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Speaking out in a Credit Union Times article yesterday, NCUA Board Member J. Mark McWatters said he was displeased with the way a collective bargaining agreement between NCUA and the National Treasury Employees Union was handled.

As quoted in the article, McWatters complained about the "lack of transparency concerning the negotiation and execution of the collective bargaining agreement," adding, "I was not provided with draft copies of the bargaining agreement, was not afforded the opportunity to comment on the agreement during the negotiation process, and the final agreement was not presented to the Board for vetting nor for approval or rejection."

He added that NCUA Chairman Debbie Matz should have consulted with the NCUA Board "before consenting to bind the agency for an unprecedented five-year term." The agreements are usually for three years.

NAFCU Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and General Counsel Carrie Hunt, quoted the previous day, also noted concern. "NAFCU believes that the NCUA budget requires a line-by-line scrutiny at all levels, especially since employee salary and benefits make up such a large portion of its overall expenditures," Hunt said.

CU Times reported it obtained a copy of the agreement, which it said removes language about the pay freeze no longer in effect and includes pay range increases to 1 percent annually in the first two years of employment. The publication also said the agreement allows employees to be reimbursed for expedited airport screening services and non-refundable airfare in the case of personal emergencies.