R 111749Z SEP 09

SUBJ: ALL HANDS - CG MODERNIZATION AND COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING WITH UNIONS
1. I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE COMPLETION OF OUR
COLLECTIVE UNION BARGAINING FOR OUR CURRENT MODERNIZATION
EFFORTS.  THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK
WITH THE CONGRESS TO OBTAIN THE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY TO
FULLY IMPLEMENT MODERNIZATION.  IT IS FITTING THAT ALL
NEGOTIATIONS WERE COMPLETED SHORTLY BEFORE THE LABOR DAY
WEEKEND SINCE THAT HOLIDAY IS A TRIBUTE TO ALL THOSE
WORKERS WHO CONTRIBUTE SO MUCH TO MAKE OUR NATION STRONG
AND PROSPEROUS.
2. ONE OF THE GOALS OF MODERNIZATION IS TO IMPROVE OUR
BUSINESS PROCESSES SO WE CAN BETTER PERFORM OUR MARITIME
SAFETY, SECURITY AND STEWARDSHIP ROLES.  TO DO THIS, THE
COAST GUARD NEEDS TO LEVERAGE THE TALENTS OF EVERY MEMBER
OF OUR FAMILY - ACTIVE, RESERVE, AUXILIARY AND CIVILIAN.
WITHOUT EACH OF YOU, THE COAST GUARD WOULD NOT BE AS
SUCCESSFUL AS WE ARE TODAY.
3. OUR CIVILIAN WORKFORCE PLAYS A CRITICAL AND SUSTAINING
ROLE IN THE DELIVERY OF COAST GUARD SERVICES.  THEY ARE
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS AND OFTEN A KEY SOURCE OF CONTINUITY
AS MILITARY PERSONNEL ROTATE DURING TRANSFER SEASONS,
ENABLING US TO REMAIN ALWAYS READY TO EXECUTE OUR MISSIONS.
OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH MANY OF OUR
UNION REPRESENTATIVES TO ADDRESS THEIR CONCERNS.  THROUGH
COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE COAST GUARD AND THE UNIONS,
AGREEMENTS WERE REACHED ENABLING THE STAND-UP OF THE SHORE
INFRASTRUCTURE LOGISTICS CENTER (SILC), C4IT SERVICE
CENTER, PROPOSED OPCOM (AND ASSOCIATED STAFFING CHANGES AT
D5), NEW CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONAL ALIGNMENT, FINANCIAL
SERVICE DETACHMENT OF THE FINANCE CENTER, ASSET PROJECT
OFFICE (APO), FORCECOM (AND ASSOCIATED STAFFING CHANGES AT
D11), COAST GUARD-WIDE RESERVE FORCES READINESS SYSTEM
CHANGES, PERSONNEL SERVICE CENTER (PSC), PROPOSED DCMS AND
DCO HEADQUARTERS CHANGES, LEGAL SERVICE CENTER AND AREA
NUMBERED STAFFS.
4. THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE THE RESULT OF THE HARD WORK OF
MANY WITHIN THE COAST GUARD AND THE UNIONS.  I AM GRATEFUL
TO THE COMMITTED PEOPLE AT ALL LEVELS WHO GAVE THEIR TIME
AND TALENT TO VETTING THE PROPOSED CHANGES AND FOR SERVING
ON MULTIPLE WORK-GROUPS IN ADDITION TO THEIR NORMAL
RESPONSIBILITIES.
5. MODERNIZATION WILL BENEFIT ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES AS WE
STRIVE TO MEET THE MARITIME CHALLENGES OF THE 21ST CENTURY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO THE COAST GUARD AND OUR
GREAT NATION.
6. VICE ADMIRAL DAVID PEKOSKE SENDS.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.