Via Electronic Mail
Mr. Harry Andersen
Senior Human Resources Specialist
Internal Revenue Service
Washington, DC 20224
May 13, 2008
The Internal Revenue Service has designed an Advisory Insolvency and Quality
Embedded Quality initiative as well as changes to IRMs and case review timeframes.
On April 24, 2008, the Agency briefed NTEU staff and its union representatives with
respect to the Advisory Insolvency and Quality Embedded Quality initiative. On the
basis of the information provided to NTEU during that briefing and information supplied
by the Agency in response to NTEU’s information request, NTEU submits the following
initial proposals on behalf of all impacted bargaining unit employees represented by
NTEU. NTEU reserves the right to augment, change or modify these proposals.
Throughout the proposal, “Employer” or “Agency” refers to the IRS and “employees”
refers to all impacted bargaining unit employees.
1. There will be no adverse impact on employees with respect to job evaluations as a
result of the Agency’s implementation of the Advisory Insolvency and Quality
Embedded Quality initiative. Moreover, there will be no adverse impact on the
working conditions of employees as a result of this initiative, e.g. downgrades,
job loss or full time reassignment as a result of this initiative. However, if the IRS
identifies adverse impact, it will follow Article 47 to give notice to NTEU to
bargain to the extent provided by law.
2. Prior to implementing the Advisory Insolvency and Quality Embedded Quality
initiative throughout the Agency’s Insolvency division, the Agency will conduct a
pilot program that will be maintained for a sufficient period of time - not less than
six months duration - for the pilot program to generate statistically significant
data for the Agency to determine the efficacy of the initiative. Thereafter, the
Agency shall provide NTEU with such data and the parties will meet and
negotiate over whether the initiative shall be implemented throughout the
Agency’s Insolvency division.
3. Surveys and focus groups will be used to monitor and assess pilot results in
accordance with the provisions of the National Agreement and established past
practice. NTEU shall designate two individuals to participate in the design and
development of such surveys and focus groups and NTEU will be briefed on the
results of the surveys and focus groups.
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4. No later than sixty days following the execution of this Letter of Understanding,
the parties shall meet to discuss the administration of the pilot. Prior to
such meeting, the Agency shall provide a status report to NTEU concerning
the administration of the pilot. Such meetings and provision of status reports shall
continue at 60 day intervals throughout the duration of the pilot. Such meetings
will be held on an as needed basis if significant problems arise.
5.
All impacted employees will receive training appropriate to their level of
participation in the Advisory Insolvency and Quality Embedded Quality
initiative, including training on collection and ICS issues
6. Employees’ job performance evaluations will be performed consistent with the
provisions of Article 12 of the National Agreement. Employees are entitled to
review every Individual Feedback Reports/case review that is performed of their
work and be entitled to submit a rebuttal to the Individual Feedback Reports.
7. Prior to conducting formal meetings, the agency will hold conference calls with
each impacted chapter president and up to two stewards of that chapter to address
any questions the chapter leaders may have about EQ. The purpose of the
provision is to permit chapter leaders to gain knowledge of EQ before the formal
meetings are held to enable them to answer employees’ questions.
8. Chapter officials and all impacted employees will be granted three (3) hours in
which to review orientation and other EQ-related material, and the LOU, prior to
any formal meetings.
9. EQ will not change the performance evaluation process that is set forth in Article
12. In addition, EQ case reviews will serve as one factor in the appraisal process.
The case reviews should be supplemented by other things, including but not
limited to, managers’ observation of work that is not included in EQ attributes,
and office and field work observations.
10. To assess whether EQ has had an impact on employees’ appraisals, the Agency
shall provide an Organization Cumulative Feedback Report that provides quality
data by attribute, organizational measure, and at the Area level, for functional
components that have EQ.
11. The Employer shall provide each employee with a copy of this Letter of
Understanding within three days of its effective date or agency head
approval, whichever occurs first. Section 7114 meetings for the purpose of
reviewing this LOU will be held by team managers with impacted employees
within 30 days of the execution of this LOU. Moreover, either party may reopen
this agreement upon serving the other party with written notice of such intent.
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This Agreement shall become effective thirty one (31) calendar days following its
execution or upon agency head approval, whichever occurs first. This Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect until _____ .
Submitted By,
NTEU National Counsel
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