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CIVMAR News
Union, MSC Continue CMPI Negotiations
November 2002

The union and the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) have been negotiating changes to the Civilian Marine Personnel Instruction provisions (CMPI) over the past several months, as reported in previous issues of the Seafarers LOG. Most recently the union and MSC have been working on Instruction 553, Allotments of Pay and Instruction 750, Discipline. Instruction 750 is one of the largest and most significant sections of the CMPI and includes processes and procedures for employees who may face minimum disciplinary action such as a logging, up through discharge proceedings. This section involves such topics as oral reply rights, employee representation during disciplinary matters and who will have the authority to determine a penalty to address misconduct. The Command has proposed many changes to the CMPI involving disciplinary matters. The union believes that many of these changes will have a detrimental impact on CIVMARS who may face disciplinary action during the course of their careers. The SIU expects that these negotiations will be prolonged. To continue with negotiations, union representatives will submit a complete set of counter proposals to the agency. These counter proposals will include more comprehensive language that protects the rights of mariners who may face disciplinary measures. Once proposals have been exchanged, the parties will meet in Virginia Beach, Va. to complete negotiations on this subject.

‘Open Season’ for Federal Workers’ Health Benefits Plan Starts Nov. 11 Beginning Nov. 11, mariners working for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Army Corp of Engineers and the Military Sealift Command (MSC) will have a chance to review their health benefit coverage and change to a new provider. The “open season” runs through Dec. 9, 2002. Choosing a health plan to meet your needs and the needs of your family is one of the most important decisions you can make. Premiums for HMO’s and Fee for Service Plans offered through the program are expected to increase an average of 11 percent in 2003. Mariners who only have coverage for themselves will pay approximately $4.45 additional per pay period. Mariners who select family coverage will pay approximately $10.21 more per pay period. In 2003, employees will have 188 plan choices so it is important to get as much information as you can about your current plan coverage and how it compares to other plans in the program. The Office of Personnel Management web site contains a great deal of information to help make this very important decision. It includes a complete description of plan offerings, the 2003 premiums, plan changes for 2003, a guide to choosing quality health care, health plan report cards and satisfaction surveys. The site can be found at http://www.opm.gov/insure/health You can also receive health plan comparison information and prices in book form by contacting Washington Consumer Checkbook, 733 15th Street NW, Suite 820, Washington, DC or at 800-213-7283, or at http://www.checkbook.org/