On May 19, 2010, the Department of Commerce Labor-Management Forum met. The meeting started at 1:30 p.m. and concluded at 3:30 p.m. See attached for a list of attendees.

The Management Co-Chair announced that the National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations certified the Department’s implementation plan on May 5, 2010. It was also announced that the joint efforts of management and the unions representing bargaining unit employees in the Herbert C, Hoover Building (HCHB) will result in the introduction of credit/debit card machines in the HCHB, effective Monday, May 25.

The Forum members discussed possible way to improve the cost efficiency of travel for Department employees. It was pointed out that the cost of refundable Government airline tickets is substantially higher than nonrefundable tickets purchased online from such sources as Expedia. It was suggested that the Forum look into ways to permit employee to purchase nonrefundable tickets. The matter of revising the Department Travel Handbook was referred to the Innovations Working Group to determine if any flexibility currently exists regarding the booking of trips. 

A new sub group of the Innovations Working Group was established to examine the possibility of improving the efficiency and lowering the costs of Department travel. The Co-Chairs appointed the following to the sub-group:

• Andy Winer
• May Pleffner
• Dan Sobien
• Bill Hopkins
• John Markley
• Dennis Anosike 

It was agreed that both management and labor representatives of the Forum will solicit and identify pilot programs by May 26. The Labor-Management Innovation Working Group will review and evaluate nominations in early June and make a presentation to the Forum on June 16. 

The Innovations Working Group will also monitor the progress of projects that are selected and make reports to the National Council.

Representatives from the Census Bureau suggested a pilot on telework and the barriers to teleworking, e.g., IT policies, the nature of work, etc.

A Communications Working Group was formally created with the following members:

• Dennis Anosike
• Deborah Jefferson
• David Robinson
• Howard Friedman
• Bill Schauman
• Hugh Sharkey

It was suggested that an All Hands Broadcast message be sent from the Secretary to employees of the Department publicizing the efforts of the Forum and demonstrating his support for the joint cooperative efforts of labor and management. Another suggestion was for the Co-Chairs to issue a joint Broadcast message to all Department employees seeking nominations for potential B1 pilot projects.

Several members of the Forum suggested the Forum Working Group of Metrics not wait for the National Council on Labor-Management Relations to issue its guidance but rather move forward to develop metrics for the Department. One member commented that the Department could influence how the National Council approaches the situation.

The Forum agreed to meet in June, at which time they will develop the agenda for FY 2011. After the June meeting, the Forum will meet in September, subject to the call of the co-chairs.

Simon Szykman, the Department’s new Chief Information Officer, was introduced to the Forum. He explained that the role of information technology is to support the mission of the organization. In response to a concern raised by a Forum member, Mr. Szykman expressed his willingness to look at Department level obstacles but also indicated his desire to have matters addressed at the appropriate bureau level.

The Department’s Balanced Scorecard was distributed to all members of the Forum. Questions on the role of the score card were addressed and a comment was made that it is not the only measure of effectiveness of the organization.

The agenda for the June meeting will include reports from the Working Groups on Innovation, Metrics, and Travel; as well as a briefing on the Performance Excellence Program by John Charles, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration.

Attendees: