The Final Definitive Word on Offers

[morgullord]

This morning, Counselor95 and I spoke with Chief Judge Cristaudo after his presentation in Atlanta. He was gracious enough to tell us that offers will commence next week, as soon as the Commissioner issues a press release announcing the hirings.

I would have posted this sooner but I did not have access to the internet until I got home a few minutes ago.

Soooo, everybody take a deep breath, exhale, and enjoy your weekend.

[southerner]

That would suggest they might not commence Monday as they will not start untill after issuance of a press release. Did CALJ indicate the release would be Monday?

[doctorwho]

Thanks Morgullord.

[morgullord]

My impression was that he is anxious to get things started but he is not certain that the press release will go out Monday; on the other hand, SSA has had some time to work on a press release...

My gut feeling is that it will be Monday.

[lawdog98]

Thanks! Great to have a specific timeframe.

Now, how to enjoy the weekend...

[judicature]

Now we will all be hitting the SSA website all day Monday instead of this one - that is, until the press release issues, and then back to ALJDiscussion Forum

[bettrlatethannevr]

Thanks to all who have shared update information the last few weeks. It really helps an "outsider" (private attorney) be able to understand and follow the process a lot better. Good luck to everyone next week.

[privateatty]

Thanks for your kind and thoughtful post morgullord. You've really been "the Man" through this gauntlet. Your Karma is deep...

[julie]

Morgullord,
Thanks so much! I came home this afternoon and saw no phone messages and my heart just sank. Then I logged on to this website and read your email. Whew! Still some hope, and I'll enjoy my weekend.

[tootsie]

So, I guess we're getting a lot closer to my anticipated guess at when offers would commence.

[Pixie]

Julie: Neither you nor anyone else should worry if you don't get a call on the first day. They will try and get in touch with as many as they can that first day, but there is no guarantee that they will get to everyone. Also, there will be declinations and they will have to move to the next person on the list. Probably not too many on this board will decline because all of you are pretty well keyed in, but others on the "outside" will decide to pass on the offer.

In the past, if there was no answer, a message would be left to call one of the people in OCALJ personnel. I imagine they will follow the same procedure this time as well. If you get the message to call back, you will know what it is about. The only question then to be answered is where!

It will now be a long weekend for all of you. Good luck on Monday, or whenever the call comes down. Pix.

[globalpanda]

Feb 22, 2008 17:32:33 GMT -5 judicature said:

Now we will all be hitting the SSA website all day Monday instead of this one - that is, until the press release issues, and then back to ALJDiscussion Forum

If you go to our website you can sign up for an email of any new press release and have it sent directly to your inbox! No fuss no muss. Use the link below, which will take you to the press relations page. There is a link on the upper right side of the page to subscribe.
www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/pressrel.htm

[happy]

Okay, so maybe this is a stupid question, but why would he announce hirings before there have actually been any hirings (i.e., offers at least made, if not all accepted yet)? I mean, he's been telling everyone who'll listen (Congress, media, etc) that SSA is in the process of hiring more ALJs. It seems like it would make more sense to announce that it's a done deal instead of another announcement saying, "Okay, yeah, now we're really on the eve of doing so."

But I'm absolutely hoping for Monday and that is actually consistent with what I heard today here in Falls Church.

[knownuthin]

Happy,
I thought the same thing. Here's a press release they can use. DATELINE Baltimore: The SSA announced today that they were getting ready to do what they said they were getting ready to do.

[morgullord]

The press release will say: ...hirings have begun... or words to that effect.

This is the way that government works. Remember that there have been very bad public relations situations regarding the backlog. SSA will take advantage of every opportunity to give itself some good press and I don't have a problem with that. Expect other press releases when the first class reports to their hearing offices, when the orientation course starts, etc.

[Litigator]

I have little doubt that the SSA Public Affairs Office had some influence as to the timing of the upcoming ALJ offers. For those of you that have never tried to influence the national media, I proffer the below insights.

For those proactively seeking favorable media attention, it is usually better to issue a press release early in the week. Also, for those seeking press coverage it is better to issue a press release when no known major events are scheduled to occur (e.g. Democratic Primaries).

SSA no doubt wants this story to "have legs." SSA doesn't want the story lost over a weekend or relegated to the inner bowels of various newspapers. So, in keeping with generally accepted PR principles, the press release will be disseminated to the national media on Monday or Tuesday. That way stories are likely to run in the media all week long.

And as indicated by SSA insiders here on our board, SSA really needs to milk this waive of ALJ hiring for all (of the good PR) that it is worth.

[Sue DoeNym]

I understand that Astrue will be before Congress on Wednesday and that he wants to be able to tell them that offers have been made.

Based upon my information from 5107, I am banking on them starting to make offers on Monday.

[Asterisk]

"I understand that Astrue will be before Congress on Wednesday and that he wants to be able to tell them that offers have been made."

and better yet, will be his saying that offers have been made and accepted!

[morgullord]

I wish to point out that everything that Chief Judge Cristaudo told Counselor95 and I on Friday morning was posted on this board several days earlier by Jagghagg.

Thoughout this process, Jagghagg has been a source of timely and accurate information; while there have been one or two minor details that have not squared with events, I certainly and not going to quibble over that for those details were very minor.

Jagghagg, I thank you for the timeliness and quality of the information you have provided to us time after time. I hope to have the honor to be an SSA ALJ with you.

[doctorwho]

The Hagg moves in mysterious ways. And, she's not a Witch at all.

Feb 24, 2008 20:17:12 GMT -5 morgullord said:

I wish to point out that everything that Chief Judge Cristaudo told Counselor95 and I on Friday morning was posted on this board several days earlier by Jagghagg.

Thoughout this process, Jagghagg has been a source of timely and accurate information; while there have been one or two minor details that have not squared with events, I certainly and not going to quibble over that for those details were very minor.

Jagghagg, I thank you for the timeliness and quality of the information you have provided to us time after time. I hope to have the honor to be an SSA ALJ with you.