AFGE THE GOVERNMENT
Vol. LXXI, No. 2
STANDARD see page 3
March/April 2004
for current and retired government workers and their families since 1933
American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO
AFGE Wins DCMA Election
2-out-of-3 Vote AFGE
A
lmost two-thirds of all Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) employ-
ees chose AFGE during a nationwide election—one of the largest elections
ever called for a single unit of workers in the federal sector. Tom Maahs, Pres-
ident of the AFGE Council of DCMA Locals, thanks DCMA employees for their
vote of confidence in AFGE as the largest union for DoD employees and the “most
able union to respond effectively to the anti-employee features in the new ‘National
Security Personnel System.’” For complete Federal Labor Relations Authority elec-
tion results, log onto www.afge.org.
2004 Legislative
Conference Rumsfeld Criticized for
AFGE NVP’s Arnold Scott, Dorothy James
and Terry Rogers (foreground) address the Misleading Congress
900 AFGE members who attended the Leg-
islative Conference. See page 4. DoD Releases New Personnel Regs
“S
ecretary Donald Rumsfeld duped CIO President John Sweeney and National
Congress,” AFGE National Presi- Employees Treasury Union President
dent John Gage told the national Colleen Kelley.
media at a news conference following the Before the Senate Governmental Affairs
release of the Department of Defense’s Committee hearing, Rumsfeld assured
Table of Contents (DoD) personnel concepts. “It’s our hope Congress that he would not abuse his new
that Congress will clarify to Rumsfeld the authority and end collective bargaining. The
Page 2 intent of the law authorizing the personnel personnel concepts released on February 6
A Message from National changes.” Several national leaders joined end collective bargaining. (Rumsfeld Duped
President John Gage Gage at the news conference, including AFL- Congress continued on page 4)
Page 3
AFGE Launches TV Ads
DHS Plan is “Flawed”
Page 3 system on adverse actions is unfair. AFGE
Bonus Bucks 2004 Discussions Continue intends to continue working with DHS
T
he Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge on the regulations.
Page 4 (DHS) personnel regulations are “seri- “Ridge has met with us and we’ve had
Around the Hill ously flawed,” says AFGE National Pres- meaningful and substantive discussions on
ident John Gage. “The new rules eliminate the the initial proposal,” says Gage. “We plan to
Page 5 ability of employee-elected representatives to aggressively represent the interests of AFGE
Budget Lacks Funding bargain about key working conditions.” members throughout the process and it is our
AFGE believes the new pay system will intent to negotiate a new system that is good
Page 6 not pay employees enough to maintain an for the mission, employees, and the American
Protecting Our Rights… experienced professional workforce and that people.” For a copy of the proposed
Saving Our Jobs the elimination of an independent arbitration regulations, log onto www.DHSworkers.org.
A Message from National President John Gage
Excerpts of testimony by John Gage before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Civil
Service and Agency Organization and the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Oversight of Government
Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia on the DHS labor relations proposal
John Gage
On the Elimination of the Neutral that came from neutral decision-makers. themselves. The right of employees to participate
Administration of the Labor Relations System: Employees will have no confidence in a board, in the ‘effects decision’ is for practical purposes
“One key element of the proposed labor relations empowered to decide matters of great concern destroyed by several related parts of the
system is that it be administered by a board that has been hand-picked by management and management proposal:
chosen solely by management. This board would is dependent upon it for support.” (a) (N)o obligation to bargain unless ‘a
decide issues which, in the current system, and On the Elimination of Bargaining Over substantial portion of the bargaining
in every other system in the U.S. where the right Personnel Policies: “The proposed regulation unit’ is affected. 9701.518(a)(3). For
to strike is prohibited, are decided by a neutral eliminates all the contract bargaining that would example, if the jobs of 100 employees
and independent body. take place concerning personnel policies if in a bargaining unit of 20,000 are being
“It is deceitful to establish a Homeland chapter 71 were retained: [T]here is no duty eliminated, there would be no
Security Labor Relations Board entirely selected to bargain over any matters that are inconsistent bargaining over placement of the 100
by the Secretary and to call it ‘independent.’ with . . . Departmental rules, regulations . . . because they do not constitute a
Several of the options put forth by the Design [9701.518(a)(1)]. substantial portion of the bargaining
Team called for a board made up of one member “The major reason for bargaining a contract unit;
selected by management, one by the unions and is to achieve changes in the existing personnel (b) (No obligation to bargain over the effects
a third to be selected by the first two. This is a policies, nearly all of which would be in the form of changed work assignments, changes
process that has been used for years by many of agency rules and regulations. Under chapter in the organization, etc. 9701.518(a)(2)(i);
state governments. 71, in certain circumstances but not all, rules and
“Not one single expert testified that a labor and regulations issued at the top level of the (c) (Management can act unilaterally once
relations system run by people beholden to agency, in contrast to those issued by it successfully stalls negotiations for 30
management would, in the long run, benefit the components of the agency, could block days. 9701.518(a)(6).
