The National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently reached a new agreement regarding working conditions and compensation for CBP agents. This agreement, known as the NTEU CBP National Agreement of 2017, has been in effect since June 7th, 2019.
The NTEU (National Treasury Employees Union) represents CBP employees and has been negotiating with CBP for over a year on various issues. Some of the key points of the new agreement include:
1. Pay raises: CBP agents will receive a 1.4% pay raise in 2018 and a 1.9% pay raise in 2019. In addition, they will receive a 0.5% increase to their locality pay.
2. Leave accrual: CBP agents will be able to accrue up to 240 hours of annual leave, an increase from the previous cap of 208 hours.
3. Uniform allowance: The uniform allowance for CBP agents will increase by $50 to $1,150.
4. Overtime pay: CBP agents will receive overtime pay after 10 hours of work in a day, rather than after 8 hours of work.
5. Health and wellness: The agreement includes provisions for wellness programs and increased access to mental health support services for CBP agents.
Overall, the NTEU CBP National Agreement of 2017 aims to improve working conditions and compensation for CBP agents. The agreement has been praised by the NBPC and NTEU as a significant step forward in addressing the needs of CBP agents.
As for the impact of this agreement on CBP operations and the security of the US border, it is difficult to predict. However, it is important to recognize the dedication and hard work of CBP agents and to support efforts to improve their working conditions and compensation.
In conclusion, the NTEU CBP National Agreement of 2017 represents a positive development for CBP agents and their representation. It is a step in the right direction towards improving the working conditions and compensation for those who serve to protect our borders.