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Washington, D.C.-The leader of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) demanded that the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) "stop undermining the interests of its own employees" and schedule a prompt vote on union representation.

NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley yesterday told an enthusiastic rally of some 300 NTEU members and SEC employees outside the agency's downtown headquarters that "a responsible employer that cares about its employees" would act in accordance with the ruling of a federal body calling for an election.

One of the highlights of the rally was a performance, at both the beginning and the end of the event, of a song written by SEC employees Robert Gulack and David S. Frye. It is a version of an old labor song, Miner's Life, with words appropriate to the needs of employees at the SEC. The text of the song is attached.

Kelley was sharply-critical of the SEC, telling the chanting, sign-waving crowd that filled the sidewalk along 5`" Street between D and E Streets NW, that "part of the shame of the SEC in this is that it reneged on an agreement to hold such a vote" last September.

The union leader told the rally that "many on Capitol Hill are very aware of the SEC's stalling tactics," and she read a letter to SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt from Rep. James P. Moran (D-VA) asking for a full report on why the SEC has thus far refused to go ahead with an election..

Immediately after the rally, Kelley hand-delivered petitions from SEC employees calling for an election to Levitt's office. In a letter to Kelley last fall, Levitt had expressed his support for the right of SEC employees to vote on union representation.

The union is seeking to organize into a single bargaining unit 1,800 SEC headquarters and field employees. When the agency reneged on its election agreement last fall, it petitioned the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) for a decision on its argument that the most appropriate unionized structure at the agency would be to have 11 separate bargaining units, rather than a single nationwide unit.

In a strongly-worded decision, the FLRA's Washington regional director rejected that argument, supported a single nationwide unit, and ordered an election. Kelley said she has urged Levitt directly, first, not to appeal that decision, and, second, if he does appeal, to do so promptly "to bring this matter to closure, clearing the way for a prompt vote so employee voices can be heard."

Apparently, she said, SEC intends to wait until "the 59`" day" of the 60-day period from the January 7 regional director's decision to appeal to the full three-member FLRA. "I suppose SEC and their outside consultants believe that NTEU is going to go away," Kelley said. "That's not going to happen. We're here to stay and to help bring the voices of SEC employees to their workplace."

NTEU is the largest independent federal union, representing some 155,000 employees in 24 agencies and departments.

Union Members Stand Together

A lawyer's job requires judgment, requires skill, requires nerve.

The SEC works for the nation; it's her people that we serve.

West or east, swindled investors know we'll be there to raise a fuss.

They know we will speak out for them ...but who is there to speak for us?

Union members stand together! Take this dream and make it real.

Stand tall and stand together! That's the way to make a deal.

Don't be fobbed off with excuses. That's no way to earn respect.

Nothing's worth less than a promise, when there's no way to collect.

There are wise and sound investments; there are poor investments too.

When you pay dues to your union, that's when you invest in YOU.

Union members stand together! Take this dream and make it real.

Stand tall and stand together! That's the way to make a deal.

Secretaries, paralegals, and accountants, join our cause!

We will bargain altogether, just as we enforce the laws!

Let them see us stand together, all for one and one for all.

Now's the time to join the union! Now's the time to hear the call!

Union members stand together! Take this dream and make it real.

Stand tall and stand together. That's the way to make a deal.

They will bring in outside law firms. They will stall on small details.

Union members, stand together! Union members shall prevail.

Every way they try to stop us, Every tactic they pursue

Gives more proof, at the Commission, We all need NTEU!

Union members stand together! Take this dream and make it real.

Stand tall and stand together! That's the way to make a deal.

Written by SEC employees

Robert Gulack and David S. Frye

Sung to the tune of Miner's Life, a labor song popularized by the Weavers