agency or reflect our nation’s traditions regarding bargaining if management could prove a On Weakening of Information Sharing
due process and adjudication by neutrals. Not ‘compelling need’ to maintain the precise Obligation: “For 70 years it has been recognized
a single case was cited in which national security provisions of that regulation. The FLRA has that unions are entitled to information maintained
operations at one of the legacy agencies had seldom found agencies to have met this burden. by management when it is necessary to support
been compromised from the type of decision With this proposed change, DHS could eliminate collective bargaining. A large body of case law
any contract provision agreed to by the parties has developed in both the private sector and the
at a lower level negotiation by issuing a federal sector regarding what information is
AFGE-The Government Standard Department-level regulation to the contrary. DHS required and the conditions for providing it. The
Vol. LXXI, No. 2 March/April 2004 could even use this authority to override its own DHS proposal would add a caveat that
AFGE-The Government Standard (USPS 003-219, ISSN 1041-5335)
is published bimonthly and is the official membership publication
labor relations board if it did not like an order management would not be required to provide
of the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, 80 to bargain on a particular union proposal issued information if it determined on its own that
F Street, NW, Washington, D.C., 20001 Phone: (202) 737-8700,
www.afge.org. John Gage, National President, Jim Davis, National by this board. Thus, management would reserve ‘alternative means exist for obtaining the
Secretary-Treasurer, Andrea E. Brooks, National Vice President for for itself the exclusive ability to determine the requested information, or if proper discussion,
Women and Fair Practices. National Vice Presidents: District 2-Derrick
F. Thomas, (732) 828-9449; NY, NJ, CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT. District scope of bargaining. There is no evidence understanding, or negotiation or a particular
3-Jeffrey R. Williams, (610) 660-0316; DE, PA. District 4-Joseph Flynn, whatsoever that this change is needed in order subject within the scope of collective bargaining
(410) 480-1820; MD, NC, VA, WV. District 5-Charlotte Flowers, (770)
907-2055; AL, FL, GA, SC, TN, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico. District 6- for the agency to optimally carry out its is possible without recourse to the information.’
Arnold Scott, (317) 542-0428; IN, KY, OH. District 7-Dorothy James,
(312) 421-6245; IL, MI, WI. District 8-Terrence L. Rogers, (952) 854-
responsibilities.” “Once again, no evidence was provided to
3216; IA, MN, NE, ND, SD. District 9-Michael Kelly, (405) 670-2656; On the Elimination of Bargaining over show that being forthcoming with information
AR, KS, MO, OK. District 10-Roy Flores, (210) 735-8900; LA, MS, TX,
NM, Panama. District 11-Gerald D. Swanke, (360) 253-2616; AK, CO, Personnel Effects of Operational Decisions: “In is an undue burden on management. In fact, we
ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY, Guam, Okinawa. District 12-Eugene Hudson, the public sector as in the private sector, there fear that increased litigation prompted by this
Jr., (760) 233-7600; AZ, CA, HI, NV. District 14-Russell Binion, (202)
639-6447; District of Columbia, Montgomery and Prince George’s is a distinction between bargaining over what may increase the burden on management.
