National Border Patrol Council Local 2544 Tucson, Arizona
National Border Patrol Council Local 2544 Tucson, Arizona
NOTICE OF MEETING
DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF UNION DELEGATES TO THE NBPC
NATIONAL CONVENTION AND, IF NECESSARY, NOMINATE
ADDITIONAL DELEGATES: DETERMINE IF DELEGATES CARRY ALL
VOTES; DETERMINE COMPENSATION FOR DELEGATE EXPENSES
Local 2544 will hold a special membership meeting at the union office located
at 2185 West Magee Road, Suite 125, Tucson, AZ 85742 on Friday, January
16, 2025, at 5pm MST. During this meeting, members will be asked to
determine the number of additional delegates, if any, it wants to represent
Local 2544. (1) Local 2544’s seven (7) elected officers have already been
designated as delegates. (2) If members authorize additional delegates, then
nominations for the additional delegates will be accepted and, at a future
date to be determined, an election will be held for a secret vote to elect the
additional delegates. (3) If members authorize additional delegates and a
member wishes to forward a nomination but is unable to attend the meeting,
then such nominations should be submitted by email to Local 2544 President
Hector Andujo at hectortrack1978@gmail.comprior to the start of the January 14,
2025 meeting.
Members will also be asked to determine if the selected delegates will carry
all of the Local 2544’s votes, which if approved would preclude the need for
alternate delegates. If members do not approve this proposal, then
nominations for alternate delegates will be accepted and, at a future date to
be determined, an election will be held for a secret vote to elect additional
delegates.
The designated delegates will represent Local 2544 at the NBPC National
Convention to be held on or about Thursday, April 16, 2025, in San Antonio,
Texas.
1 Sec. VI (1) and (2), AFGE Constitution; Sec. 6(c), Appendix A to AFGE Constitution; Sec. 18,
Local 2544 Bylaws
2 Sec. 18, Local 2544 Bylaws; Art. 6(A) and (B), Appendix A to AFGE Constitution
3 Art. 6(A) and (B), Appendix A to AFGE Constitution; Sec. 18, Local 2544 Bylaws
retention incentive bonus
- The retention incentive will apply to all 1896 BPAs, though there are some basic eligibility requirements, like whether someone is already subject to some kind of incentive agreement (we will get more details on this aspect soon).
- The agency hopes to get the first incentive disbursed within the next month or so, which will be $20,000 and require the recipient to remain employed with USBP for two years.
- When the two-year period expires, an additional $20,000 retention incentive will be available for the subsequent two-year period, subject to the same requirements.
- Additionally, a third incentive worth $10,000 will be available at the end of the final retention period.
- In total, there will be retention incentives worth $50,000 for all 1896 BPAs.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS WILL BE PROVIDED SOON
National Job Swap Program
The National Job Swap Program is officially live. Employees can now start submitting applications through the SharePoint site:
USBP Job Swap Program Site (https://cbpgov.sharepoint.com/sites/USBP/MSD/wm/SitePages/Job-Swap.aspx)
If you have questions, contact the union at: swaps@bpunion.org.
Note: Some people have had trouble opening the SharePoint site in the app on their TAK phone. If that happens, open it in a regular web browser instead.
How the Program Works
• Employees can swap duty stations with another USBP employee who has the same job series and job title.
• Each applicant can list up to 10 preferred stations.
• Matches are based on seniority and mutual interest between employees.
Who Can Apply
• All bargaining unit employees (if eligible).
• Non-bargaining unit employees (up to Special Operations Supervisor), if eligible.
• Professional Staff employees may swap, but only with someone in the same series, title, and full performance level (FPL).
Basic Eligibility Rules
You can apply if you meet these conditions:
• Completed probation and required field training.
• At least 2 years of service before the announcement closes.
You cannot apply if any of these apply to you:
• On probation or in required training.
• Currently on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) or Performance Demonstration Period (PDP).
• Facing a pending suspension (7+ days) or removal.
• Under investigation by OIG or OPR for misconduct that could result in serious discipline.
• Had 3+ disciplinary actions (reprimands or suspensions under 14 days) or one suspension of more than 14 days in the past 2 years.
