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 NASCOE extends a special Invitation
for you to join a fine Organization
NASCOE Represents “Loyalty, Service, Courtesy, & Effort”
What is NASCOE?
www.nascoe.org
In 1958 county office employees organized state
associations to work for employee benefits. In early 1959, the State Associations
formed the National Association of County Office Employees. NASCOE is the national
affiliate of the various state associations. A Board of Directors composed of two
members from each state governs it. An executive committee is the executive arm of
the Board of Directors. Dues are nominal and are paid through an individual’s
state association.
Our objectives are to assist in every way possible to
assure successful operation of FSA and the attainment of FSA’s objectives, to
cooperate with other groups and organizations, to conserve and improve our soil resources,
to secure equitable salaries, working conditions, and retirement provisions for all FSA
county office employees and to promote the professionalism of our employees.
Since 1962, NASCOE has been granted exclusive recognition
to represent full-time county office employees in negotiation with management on terms of
employment and working conditions.
Membership
Any county level FSA employee who is serving under
permanent appointment is eligible to become a member of NASCOE. In order for a candidate
to become a NASCOE Member, they must first meet the eligibility criteria and submit dues
to their respective state affiliate organization, which must forward the individuals
NASCOE dues to the NASCOE Secretary Treasurer. For those other than permanent county level
FSA employees, Associate Membership is available – see below.
Honorary Life Membership
Members of a state association since the second year of
formation or from the first full membership year of employment until retirement and an
annuity is earned will be eligible to receive an Honorary Life Membership.
Associate Membership
Many state office employees, county committee members,
District Directors, temporary employees and retired employees, and friends choose to
participate in and support NASCOE as an Associate Member. Associate Members share in
the same benefits available to regular members and reap the rewards of NASCOE’s
active legislative work on program delivery and federal employee issues.
Exclusive
Benefits for NASCOE Members
The Following Benefits Offered Through J.M.
Marketing, Inc.;
- Cancer & Intensive Care Insurance
- Accident & Disability Benefits
- Life Insurance, Heart Attack, Stroke, and Final Expense
Polices
- Supplemental Health & Hospitalization
- Long Term Care through Mutual of Omaha
- Pre-Paid Legal Services
- Eye Care Discounts through Specs Vision
- Prescription Drug Card
Please call J.M. Marketing at 1(800) 330-6223 or visit
their web site at www.jmmarketing.biz for more
details about the above policies and benefits
Anheuser-Busch Theme Park Club
- Discounts at Sea World, Busch Gardens, Cypress Gardens
Six Flags Family Parks Discount Coupons
- Discounts to Six Flags Parks throughout the U.S. –
Includes Hurricane Harbors, Water Worlds, and Magic Mountains
**Please Request Discount Coupons through your State and
Area Benefit Chairs
Agricultural Federal Credit Union
Legal Services for NASCOE Members
Liability Coverage for State Affiliates during
NASCOE related functions.
- Wright & Company 1(800) 424-9801
Professional Liability Coverage
NASCOE Travel Co-op Program
NASCOE extends a
special invitation
for you to join our organization
NASCOE Accomplishments:
During the 1960’s
- Government Life Insurance
- Civil Service Retirement
- Severance Pay
- Increased Leave Earnings
- Transfer Employment into USDA without loss of grade, leave
or tenure
- Pay Increases – Timed with Civil Services
During the 1970’s
- Reclassification of CED’s and PA’s
- Secured “Saved Grades” where grades were reduced
due to reduction in workload and/or reclassification.
- Credit for past County Office experience in lieu of
education for CED training positions.
- Vacancies in jobs above the County Office level now released
to the County Office.
- Secured a Washington consultant to represent interest of
County Committee employees.
During the 1980’s
- Grievance Procedure
- Travel Co-op and NASCOE Travel Service
- Scholarship Program
- Legislative Fund
- Eye Wear service discount
- Advertising Program Assistant vacancies to County Offices
within the state
- Magic Kingdom Club Card
- Passage of Transfer Bill
- Supplemental Insurance on payroll withholding
- Upgrading of PA job description
- Negotiated with Management for a significant increase in
number of Grade 12 offices.
