|
|
Post by jagvet on Sept 10, 2021 14:44:16 GMT -5
HOT OFF THE PRESS. An email just went out from FC with two messages:
1. Transfers are opening up to a small number of hearing offices, with some more cities coming later.
2. No in-person hearings in the foreseeable future.
|
|
|
|
Post by jagvet on Sept 10, 2021 14:46:31 GMT -5
Transfer openings: Region
Hearing Office
1
Portland
1
Springfield MA
2
Buffalo
2
Ponce
2
San Juan
3
Elkins Park
3
Huntington
3
Johnstown
4
Greensboro
4
Louisville
4
St Petersburg
5
Columbus
5
Indianapolis
5
Minneapolis
6
Alexandria
6
Dallas Downtown
6
Dallas North
6
Fort Worth
6
Rio Grande Valley
6
Shreveport
6
Tulsa
7
St Louis
9
Fresno
9
Honolulu
9
Long Beach
9
Moreno Valley
9
Pasadena
9
Phoenix North
9
Reno
9
San Jose |
|
|
|
Post by nylawyer on Sept 10, 2021 15:01:58 GMT -5
What an odd email. In the past they just contacted whoever was on the list for the target offices. No overture, they would launch right into the cold open.
I suppose they might be concerned that people stopped taking the transfer list seriously and they wanted to give the heads up that everyone ought get their names on the list if interested?
Could this actually mean hiring on the horizon?
And, the part that blows my mind, the PDF was labeled as the "Transfer List"- it was never actually called that, how'd that happen?
|
|
|
|
Post by ssaogc on Sept 10, 2021 15:15:14 GMT -5
HOT OFF THE PRESS. An email just went out from FC with two messages:
1. Transfers are opening up to a small number of hearing offices, with some more cities coming later.
2. No in-person hearings in the foreseeable future.
First time I ever see a chummy e-mail from the chief ALJ. Actually I do not recall when he ever sent out an email let alone with a positive tone. Has Terri left the building? after two years of no movement on transfer list and not even a peep other than saying in sworn affidavits that was the transfer list was a burden on the agency and that some of us undermine the agency’s mission we are now dedicated tenacious and selfless—ha, that is not what you said under oath. |
|
|
|
Post by hopefalj on Sept 10, 2021 15:16:01 GMT -5
What an odd email. In the past they just contacted whoever was on the list for the target offices. No overture, they would launch right into the cold open. I suppose they might be concerned that people stopped taking the transfer list seriously and they wanted to give the heads up that everyone ought get their names on the list if interested? Could this actually mean hiring on the horizon? And, the part that blows my mind, the PDF was labeled as the "Transfer List"- it was never actually called that, how'd that happen? Regardless of their reasons, I hope tripper has her office on that list! |
|
|
|
Post by ssaogc on Sept 10, 2021 15:47:44 GMT -5
In preparation for a meeting with the Acting Commissioner in July, Secretary Eddie Bauer emphasized that the transfer list (reassignment register) is of critical importance to a significant portion of the membership. Executive Vice President Matt Martin and I explained to Dr. Kijakazi that utilizing the transfer list would be seen as a good faith gesture by her and help address the serious morale crisis in OHO. Today, it was announced that the transfer list will be utilized for thirty cities. We thank Dr. Kijakazi for this effort.
Just got a Union Newsletter. Seems the acting commissioner is the one who directed the movement of this long stagnant list.
|
|
|
|
Post by tripper on Sept 10, 2021 16:07:27 GMT -5
What an odd email. In the past they just contacted whoever was on the list for the target offices. No overture, they would launch right into the cold open. I suppose they might be concerned that people stopped taking the transfer list seriously and they wanted to give the heads up that everyone ought get their names on the list if interested? Could this actually mean hiring on the horizon? And, the part that blows my mind, the PDF was labeled as the "Transfer List"- it was never actually called that, how'd that happen? Regardless of their reasons, I hope tripper has her office on that list! None of the cities in my home area are listed. 😩 |
|
|
|
Post by nylawyer on Sept 10, 2021 16:21:13 GMT -5
Regardless of their reasons, I hope tripper has her office on that list! None of the cities in my home area are listed. 😩 Well, transfers COULD beget transfers. If you want to obsess, go to the transfer list and see if there is anyone in the offices you want to go to looking to go to one of the target cities. |
|
|
|
Post by Pixie on Sept 10, 2021 16:51:45 GMT -5
I have created a new thread for this important topic. I was getting ready post this info when I saw it had already been posted. I immediately thought of our friend Tripper. Pixie
|
|
|
|
Post by sealaw90 on Sept 10, 2021 17:21:23 GMT -5
I smell a poll forthcoming??? Sorry Tripper, but I know for some people this email made their day.
|
|
|
|
Post by FrogEsq on Sept 10, 2021 17:35:11 GMT -5
I availed myself of this wonderful option several years ago and am so grateful to be home. I sorry that I have already seen one of us disappointed and am sure there are many others.
I will add that I was relieved to finally see something from the Agency re: in person hearings.
|
|
|
|
Post by pumpkin on Sept 10, 2021 17:42:16 GMT -5
I think it might be time to brush up on the details of the reassignment register. Time to pull out the union contract.
If offered a transfer, how long do you have to accept or reject the offer? If you reject the offer, what is the penalty?
If you win the lottery and accept the transfer, what is the timeframe for being expected to physically appear in your new office?
Would the continuation of telephone and online video hearings for the foreseeable future affect this timeline for physically reporting to your new office?