Counties in Maryland; Arlington and Fairfax Counties and the City of the enterprise does to carry out its mission, and Further, managers will have to make
Alexandria in Virginia.
Produced by the AFGE Communications Dept.: Director, Enid Doggett; bargaining over the effects of those decisions on determinations on whether and which alternative
Assistant Director, Diane Witiak; Managing Editor & Communica- employees. Chapter 71 expressly requires methods for obtaining the requested information
tions Specialist, John Irvine; Communications Specialist, Adele Stan;
Web Site Developers, Kurt Gallagher and Rodrigo Munera; Staff bargaining over the effects of operational exist. Managers will also determine whether
Assistant, Kim Kennedy; Communications Interns, Deneyse Kirk- decisions, but bars bargaining over the decisions negotiations can go on without the requested
patrick and Shontae Harrell. Contributing writer: Susana Rodriguez-
Castaner. Photos in this issue by: Page One. Union designed by information. AFGE strongly opposes allowing
GO! Creative & union printed by Mount Vernon Printing Co. Period-
icals Postage Paid at Washington, D.C. Postmaster: send change of Correction management to decide what information the
addresses to AFGE-The Government Standard, ATTN: AFGE Data Pro-
Alex Tien’s name was misspelled in union needs to support its bargaining position.”
cessing Dept., 80 F St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20001.
“Member Donates $3,000 to Local” in Complete Feb. 25, 2004 testimony
available on www.DHSworkers.org and
the January/February 2004 issue.
www.unionblog.com.
Page 2 —www.afge.org The Government Standard — March/April 2004
AFGE AFGE—The Best
News Investment
You’ll Ever Make!
More than 1,000 federal and D.C.
workers joined AFGE in December. What are
you waiting for? Join today! Simply visit the AFGE Local
office in your building or call (202) 737-8700. Be sure
Defense Contractors to visit www.afge.org.
Owe $3 Billion
in Unpaid Taxes AFGE Supports
A General Accounting Office New Health Club Hotel Workers
(GAO) report shows that over
27,000 defense contractors owe Discount AFGE National President John Gage
joined dozens of D.C.-area labor,
more than $3 billion in unpaid AFGE members can now get
community and student activists at a sit-
taxes to the federal government. discounts on new health club
in at the State Plaza Hotel in early
Additionally, many continue to memberships at over 1,400 health
February. Organized by the International
secure new contracts with the clubs, including Bally’s Fitness and
Union of Hotel and Restaurant Employees
government. For your copy of select World and Gold’s Gym. To
(HERE) Local 25, the sit-in was called to
GAO’s February 12, 2004, report, locate a participating gym in your
support the hotel workers who voted for
log onto www.gao.gov. area, call GlobalFit at (888) 294-
the union last fall. The hotel owner refuses
1500. Check out the Members-Only
to negotiate with the workers.
Benefits section at www.afge.org.
Bonus Bucks 2004 AFGE Launches TV Ads
Bonus Bucks is AFGE’s signature
AFGE has been running TV ads in several states.
recruitment campaign that asks every AFGE
“VA Only” takes aim at privatization
member to sign up at least one co-worker who
within the Department of Veterans
isn’t a member. Bonus Bucks runs through June
Affairs (VA) and affirms AFGE’s
30. Check your mail for more details and
commitment to our veterans. “One
membership applications or visit www.afge.org.
Christmas” highlights corporate
giveaways to politically connected
corporations, like Halliburton, in the
It’s Time for MORE form of billion dollar contracts. View the ads at
www.afge.org/Index.cfm?Page=Election2004.