During the 1990’s
- PA reclassification approved
- CED reclassification approved
- CPA reclassification eligible for upgrades
- Lead PA grade increase in shared management offices
- Compressed work schedule made available
- ASCS/FSA Awards Program increased 500%
- Donor Leave Program Implemented
- Grievance procedure reintroduced in handbook procedure
- Appeals procedure information available to those needing
- Scholarship program increased
- Legislative program improved
- Maxi-flex Implemented
Recent
Accomplishments of NASCOE
Through Negotiation & Consultation with FSA Management
Each year, NASCOE meets with FSA Management to negotiate or
consult items submitted by members of NASCOE. Throughout the years, NASCOE has
successfully negotiated member’s concerns. Some of the more recent accomplishments
include:
1995
- FSA agreed to establish a Classification Task Force to
continue to work on a new method of classification where grades are based on knowledge,
skills, ability and complexity instead of workload. To bring CED grades more in line with
other similar management positions in USDA, the grade CO-10 was eliminated and all CO-10
CED’s were upgraded to CO-11.
- FSA agreed to have a classification task force develop a new
method of grade determination based on knowledge, skills, and ability.
1996
- NASCOE requested that the CED job description be expanded to
include Ag Credit responsibilities.
- With the Agency downsizing and budget constraints, NASCOE
expressed the need for an employee buyout and/or early retirement options. The
buyout was offered in 1996 and 1997.
1997
- CED Classification system implemented removing management
grades from being determined totally by the workload report. Most CO-9 CED’s
upgraded.
- With the changing environment of the agency, NASCOE
requested that FSA rescind the rule requiring that a CED remain in their first county for
18 months.
1998
- NASCOE requested and management agreed for cross training of
all FSA programs including FLP.
- Before 1998, GS and CO were treated differently when it came
to awards and performance ratings. NASCOE fought to achieve parallel benefits
between CO and GS with regards to awards and performance.
1999
- NASCOE requested that Maxi-flex be implemented. FSA
agreed to offer this alternative work schedule to CO employees.
- NASCOE requested and management agreed to allow two
CPT’s in large shared management counties.
- CED’s in shared management offices received laptops per
NASCOE’s request.
2000
- NASCOE accomplished a significant increase in CED upgrades
including all remaining CO-9 CED’s.
- NASCOE accomplished reconsideration of all county office
closures
2001
- NASCOE got CO and GS employees on a level playing field when
competing for federal jobs
- NASCOE got loan approval authority for CO employees who
complete training
2002
- NASCOE negotiated with FSA to ensure that suspensions
pending investigation will occur only when credible evidence is produced.
- NASCOE got NAP added under the Program Variety element and
soybean/oilseeds added under the Crop Production element in the CED Classification and Pay
Plan.
- NASCOE got all FSA employees, their family members, and
County Committee Members eligible to apply for direct and guaranteed loans through FSA.
Each Year
- Yearly cost of living and locality pay – Each year
NASCOE must request that CO employees receive the COLA that other federal employees
receive.
Recent
Legislation in Effect
with NASCOE’s Support
- The Friendly Family Leave Act – Allows
employees to take sick leave to care for ill family members or to attend a funeral of
close family members.
- Passage of the Hatch Act reforms –
Allows CO and GS employees more freedom to work on Political Campaigns.
- Increase of two new TSP Funds –
International Stock Index Fund and a Small Cap Fund.
- Rights to Withdraw TSP Funds – Funds
can now be withdrawn at 59 ½ years of age.
- Federal Retirees will receive COLA’s in January
of effective year
- Employee Transfer Rights – Allows CO
employees to apply for GS positions without losing status.
- The Transfer Bill – Allows CO
employees to transfer to GS positions without losing step in grade.
- 2002 Farm Bill – Allows CO employees
the right to loan approval authority and makes all FSA Employees, County Committee
Members, and their families eligible to apply for direct and guaranteed loans through FSA
Future Goals of
NASCOE
- Establish and project a sense of pride in FSA and the NASCOE
organization.
- Strive to protect and improve benefits that employees
currently have.
- Continue to work toward PT and CED upgrades and other
benefits with a priority on those who have waited the longest on these improvements.
- Emphasize the need for training to improve the image and
ability of FSA & NASCOE people to serve this national agriculture community.
- Work for and actively pursue good working relationships
among employees of all USDA agencies.
- Seek benefits and privileges that are equal to those enjoyed
by other federal employees.
- Continue to work with and support the County Committee
System and the National Association of Farmer Elected Committees (NAFEC).
- Continue to work and support Commodity Groups in promoting
agriculture throughout the nation.
- Keep NASCOE members and potential members informed about
NASCOE activities
- Strive to attain proper staffing levels for the county
offices
- Strive for 100% Membership of FSA employees in NASCOE.
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