Foreign Service Journal - September, 2009

55-70_FSJ_0909_AN:firstlook  8/25/09  11:44 AM  Page 56

A F S A

AFSANE WSBRIEFS

N E W S

AFSA Scores Legal Victory on
Behalf of Senior FSOs

In an unequivocal, strongly worded decision, the Foreign Service Grievance Board has determined that the director general of the Foreign Service was in error in denying a large number of Senior Foreign Service employees consideration for senior performance pay in 2007. The board has ordered the department to undertake a review of the files of all those affected and to set up a reconstituted SFS Performance Pay Board within 60 days, using the same standards as would have applied in 2007.

This important determination is a firm rebuke to recent decision-making at the department. It means that, based on the statistical average, some 60 percent of the affected group should be getting the performance-pay salary increase; a smaller percentage might also be eligible for lump-sum performance pay bonuses. For those who get the salary adjustment, it will be paid retroactively to cover the past two years. The basis for the Grievance Board’s decision is applicable to those Senior Foreign Service employees who were not considered for senior performance pay in 2008. AFSA therefore expects the department to hold reconstituted promotion boards for this group of employees, as well.

AFSA Makes Internal
Staff Changes

The State Department has six months to appeal the board’s decision, but is not expected to do so. “Given the strength of the grievants’ case and the soundness of the board’s decision,” explains AFSA General Counsel Sharon Papp, who represented the grievants, “we would be surprised if the government agrees to appeal the case.”

For more information, take a look at the FSGB Web site at www.fsgb.org and reference the Record of Proceedings number, which is FSGB Case No. 2008-040.

AFSA has made some internal changes designed to optimize operations. AFSA staff members Barbara Berger, Tom Switzer and Asgeir Sigfusson have linked into a new team structure called Communications, Marketing and Outreach. “AFSA is placing greater emphasis on forging deeper links with the private sector, public policy decision-makers and the media, and this team was created to advance these goals,” says Executive Director Ian Houston. Additionally, Alicia Campi, previously of the FSJ staff, has joined the accounting department to enhance this critical AFSA function.

AFSA Welcomes New
Legislative Director
Casey Frary, AFSA’s new legisla-
tive director, arrives with a wealth of
Hill experience. She has worked as a
senior legislative assistant for Repre-
sentatives Phil Hare, D-Ill., and Steve
Kagen, D-Wis., and as a legislative
correspondent and systems adminis-
trator for Representative Jan Scha-
kowsky, D-Ill. In addition, she was
the campaign manager for Rep.
Kagen’s successful re-election cam-
paign in 2008. Originally from
Rockford, Ill., and holding dual Irish-
U.S. citizenship, Ms. Frary graduated
from Marquette University in 2004
with a degree in communications.
Her hobbies include golf, music, rock
climbing, travel and cheering for the
Marquette basketball team.

How to Contact Us:

AFSA HEADQUARTERS:
(202) 338-4045; Fax: (202) 338-6820
STATE DEPARTMEN T AFSA OFFICE:
(202) 647-8160; Fax: (202) 647-0265
USAID AFSA OFFICE:
(202) 712-1941; Fax: (202) 216-3710
FCS AFSA OFFICE:
(202) 482-9088; Fax: (202) 482-9087
AFSA WEB SI TE: www.afsa.org
FSJ: journal@afsa.org
PRESIDEN T: johnson@afsa.org
STATE VP: hirschdm@state.gov
RE TIREE VP: rghoudek@aol.com
USAID VP: fzamora@usaid.gov
FAS VP: henry.schmick@fas.usda.gov
FCS VP: keith.curtis@mail.doc.gov

Staff:

Executive Director Ian Houston: houston@afsa.org

Governing Board:

Business Department

Controller Kalpna Srimal: srimal@afsa.org

PRESIDEN T: Susan R. Johnson

Accounting Assistant Cory Nishi: cnishi@afsa.org

STATE VP: Daniel Hirsch

Accounting and Administration Assistant Alicia Campi: campi@afsa.org

USAID VP: Francisco Zamora

Labor Management

General Counsel Sharon Papp: papps@state.gov

FAS VP: Henry Schmick

Labor Management Attorney Zlatana Badrich: badrichz@state.gov

FCS VP: Keith Curtis

Labor Management Specialist James Yorke: yorkej@state.gov

Grievance Attorneys Neera Parikh: parikhna@state.gov and

Holly Rich: richhe@state.gov

Office Manager Christine Warren: warrenc@state.gov

RETIREE VP: Robert Houdek SECRE TARY: F.A. “Tex” Harris TREASURER: Andrew Winter

USAID Senior Labor Management Adviser Douglas Broome: dbroome@usaid.gov Member Services

Member Services Director Janet Hedrick: hedrick@afsa.org

Member Services Representative Michael Laiacona: laiacona@afsa.org Web Site & Database Associate Geron Pleasant: webmaster@afsa.org Administrative Assistant Ana Lopez: lopez@afsa.org