AFGE recently kicked-off a program that will do
more than ever before to mobilize bargaining units and
improve overall representation at the work site. MORE—
Mobilize, Organize, Register voters and Educate—will Do You Have a Story?
coordinate AFGE-wide resources to assist Locals, Do you have an AFGE-related story
Councils and Districts with rapid implementation of you’d like to share with your union brothers
organizing/mobilization plans. (It’s not meant to and sisters? If so, send your 200-words or
supplant any AFGE entity charged with various aspects less story to: “I Have a Story” c/o The
of union building.) Government Standard, 10th floor, 80 F St.,
Working with the AFGE National Executive NW, Washington, D.C. All stories must
Council’s Organizing Committee, MORE will drive include a contact name, Local number,
AFGE’s message, monitor and evaluate weekly Lunch address and phone number. If including a photo, be sure
& Learns, and assist in mobilization, recruitment and to identify everyone. Please, no Polaroids. All stories and photos
voter registration efforts. For more on MORE, call (202) become property of the AFGE Communications Department.
639-4104 or visit www.moreafge.org. We regret we can’t publish all submissions.
The Government Standard — March/April 2004 Page 3 —www.afge.org
AROUND
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
THE HILL
Prison Rehab Proposal Questioned
A
FGE’s National Council of Prison Locals (CPL) expressed concerns about the pris-
oner rehabilitation proposal President Bush outlined in the State of the Union.
“Instead of creating new plans, Bush should press Congress to stop plans to put
an end to UNICOR,” says Philip W. Glover, President of the AFGE Council representing
federal prison officers.
UNICOR is a proven, self-supporting prison industries program that provides inmates
with hands-on skills. “UNICOR not only enhances the safety of our federal prisons, it
also has a proven track record of reducing recidivism,” adds Glover. For more information
on CPL, log onto www.cpl33.org.
Rumsfeld Duped Congress
(continued from page 1)
The list of proposed per-
sonnel concepts sent to
AFGE Holds AFGE include the elimina-
tion of collective bargaining
Annual (to be replaced with non-
binding ‘consultation’) and
Legislative the probable end of current
Conference contracts once the new sys-
tem is implemented (the
S
ome 900 AFGE members, includ- proposal bars ‘roll-over’ of
ing District National Vice Presidents current contracts at the time
(NVPs) and Council and Local Pres- of implementation). The
idents from across the country, were in proposal also exempts pre-
D.C. for AFGE’s 2004 Legislative and viously eligible employees
Grassroots Mobilization Conference the from union membership,
week of February 8. This year’s Confer- including work leaders,
ence was designed to help AFGE mem- attorneys and professional (l-r) AFGE National Pres. John Gage, AFGE Dist. 14 NVP
bers respond to the policies by the employees (no definition is Russell Binion and AFL-CIO Pres. John Sweeney during the
Feb. 9 news conference with national media.
Administration and Congress which provided). Given the
would strike laws guaranteeing collec- ambiguous language employed in the doc- the emergency response to 9/11, the cohesion
tive bargaining rights, civil service pro- ument, such professionals may include fostered by union membership creates an
tections, annual across-the-board pay information technology professionals, fire- ethos of acting for the common good—
raises, and fairness and equity in the clas- fighters, architects, procurement workers, placing the needs of the many ahead of those
sification and pay systems for federal and plumbers, electricians and anyone else of the individual. In going back on his solemn
D.C. employees. See page 6 for cover- requiring certification. word to Congress, Rumsfeld offers a proposal
age on the Civil Rights Caucus and Lun- “In the military, unit cohesion and strong that flies in the face of any code of honor.”
cheon. morale are critical components of successful Log onto www.afge.org for DoD personnel
operations,” adds Gage. “As shown during information.
