(December 17, 2024) On December 5, 2024, the NOAA Attorneys Guild Collective Bargaining Agreement passed agency head review, finalizing NAG’s Third CBA.
This CBA was accomplished by NAG’s long-time leader and statesman, Mitch MacDonald, and new Chair, Jonelle Dilley, after three years of informal negotiation with OGC management. In a great sign of support, it was ratified unanimously by over 3/4 of NAG’s Union members.
This CBA updates long-standing procedural protections, adds new protections, and incorporates or maintains NAG’s core MOUs, such as Telework, Remote Work, and Professional Development Programs.
With this foundation, this CBA will keep NOAA’s Office of General Counsel a strong, supportive workplace that values work-life balance, diversity, and professional development. This will enable BU members to continue to provide superb legal support for our NOAA clients.
Highlights from NAG’s Third CBA
Article 1 recognizes all MOUs, agreements, and past practices consistent with this CBA, meaning the continuation of Telework and Remote Work Program MOUs. Management will still be required to reserve 1.5% of salary and benefits for Awards purposes.
Article 5, Rights of Employees, includes a provision confirming that under NAG, BU-members are non-policymaking positions. This provision acknowledges current regulations identifying that Schedule A appointees, like attorneys, have civil service protections.
Article 7, Union Representation, and Article 8, Union Use of Facilities, continue to ensure that our BU Chair, Vice Chair, and Stewards are granted a minimum amount of official time per pay period and confirm the Union’s ability to use government equipment, software, and facilities.
Article 15, Reductions in Force, provides that management will seek authorization for early retirement or voluntary separation pay in cases where RIFs are proposed and provides an opportunity for voluntary transfers.
Article 16, NAG’s Promotions Agreement is now in the CBA. This MOU has been essential to help bargaining members achieve promotions on par with many of our federal agency attorney colleagues.
Article 17 includes existing Professional Development and Honors Attorney Programs and a new Pro Bono Program.
Article 19, Leave, includes recently enhanced leave provisions such as Safe Leave and Wellness Leave.
Article 21 incorporates our Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Task Force provisions, allowing us to continue this group’s focus on these issues for the duration of this CBA.
Article 24 has a new Safety and Health section that allows for establishing a Health Awareness Team to make recommendations on implementing programs, policies, or procedures to address mental and physical health needs.
Article 34 is a new Article that addresses Employee Publications, Presentations, and Other Outside Activities with provisions tailored to typical attorney and legal publications/activities.
An electronic copy of the OGC-NWSEO Collective Bargaining Agreement, updated December 05, 2024, can be found on our website.