Seeking advice on how to prepare for and cope with “disasters at home or on the road?” [IMGCAP(1)]

If so, the Office of Security and Emergency Preparedness is conducting a lecture Friday for Senate and Architect of the Capitol employees interested in learning “how to prepare your family before [an] emergency strikes; how to react during an event, and what to do after an emergency; [and] how to create an emergency plan,” according to a bulletin posted on the internal Senate Web site.

The session begins at 1 p.m. and is scheduled to run for one hour with a question-and-answer period immediately following. It will be held in Room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Those interested in attending are instructed to call (202) 224-7628 or send an e-mail to training@saa.senate.gov

Fruits of Labor. A council of nearly 200 Washington-area labor organizations will honor the union that represents Library of Congress and Architect of the Capitol employees at its annual awards banquet this weekend.

The AFL-CIO’s Metropolitan Washington Council will recognize the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 26 (which represents the LOC, AOC, Justice Department, Agriculture Department and Federal Aviation Administration, among other federal agencies) and American Federation of Government Employees Local 12 (which represents employees at the Labor Department) for their work in mobilizing members to participate in rallies and picket lines in 2003.

AFSCME Council 26 Executive Director Carl Goldman stated: “Our members are incensed about privatization, which we see as little more than the selling of America. We are fighting back through lobbying, education and demonstrating. And we plan to continue to do so, while supporting private-sector workers who have stood with us.”

Survey Says … House staffers will get an opportunity to evaluate the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer this week when the agency distributes its annual customer satisfaction survey.

“This survey presents you the opportunity to critique CAO services and provide feedback on improvements and additional services you would like to see,” states a Feb. 10 “Dear Colleague” letter from House Administration Chairman Bob Ney (R-Ohio) and ranking member John Larson (D-Conn.).

The CAO’s office is responsible for human resources services, as well as computer and telephone support, furniture moving, payroll and benefits processing,financial counseling, procurement, food services, photography and mail services.

Surveys will be distributed by inter-office mail and e-mail.

— Mark Preston, Suzanne Nelson and Jennifer Yachnin