Page 4 —www.afge.org The Government Standard — March/April 2004
★ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
2005 White House Budget Lacks Funding
“F
or an Administration that has nothing there to make FEHBP more the military because they work side-by-side.
talked about pay for performance, affordable—just Health Savings Accounts “It’s the right thing to do,” states Gage.
they have not put their money that will make the program even more AFGE thanks the following Senators for
where their mouth is,” says AFGE National expensive without any improvement in supporting pay parity: Daniel Akaka (D-
President John Gage on the proposed $300 coverage or benefits,” adds Gage. Hawaii); George Allen (R-Va.); Susan Collins
million Human Capital Performance Fund (R-Maine); Mark Dayton (D-Minn.); Richard
outlined in President George Bush’s 2005 AFGE Applauds Durbin (D-Ill.); Tim Johnson (D-S.D.); Edward
Budget Proposal. “To fairly reward hundreds Pay Parity Letter Kennedy (D-Mass.); Carl Levin (D-Mich.);
of thousands of federal workers, such a fund AFGE applauds a bi-partisan letter from Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.); Patty Murray (D-
requires far more money.” members of Congress urging Bush to Wash.); and John Warner (R-Va.). AFGE also
AFGE also found that the budget support pay parity in the budget proposal. thanks Representatives: Benjamin Cardin (D-
proposal fails to address the growing Pay parity occurs when military personnel Md.); Elijah Cummings (D-Md.); Tom Davis
number of federal employees who are and federal employees are given the same (R-Va.); Jim Moran (D-Va.); Eleanor Holmes
uninsured because of the dramatic increases pay increases. AFGE holds a long-held Norton (D-D.C.) Dutch Ruppersberger (D-
in Federal Employees Health Benefits position that federal employees should Md.); Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.); Frank Wolf
Program (FEHBP) premiums. “There’s receive the same pay increases as those in (R-Va.); and Al Wynn (D-Md.).
HQ’s Spotlight: Sharon R. Pinnock Where’s My
Director, Membership & Organization Department 4.1% Pay
Increase?
A
s Director of Membership Pinnock has also been focused
& Organization for AFGE, on developing a workable
Sharon R. Pinnock leads model the union can use to (This was the latest information
the nation’s largest federal organize some 35,000 workers of on your 4.1% pay increase at
employees’ union in its attempts the Transportation Security press time.) The good news is
to recruit new members. During Administration (TSA) who are
that Congress passed a 4.1
her 14-year tenure, Pinnock has without collective bargaining rights.
helped AFGE increase its mem- “With the White House trying percent pay increase. The bad
bership by over 32,000 within to weaken worker rights, it is news is that you will not
the last 10 years. “Although faced Sharon R. Pinnock imperative that TSA workers receive your retroactive pay
with a period of overall decline become more involved and aware increase until President
in size in the federal sector,” says Pinnock, of their need for collective bargaining rights,” George Bush signs an
“AFGE has been one of only a handful of says Pinnock. “We are entering our third year
Executive Order that sets the
AFL-CIO affiliates to have such a large of this organizing campaign, and we knew
increase in its membership.” when we got involved that it would be an locality tables. Log onto to
Most recently, Pinnock and Project uphill battle. But this is what unions do— www.afge.org for more details.
Coordinator Eugene Martin, have been we fight for the rights of workers for dignity
charged with working more closely with and equality at the workplace. No workplace
members of the AFGE National Executive needs unionization more than does the
Council (NEC), Bargaining Councils and Transportation Security Administration.”
✔
AFGE Locals to coordinate the unions Prior to AFGE, Pinnock worked for 10
organizing and mobilization efforts. Dubbed years as a labor organizer for a variety of public AFGE
the MORE initiative, (Mobilize, Organize, sector unions. A self-proclaimed labor futurist, Voting Record
Register and Educate voters) one goal of this Pinnock presents and writes extensively about
project is to help the union host over 26,000 the roles of information technology and The 2003 AFGE Voting Record
Lunch and Learns between now and organizational culture in labor unions. is available on www.afge.org.
October 31, 2004. (See “It’s Time for MORE” Editors’ Note: ‘Headquarters Spotlight’
on page 3.) will be an on-going feature in 2004.
