SSA GENERAL COMMITTEE

Representing over 50,000 SSA employees across the nation, Puerto Rico and Pacific Islands

PO Box 47638

Baltimore, MD  21244-7638

(410) 965-8863

(410) 966-7151fax

August 31, 2009

Reginald Wells

Deputy Commissioner for Human Resources

Social Security Administration

200 Altmeyer Bldg.

6401 Security Blvd.

Baltimore MD 21235

Deputy Commissioner Wells:

On June 18, 2009 John Barry, Director, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sent a memorandum to all agencies regarding hiring reform, employee satisfaction and wellness.  Mr. Berry asked Agencies to submit an action plan regarding improving employee satisfaction as part of the Agency’s Budget submission for FY 2011 by September 14, 2009.

Mr. Berry provided additional guidance regarding this matter in another memorandum of August 19, 2009.  This guidance requires Agencies to conduct follow up activities before developing their action plans.  Such follow up activities include meetings with labor organizations and conducting employee focus groups to identify reasons for employee dissatisfaction.

AFGE has not been contacted by SSA regarding this OPM requirement.  Please indicate whether SSA intends to fulfill this OPM requirement.  Also, please indicate if SSA has contacted any of the other unions which represent small segments of the SSA workforce regarding Employee satisfaction planning.  (AFGE represents over 50,000 SSA employees.)  Also, please indicate whether any SSA AFGE bargaining unit members have been part of any focus groups regarding this matter.

I am sending this on behalf of the AFGE General Committee since Spokesperson Marshall is on leave.

Sincerely,

Witold Skwierczynski

AFGE – SSA General Committee

Cc: J. Gage

       M. Astrue

       M. Beever

       GC

       AFGE LPs

       K. Howard