is scheduled to be completed by Oct. 2 so consolidations could be implemented at the start of the new fiscal year, APWU said. Hoping to head off closures, APWU locals also have sought information from the Postal Service through Requests for Information (RFIs) on affected branches. The RFIs have not been embraced by USPS management, said APWU Assistant Clerk Craft Director Mike Morris. “The USPS clearly is playing stall ball with our RFIs,” Morris said. “We believe that management will try to run out the clock to close these stations and contract out the work.” To see more, go to: http://apwu.org/news/webart/2009/09-098-consol_rfis-090820.htm.

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