The Government Standard — March/April 2004 Page 5 —www.afge.org
Protecting Our Rights …
Saving Our Jobs
Civil, Women and Workers’ Rights Caucus and Luncheon
T
he Women’s and Fair Practices
Departments and the Human Rights
Committee hosted its annual Civil,
Women’s and Workers’ Rights Caucus on
Feb. 8—in conjunction with the
Legislative Conference (see
page 4)—to discuss the issues
facing agencies throughout the “Lose control
12 AFGE Districts. With the
theme of Protecting Our of the people,
Rights…Saving Our Jobs, the lose control of
Departments invited confer-
ence participants to discuss top- the quality.”
ics pertinent to AFGE members. —Patrick Russell,
These issues included voter reg- AFGE member American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Nat LaCour
istration, privatization, and the
elimination of collective bar-
gaining rights, and equal
employment opportunity and civil rights. Russell, a medical technologist from Hot Rachna Choudry, Program Specialist at
Testimonies from members and leaders Springs, South Dakota, testified to over 50 the AFL-CIO, encouraged members to
across professions inspired all in attendance attendees of the potential dangers patients become active in the elections process by
to take action in their Districts. face when seeking services at a hospital educating and registering voters in AFGE’s
At the 2004 Caucus, panelists whose staff and services are constantly being membership and in their respective
highlighted some of the threats facing cutback. He stressed that current federal agencies. Choudry presented information
employees in federal agencies. Department cuts on spending and employees impede on the AFL-CIO’s voter education and
of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees Patrick VA hospitals from managing their staff and registration campaign Working Women
Russell and Debra Cederhom discussed prevent them from providing the services Vote—a project that will be providing
some of the egregious attacks of the Bush their patients expect. Administrators women with candidates’ details and
Administration that plagues their agency. recognize that the combination of small proposed policies. The program aims to
budgets and shrinking a workforce inevitably target voters on issues affecting working
brings a negative change in quality of women and their families, such as
services. “Lose control of the people, lose unemployment, overtime and equal pay.
control of the quality,” stated Russell. Cecelie Counts, Director of the AFL-CIO’s
Cederhom, who serves as the AFGE department of Civil, Human and Women’s
District Coordinator in Fargo, North Dakota, Rights, also emphasized the need to
and Gabrielle Martin, President of the Equal mobilize AFGE members for the upcoming
Employment Opportunity Commission elections. “Not only do voters need to
(EEOC) National Council, further become involved in this year’s presidential
emphasized the need to collaborate on this elections,” stressed Count, “but workers
issue. Actual and proposed privatization of must also engage themselves in local and
federal government jobs affects everyone— state campaigns. You are the people, you
those working in cities and rural areas, blue- are the government.” It is up to us, as federal
and white-collar workers, new and career and D.C. employees, to take control of our
employees. It’s up to us, as individual agencies and employment situations to bring
workers and as union members, to unite on positive change to our national government.
AFL-CIO Program Specialist this issue and mobilize in November to Lynn Tyree and Pamela Martin further
Rachna Choudry prevent further destruction of the federal illustrated the need to involve AFGE
and D.C. workforce. members and recruit new individuals to
Page 6 —www.afge.org The Government Standard — March/April 2004
AFGE National Pres. John
Gage (l) and AFGE NVP for Johnson—President of the Coalition of
Women and Fair Practices Labor Union Women (CLUW) and
Andrea Brooks (r) present Executive Board member of the AFL-CIO—
CLUW Pres. Gloria John-
son a coalition partner received a coalition partner award for her
award for her committ- commitment to civil rights and women’s
ment to civil rights and issues through her work in various labor
women’s issues. organizations and in support of AFGE’s
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
campaign. Johnson has participated in the
labor movement for more than 50 years and
is a founding member of CLUW. In her
luncheon address, she inspired others to
continue to mobilize so that employees can
guarantee themselves the rights and
protections they deserve.
