Home NTEU 59th National Convention Award Winners 2021 NTEU Award Winners

2021 NTEU Award Winners

Vincent L. Connery Memorial Membership Award

As NTEU’s first national president from 1967-83, Vince Connery built what has become our nationwide network of local and national leaders, making him a genuine NTEU pioneer. The award goes to those chapters that have followed in Vince’s footsteps to build their own networks and help grow the union, one member at a time.

Last spring, as the pandemic descended, some IRS employees in Kansas City were wrongly placed in non-pay status when the Service Center shut down because of COVID-19. Shannon Ellis put the power of Chapter 66 into high gear and got to work documenting the problems and educating management about the mistakes. The agency ended up changing the leave and attendance records for dozens of employees and providing many thousands of dollars in back pay. Ellis exhibits the kind of representational work that draws people to NTEU. Her time and energy spent building a team of chapter leaders developed a vibrant communications program, helping to gain nearly 800 new members over the first 12 months of the pandemic. After 17 years of NTEU membership and a record of stability and strength as Chapter 66 president, we are honored to present Shannon Ellis with the Vincent L. Connery Memorial Membership Award. 

Sarah Young
Chapter 133 (CBP Massachusetts) 

Since becoming president in 2016, Chapter 133 (CBP Massachusetts) has gone from 74 percent to 85 percent membership, a growth spurt that reflects Sarah Young’s tireless work on behalf of her members. Young’s tenacity and attention to detail have worked to benefit the entire workforce. Their success is only possible if management respects the chapter president and the top-notch team of stewards Young has taken great pains to build and train and empower. Chapter 133’s leadership team is collaborative and involved in decision making, which gets even more members involved in the day-to-day challenges facing the chapter and the employees it represents. Sarah joined NTEU nearly 20 years ago and with leaders like her, our union is in good hands for years to come. 

Phillip D. O’Rourke Memorial Award

Phillip O’Rourke was an energetic and hardworking NTEU representative committed to our union’s values. Philip was killed in a plane crash in 1967 when he was traveling on NTEU business, and the award in his name recognizes chapter leaders who share his passion and dedication to our mission.

For an award that is about dedicating time and energy to our cause, Robert Holland is an ideal recipient. With 12 years of membership, Holland has distinguished himself and his chapter at CBP as active, connected and respected. The CBP workplace has improved because of Holland’s use of innovation, such as the EMS scheduling tool that provided more transparency, and a “live bid” process for Bid, Rotation and Placement as well as Annual Leave selections. There is also the “173TV” video series, an effective way to explain complex workplace issues in a format that is easily accessible and keeps members informed. When unforeseen circumstances arise, he finds creative ways to build chapter morale. In 2020,  Rob rented an historic drive-in and hosted a socially-distant double feature for chapter members and their families. Even before the pandemic, he boosted attendance at chapter meetings with Zoom, and members know they can always reach him or his leadership team with questions and concerns. For his tenacious advocacy and spirited commitment to NTEU, we are pleased to present the Phillip D. O’Rourke Memorial Award to Robert Holland. 

Lorie McCann
Chapter 10 (IRS Chicago)

During the historic 35-day government shutdown, Lorie McCann made sure the whole country knew federal employees were suffering. Her many national media appearances featured her authority and compassion that comes from being a devoted NTEU member for more than 30 years. During the pandemic, as Taxpayer Assistance Center employees were called back into the office well before vaccinations were widely available, Lorie personally intervened to make sure their health and safety were protected by supplying them with masks and pressuring the agency until all of the safety equipment was installed. Masks even found their way into the mailboxes of every member of Chapter 10. Knowing the power of membership, Lorie adds even more to her plate by speaking at new hire orientation sessions and recruiting members in persuasive, one-on-one sessions, and traveling to PODs for lunch-and-learn sessions. When facing management, she is a tough negotiator and clever problem-solver who always ensures her members are treated with dignity and respect. Just like Phillip O’Rourke, Lorie McCann makes NTEU a great union, and we are honored to present her with the award in his name. 

Bob Tobias was national president from 1983 to 1999 and led with the philosophy that federal employees are the keeper of the public service flame, and their decision to dedicate their careers to the greater good is something that should be honored and revered. The Tobias Award recognizes chapter leaders who have embraced the collaborative approach to solving problems.

Anand Muni
Chapter 165 (CBP San Francisco/Oakland) 

Anand Muni, or simply ‘Muni’ as most call him, is president of Chapter 165 (CBP San Francisco/Oakland) and always at the ready when employees need an advocate, collaborator and fighter. Muni is a measured and thoughtful leader who relies on his intellect and knowledge of the contract and labor law to obtain benefits for employees. He has been a true leader through COVID-19, insisting on administrative time for COVID testing and for employees who had pandemic-related complications. He was an early advocate for plexiglass barriers to be installed and a champion in securing locality pay adjustments for employees who work in one of the most expensive cities in America. Chapter 165 has many different worksites, and Muni meets with employees at each of them regularly to understand their issues thoroughly. He’s visible, accessible and management respects his reach across the entire workforce. Employees are attracted to Chapter 165’s well-earned reputation for doing the hard, representational work. Muni draws inspiration from his father who made him a believer in the power of workers and the value of belonging to a union, especially when they facilitate relationship building and achieving success for all. 

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Colleen M. Kelley Medal of Honor

Colleen Kelley was NTEU National President for 16 years and her guiding principles still resonate to this day: growth, communication, elections and respect for federal workers. Colleen was an articulate advocate for improvements to federal pay and benefits and the preservation and expansion of employee rights. She built a robust communications program that kept members, Congress and all Americans informed about the needs of the federal workforce. Colleen began her career as a revenue agent at the IRS and she never forgot a face, or a name or a contract provision.

Dawn Sleva
Chapter 242 (FDIC-Chicago)

Dawn Sleva’s commitment to NTEU goes back more than a quarter of a century, most of it as the president of Chapter 242 (FDIC-Chicago). Her expertise and dedication are a magnet for new FDIC employees who see a skilled team making a strong enough impression for them to join our union on the spot. Even during the pandemic and maximum telework, Dawn still found ways to connect at virtual lunch-and-learn presentations with practical advice for employees, such as tips for writing accomplishment reports and what to do if you receive negative performance feedback. Chapter 242’s newsletter is a megaphone, announcing the union’s victories – large and small. They also hear it straight from their coworkers in the form of personal testimonials about how much NTEU members value their membership. Sleva is a fixture at the table during contract negotiations, well-respected for her persistence and extensive knowledge about compensation matters, travel and the performance management system. She’s fearless in challenging management with tough questions about their proposals and demanding changes if they are harmful to employees. Her record as a problem-solver, team-builder and all-around personable and respected leader have rightfully earned Dawn the Colleen M. Kelley Medal of Honor.