• On a Last Chance Agreement that hasn’t expired.
• Have not yet met the time-in-station requirements from a past incentive, relocation, or transfer.
• Already swapped last year under the National Job Swap Program.
• Backed out of a swap before and are in the 2-year bar period.
The final official policy document should be available from MSD soon. It will be shared once HQ finishes formatting it.
Retirement Plan Update
News from the National Border Patrol Council
May 19, 2025
Members,
I’m writing to give you an update on the status of the budget reconciliation process. After
weeks and months of non-stop, behind-the-scenes work, I am pleased to share that the latest
version of the House Republican reconciliation bill does not include any changes to FERS for
federal law enforcement officers, which includes the FERS annuity supplement.
Specifically, the latest version of the legislation includes no changes for how LEOs become
eligible for and collect the annuity supplement. Additionally, as we shared previously, federal
LEOs will see no changes to our retirement contributions or high-3 calculation. In other words,
this bill DOES NOT change any of the retirement benefits of Border Patrol Agents.
The latest version of the reconciliation legislation was released overnight after the House
Budget Committee voted to advance the legislation forward. The revised legislation now goes
to the House Rules Committee before being voted on by the full House, which is likely to take
place later this week.
In addition to preserving retirement benefits, the NBPC has worked tirelessly to advocate for
frontline agents, and because of these efforts, the reconciliation legislation includes an annual
$10,000 retention bonus each year for four years, $813 million for thousands of new patrol
vehicles, 3,000 new Border Patrol Agents, and historic investments in border infrastructure
including roads and lighting.
Thank you for your patience as we fought against threats to your retirement and benefits and
worked through these issues with Congress. As mentioned earlier, this is a complicated
process, but we have made significant strides and will continue to work on other legislative
efforts.
As this legislation moves from the House over to the Senate, we will monitor and update you
as it progresses. Once the legislation passes the House and Senate and is sent to President
Trump for his signature, we will put together and send out a detailed analysis.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Paul Perez
National President, NBPC
Verizon Cell Phone Plan Update
***Members may need to restart their devices on the day of their new billing cylce ***
We are excited to inform you that starting with your next billing cycle, all members will be transitioned to a new Verizon Wireless plan specifically tailored for public sector government subscribers. The new plan, with a monthly access fee of $40, offers fantastic benefits including unlimited data, mobile hotspot usage, 5G UW, and unlimited minutes. It also covers Canada and Mexico long-distance calls and messaging at no additional charge, along with unlimited international minutes, texting and data while in Canada or Mexico.
This switch is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure you have the best resources available at an exceptional value. Phone prices for new lines of service and upgrades will continue to be available at discounted rates and upgrades are every two years. The old plans will be retired.
About Us
Local 2544
We are the guardians of non-supervisory Border Patrol agents and support personnel assigned to the United States Border Patrol in the Tucson Sector.
We protect Border Patrol agents against frivolous lawsuits, overzealous prosecutors, and unwarranted or disparate administrative actions.
We safeguard conditions of employment, agreements, practices, employee rights, and the labor laws of the United States.
We strive to ensure a fair and equitable workplace free from favoritism, intimidation, disparate treatment, and harassment.
We investigate and report fraud, waste, and abuse within the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol.
We promote immigration laws and policies that contribute to the security of the United States and oppose policies that restrict the sworn duties of Border Patrol agents.
We represent the employees with honor, judiciousness, and professionalism.
We provide direct line to union stewards throughout the sector, and have direct contact with attorneys that are always on hand to ensure the needs of our bargaining unit members.
To join Local 2544, download and fill out Form 1187 (located under member benefits) and give it to a union representative at your assigned location.
Annual Membership Gun Raffle
Local 2544 will be holding a raffle for all dues paying members. We have one Glock 43x for a member at each station in Tucson sector (9 winners in all) . You do not have to be present to win. Thank you for all your hard work this year. Date and time of the Facebook live raffle to be announced.
December 2023 Membership Meeting
The bi-monthly membership meeting will be held at the Local 2544 Office at 6pm on Wednesday December 13th. The 2024 budget proposal will be presented at this time.