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Date
The Honorable ___________________
(Look up the address on the Internet)
(It should be a Local Office)
Dear Senator ________________________:
Through the Fiscal Year 2010 budget process the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting have proposed a reduction to the OCB budget of $4.2 million thus initiating the virtual elimination of the TV Marti News Department and a reduction-in-force of between 30 and 40 federal employee positions.
The BBG/OCB argues that by replacing the comprehensive news programs with five minute news briefs a larger audience will be attracted to TV Marti broadcasts and operational efficiency will be increased by allowing for a reduction in the budget and staffing. However, the problem with audience size has always been related to the difficulty of transmitting a terrestrial TV signal into Cuba and has had little to do with the programming.
A more productive way of creating “operational efficiency” would be to cut the AeroMarti project which has not proven to be effective. That would save $6 million a year and the OCB would retain its comprehensive news programming and its News Department. The News Department would provide content for satellite TV transmissions as well as video for the Internet, iPods, and cellphones.
I encourage you to contact Senator Patrick Leahy and ask him to include a provision in the Broadcasting Board of Governors FY 2010 budget that prevents the reduction of the TV Marti News Department and the proposed unnecessary reduction-in-force.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Address)
Date
The Honorable ___________________
(Look up the address on the Internet)
(It should be a Local Office)
Dear Representative ________________________:
Through the Fiscal Year 2010 budget process the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting have proposed a reduction to the OCB budget of $4.2 million thus initiating the virtual elimination of the TV Marti News Department and a reduction-in-force of between 30 and 40 federal employee positions.
The BBG/OCB argues that by replacing the comprehensive news programs with five minute news briefs a larger audience will be attracted to TV Marti broadcasts and operational efficiency will be increased by allowing for a reduction in the budget and staffing. However, the problem with audience size has always been related to the difficulty of transmitting a terrestrial TV signal into Cuba and has had little to do with the programming.
A more productive way of creating "operational efficiency" would be to cut the AeroMarti project which has not proven to be effective. That would save $6 million a year and the OCB would retain its comprehensive news programming and its News Department. The News Department would provide content for satellite TV transmissions as well as video for the Internet, iPods, and cellphones.
I encourage you to contact Representative Nita Lowey and ask her to include a provision in the Broadcasting Board of Governors FY 2010 budget that prevents the reduction of the TV Marti News Department and the proposed unnecessary reduction-in-force.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Address)
*****
SAMPLE LETTER TO SEND TO YOUR CONGRESSMAN AND SENATORS
(please use your own words)
July _, 2008
Dear XXXXXXXX,
In the FY 2008 budget, Congress recognized the Voice of America for its essential contribution to United States public diplomacy and fully restored funding for several language services that had been slated for closing. Yet the Broadcasting Board of Governors continues to ignore the will of Congress. On Tuesday, July 1, and Wednesday, July 2, the BBG announced sharp cuts in the language services that were restored in HR110-197.
Ø All radio broadcasting for the Ukrainian service is to be eliminated.
Ø All radio broadcasting for the Serbian service is to be eliminated.
Ø The Georgian language service will be shut down.
Ø All radio broadcasting for the Hindi service is to be eliminated.
Ø All radio broadcasting in the Macedonian service is to be eliminated.
Ø All radio broadcasting in the Bosnian service is to be eliminated.
Ø Radio and Television broadcasting in the Russian service is to be eliminated leaving the Internet as the only method of distributing news and information, including editorials reflecting U.S. Government policy.
Ø The Portuguese to Africa service is to be reduced from broadcasting 14 hours a day to 9 hours a week.
The BBG is also ignoring the will of Congress by eliminating a critical method of distributing news and information as they continue to systematically shut down shortwave, AM and FM transmitters. An estimated 55% of VOA's transmitters have been silenced.
The Internet may be the method of choice to reach a wide audience, but access can be disrupted by ideologically hostile governments as has been shown in China, Burma, Thailand and Tibet.
Television may be a preferred method of reaching an audience in those countries whose population can afford the equipment necessary, but access can be disrupted as had been demonstrated in Russia where President Vladimir Putin has declared that local television stations are forbidden to broadcast foreign programs.
Shortwave radio has proven to be a cost-effective, reliable and relatively inexpensive method of reaching the largest possible audience at a fraction of the cost. It is difficult to interdict and innovations in shortwave radio technology give it a quality that once was reserved for FM radio.
We strongly urge you to demand the Broadcasting Board of Governors abide by the law as intended by Congress.
Regards,
*****
SERVICES NOT DEAD YET
Dateline: WASHINGTON, 06/11/07. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations and Related Agencies voted to rescind most of the cuts proposed by the BBG in the FY 2008 budget process. There is some confusion as to whether the Russian Service and the Portuguese Service were included in the reversal.
Early Retirement
If you are thinking about retirement OPM has a publication you can download and print. Go to:
http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/RI83-011.pdf
If you would like to get information on early retirements you can check out this website:
http://www.opm.gov/employ/vera/vera01.asp
To see if you are eligible for an early retirement go to:
http://www.opm.gov/retire/html/faqs/faq11.asp
For information on the Special Retirement Supplement which is provided to some FERS employees who retire before the age of 62 see:
http://www.opm.gov/asd/hod/pdf/C051.pdf
For information regarding the Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) as a retired annuitant go to:
http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/fegli1.asp
It is very important that check out your options concerning your health benefits. To find out what those are go to:
http://www.opm.gov/insure/handbook/fehb21.asp
Buyouts
For information on buyouts check out:
http://www.opm.gov/employ/html/vsi.htm
RIF
A RIF (reduction-in force) is conducted in an almost mechanical way. There are specific regulations that must be followed when an Agency conducts a RIF. The Union has negotiated appropriate arrangements and procedures that also must be followed in regard to a RIF. The AFGE Local 1812 contract article that addresses RIFs is Article 30.
To get a general understanding of the regulations regarding RIFs see:
http://www.opm.gov/rif/general/rifguide.asp
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