10/27/05 Conference Call
There was a conference call at 11:00 today for those working at other duty stations. Here are my notes from the call:
-All active folders have been received in Milwaukee, St. Louis and Muskogee. Big “thank yous” go out to all who did the pulling and boxing.
-Access to 701 Loyola is limited. Unofficially, the building may reopen during the second quarter of the FY.
-The space in Gretna (671 Whitney Avenue) has been leased for one year with an option for an additional year. That space is 17000 sq. ft. They are also potentially renting an adjacent space with 3600 sq. ft.
-The space should accomodate 125 people to work (including work-at-homes). Those working will be phased in probably beginning with Public Contact and VRE. All options available will be used to get as many people back to work as possible to include shift work, desk sharing, etc.
-The space should be available to begin work on December 1. The secretary is looking at a proposal to extend administrative keave until December 1 (THIS HAS NOT BEEN SIGNED).
-Anyone who wants to permanently transfer to another office should notify Mr. Fillman asap and start working on the forms with the HR representative at the intended office.
-Temporary Duty Pay will continue into the near future. (Not sure what that means).
October 27th, 2005 at 1:49 pm
Hi, Lisa. I am happy to hear that the space has been leased so that we can conduct business again. Please note that I have been in touch with the Muskogee RO concerning typing hearing transcripts, but have not yet been contacted about typing any. I have also typed transcripts for the Albuquerque RO, for Little Rock, and Waco, Texas in addition to our Regional Office in the past. I don’t mean to bug you about this, but I am ready and willing to work, and would love to have something to do. If there is anything else other than typing transcripts that you think that I could do, just let me know.
Dennis Hoffmann
October 28th, 2005 at 3:37 am
During the conference call, it seems I made an incorrect reference to the COLA. Just to clarify and clear any confusion (my apology), I meant to ask if the “locality pay” for the New Orleans region would change… not the COLA. We currrent falls under the umbrella of, “rest of the U.S.” Can the N.O. housing market have an effect on locality pay? Is it also set by Congress? I’m really not clear but would appreciate feedback. I knew housing was a problem; however, I did not know there was a 2-3 month waiting list and now twice the rent. Thanks.
October 29th, 2005 at 6:22 pm
Being a former VARO NOLA employee, but having workspace at the RO, will outbased employees such as myself, Lisa Pumilia, Ellis Chavers, etc. be included in any future plans at the New Orleans RO?
December 6th, 2005 at 11:03 am
My husband has a pending claim / appeal that was being worked thru the New Orleans office at the time Katrina hit. His case, I believe, was very, very close to being ruled on.
From what I can understand here, looks like his file may have been transferred to Muskogee ( Oklahoma ??? ) or St. Louis….
How do I go about checking on the status of his claim ?
Mrs. Bobby Jones
*** - ** - 7325
December 9th, 2005 at 10:32 am
Mrs. Jones - Your husband can call toll free at 1-800-827-1000 from anywhere in the country, and he will be provided with a status on his claim. I hope this was helpful.
L. Breun