Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

OneGrassRoot

(23,424 posts)
2. omg, omg, omg, omg, omg, omg.......
Sat Nov 10, 2012, 04:33 PM
Nov 2012



Part-time emergency employees deployed to assist in Superstorm Sandy relief efforts have won federal health benefits, the Office of Personnel Management announced Friday.

The Office of Personnel Management is issuing an interim final rule, obtained by Government Executive, to expand the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to part-time workers with FEMA, known as reservists. The rule takes effect immediately.

The announcement comes after an online petition requesting the benefits received nearly 100,000 signatures in the 10 days since it was launched.

A May Government Accountability Office report found that reservists, who make up 57 percent of FEMA’s workforce, do not receive any federal health benefits. When many of these reservists -- also known as disaster assistance employees -- were deployed in support of Sandy relief, Dena Patrick decided to take action.

The disaster assistance employees serve two-year appointments and are paid only when deployed.

Patrick -- founder of Wishadoo!, a grass-roots community organizing website -- thought FEMA employees who have been on the front lines in areas devastated by Sandy -- knocking on doors, delivering mobile homes and supervising the disbursement of more than $250 million in grants to those affected by the storm -- had earned their benefits and launched a campaign on their behalf.

http://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2012/11/part-time-fema-workers-now-eligible-health-care-benefits/59421/?oref=dropdown


And I just LOVE that they referred to Wishadoo! as a "grassroots community organizing website"!!!



All I'm getting is that when the time is right, it will find wind in its sails. Fire Walk With Me Nov 2012 #1
omg, omg, omg, omg, omg, omg....... OneGrassRoot Nov 2012 #2
Fast service is part of the deal ;) Fire Walk With Me Nov 2012 #3
Thank. Goodness. OneGrassRoot Nov 2012 #4
Congrats and thanks for helping them! Fire Walk With Me Nov 2012 #7
Occupy... OneGrassRoot Nov 2012 #8
Here are a few leads, thank you so much! Fire Walk With Me Nov 2012 #9
Wonderful. I'm navigating twitter more and trying to use that to reach them. OneGrassRoot Nov 2012 #10
One more; check this post as I may add to it if I find anything else. Thank you! (Updated) Fire Walk With Me Nov 2012 #11
Got it - thanks much! n/t OneGrassRoot Nov 2012 #12
One more, and the post above has been updated. Thank you! Fire Walk With Me Nov 2012 #13
Fantastic! OneGrassRoot Nov 2012 #14
Outstanding! Thank YOU! Fire Walk With Me Nov 2012 #16
Ooops, I placed my "Fantastic" reply in the wrong spot... OneGrassRoot Nov 2012 #15
Well done OGR! Sienna86 Nov 2012 #5
Thank you, Sienna86! OneGrassRoot Nov 2012 #6
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Astrology, Spirituality & Alternative Healing»I'd greatly appreciate yo...»Reply #2