How would an ALJ go about discovering information about a future potential office? Assume arguendo that pumpkin wants to go to Tupelo. She does not know anyone in Tupelo. How would pumpkin find out what the management is like in Tupelo? The average size of the F section in Tupelo? Is the Tupelo hearing office infested with black mold? Does the metropolitan Tupelo area sufficiently celebrate Halloween? Pre-COVID what was the collegiality factor among ALJ‘s in Tupelo?
Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I am pretty sure that any relocation expenses are the solely the responsibility of the transferring ALJ.
|
|
|
|
Post by jagvet on Sept 10, 2021 18:40:01 GMT -5
As an obsessive observer of transfers, here are your answers, pumpkin . If offered a transfer, how long do you have to accept or reject the offer? You first get an email to the effect of, "If offered a transfer to City X, would you accept?" You have a couple of days to respond. It's not an offer If you say no, your name stays on the list for next time that city comes up. If you say yes and then reject an offer later, your name is removed for that city. If you win the lottery and accept the transfer, what is the timeframe for being expected to physically appear in your new office?It was 45 days, but I have heard of extensions for good cause. Would the continuation of telephone and online video hearings for the foreseeable future affect this timeline for physically reporting to your new office?I don't know. H ow would an ALJ go about discovering information about a future potential office? Search this Board for discussions about the office. Contact Board members who discuss that city. Contact people on the transfer list seeking to leave and ask them why. I am pretty sure that any relocation expenses are the solely the responsibility of the transferring ALJ.Correct. No relo is paid. |
|
|
|
Post by nylawyer on Sept 10, 2021 21:08:34 GMT -5
In preparation for a meeting with the Acting Commissioner in July, Secretary Eddie Bauer emphasized that the transfer list (reassignment register) is of critical importance to a significant portion of the membership. Executive Vice President Matt Martin and I explained to Dr. Kijakazi that utilizing the transfer list would be seen as a good faith gesture by her and help address the serious morale crisis in OHO. Today, it was announced that the transfer list will be utilized for thirty cities. We thank Dr. Kijakazi for this effort. Just got a Union Newsletter. Seems the acting commissioner is the one who directed the movement of this long stagnant list. So, then it would seem the reason we all got an email announcing the intent to work the transfer list (as opposed to just working the transfer list as was typically done in the past) is because the agency didn't just want to transfer people- they wanted to be SEEN transferring people. Which is fine for those awaiting transfers who get to benefit, but may not bode as well for those hoping this is the first step towards hiring. |
|
|
|
Post by tripper on Sept 10, 2021 21:53:41 GMT -5
I think hiring is a bit down the road. It’ll take some time to figure out phone/OVH/in person hearing requirements and then still work the transfer list prior to hires.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mister Atkins on Sept 11, 2021 10:36:56 GMT -5
In preparation for a meeting with the Acting Commissioner in July, Secretary Eddie Bauer emphasized that the transfer list (reassignment register) is of critical importance to a significant portion of the membership. Executive Vice President Matt Martin and I explained to Dr. Kijakazi that utilizing the transfer list would be seen as a good faith gesture by her and help address the serious morale crisis in OHO. Today, it was announced that the transfer list will be utilized for thirty cities. We thank Dr. Kijakazi for this effort. Just got a Union Newsletter. Seems the acting commissioner is the one who directed the movement of this long stagnant list. So, then it would seem the reason we all got an email announcing the intent to work the transfer list (as opposed to just working the transfer list as was typically done in the past) is because the agency didn't just want to transfer people- they wanted to be SEEN transferring people. Which is fine for those awaiting transfers who get to benefit, but may not bode as well for those hoping this is the first step towards hiring. Optics are important, especially given what we've seen over the last several years. |
|
|
|
Post by hopefalj on Sept 11, 2021 13:55:05 GMT -5
Regardless of their reasons, I hope tripper has her office on that list! None of the cities in my home area are listed. 😩  |
|
|
|
Post by nylawyer on Sept 11, 2021 15:09:39 GMT -5
So, then it would seem the reason we all got an email announcing the intent to work the transfer list (as opposed to just working the transfer list as was typically done in the past) is because the agency didn't just want to transfer people- they wanted to be SEEN transferring people. Which is fine for those awaiting transfers who get to benefit, but may not bode as well for those hoping this is the first step towards hiring. Optics are important, especially given what we've seen over the last several years. Not necessarily disagreeing, I was just contrasting this email with how transfers have been handled in the past and speculating that this would not necessarily be tied to imminent hiring. |
|
|
|
Post by jagvet on Sept 12, 2021 13:09:36 GMT -5
This is a welcome development, even for a skeptic like me. Previous commissioners and acting commissioners would treat staff with suspicion (maybe justifiably some times) because the career people were always suspicious of staff. Why not resume transfers? Most ALJ work other than hearings is remote, so why not allow people to move, AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE, to another place so that when in-person hearings resume, you have judges with an easy commute where they would like to live?
It's both a kindness to ALJs who want or need to move, and a savvy way of keeping those who would otherwise resign or retire, meaning shortages and lots of new hiring.
I think Union leadership finally made some headway with the new Acting Commr. This is a win-win.
I still say not to expect too many changes from a new Commish, but who knows?
|
|
|
|
Post by dshawn on Sept 12, 2021 14:02:59 GMT -5
I don’t get on here much anymore, but this seems to be a positive move in the right direction for my friends at SSA. I hope it is a harbinger of even better news on the hiring front in the near future. No movement in this regard at OMHA, as far as I know. Fingers crossed for all who hope to get home (or at least closer to) and those looking for other opportunities to open up.
|
|