LaCour, Executive National Vice
combat threats by the Bush Administration EEOC management, Morken urged federal President of the American Federation of
that would bring drastic changes to the and D.C. employees to communicate with Teachers (AFT) and keynote speaker, also
federal and D.C. workforce. Tyree, President the Women’s and Fair Practices Departments praised the dedication and achievements
of Local 1992 of the Department of at AFGE if and when their rights are abused. of AFGE leaders and activists as they
Defense, indicated that the agency’s As the EEOC cuts back on the numbers of prepared to attend meetings on Capitol Hill.
cutbacks in funding and staff will continue lawyers on staff, forces non-attorneys to Speaking on the theme of Protecting Our
until AFGE members and voters force dismiss legal cases and organizes its Rights… Saving our Jobs, LaCour
needed changes. “Voter education and casework through complicated electronic recognized the strong correlation between
registration,” says Tyree, “along with active systems, AFGE members face a loss of civil and workers’ rights. He pledged AFT’s
participation in AFGE, will lead federal and protection from the very agency dedicated support for federal and D.C. employees and
D.C. workers on the right path.” Martin, to eliminating employment discrimination. will continue working with AFGE to ensure
District 7 National Woman’s Advisory As he pleaded, this is a time to rally together the rights of its members. LaCour also
against the Bush Administration and, promised to maintain AFT’s relationship
moreover, unite under the common thread with the Women’s and Fair Practices
of AFGE membership. Departments, through which AFGE ensures
the rights of employees so that they may
“You are the people, Civil Rights Luncheon continue serving their country with the
you are the Nearly 400 people attended the annual rights and benefits they deserve.
Civil Rights Luncheon,
government.” sponsored by the Human
Rights Committee on February
—Cecelie Counts,
9, eager to hear from Rep-
AFL-CIO
resentative Stephanie Tubbs
Jones (D-Ohio), Gloria
Johnson and Nat LaCour.
Coordinator member, urged caucus attendees Tubbs Jones, who has a 100
to appoint Local coordinators, involve Local percent voting record with the
members and educate individuals on the labor movement, motivated
goals and actions of AFGE. By letting attendees to continue fighting
coworkers and AFGE members know who for civil rights for workers,
represents and struggles for their rights, the noting the dedication and
union can grow in numbers and power and patriotism of federal and D.C.
can provide a wide spectrum of services. employees. As a former EEOC
Caucus attendees also heard from trial attorney and AFGE
David Norkin, an Administrative Judge from member, Tubbs Jones stands
the Equal Employment Opportunity in solidarity with AFGE
Commission (EEOC). Highlighting the members and continues to Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio)
dramatic changes that are being pursued by fight for AFGE in Congress.
The Government Standard — March/April 2004 Page 7 —www.afge.org
In 2004, it’s moreYear It Is More ever to have
In the 2004 Election Y important than Important Than
your Your Own
Y
Ever to Have own PERSONAL COMPUTER. COMPUTER
AFGE’s new easy computer purchasing program could not come at a better time.
“There is a lot at stake for federal employees and the Americans we serve in 2004.
We need to mobilize members, potential members, family and friends to get the facts
and get The activists we who are wired into information 24/7,
the easier it is going to be to them to take action.”
The easy purchase f
is a valuable and effective benefit for AFGE
a , down,
p ts p s over next 12 months.
Dell and a printer that and ft®
®
f
sof f
manufacturer’s warranty, Internet access, an Office Depot ft card,
and more.
AFGE members who would like to pay cash for their computers can use the special
Union Plus discount program for Dell and IBM For details visit the
members-only benefits section at www.afge.org or call the AFGE benefits phone line,
888-844-2343.
For more information or to order,
call 800-540-4142. Please have your
r
AFGE local membership number ready.
You can also visit www w g under
the members’ benefits section.
Page 8 —www.afge.org The Government Standard — March/April 2004