Still time to register for Editor’s Conference

It’s not too late to register! Reserve your spot today!

During the Legislative and Grassroots Mobilization Conference, the Communications Department will host its annual Editors Association Conference with a panel discussion on electronic activism followed by a training session on the top social media tools Locals can utilize in their communications efforts.

The panel discussion will address social media as an effective and pertinent tool for social and political change.  After the panel, the department will conduct a step-by-step training session for members on how to create Facebook, Twitter and WordPress (blog) pages.

To register yourself, an officer and/or a member for the Editors Association Conference please send names, email addresses and phone numbers, and Local/Council numbers to Chelsea Bland at blandc@afge.org.

The Editors Association Conference is free to attend and registration is mandatory.

When registering please indicate if you would like to attend the panel discussion, the training or both. If you wish to attend the step-by-step training, please bring your own laptop. Computer availability is limited. If you will need to use a computer please indicate that when registering.

AFGE Editors Association Conference

Wednesday, February 15, 2011

8am – 1pm

Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill

400 New Jersey Avenue NW

Washington D.C

 

AFGE Defends Democracy

The theme for AFGE’s 2012 Voter Protection Program is “AFGE Defends Democracy.” In 2011, state legislatures introduced numerous bills and passed laws that are invading and destroying the voting rights of honest working-class Americans. The increased efforts of the Republican Party to disenfranchise voters and make it difficult to get to the polls can not be ignored! We have to make sure that AFGE members and their communities know their voting rights!

AFGE has created a NEW Voter Protection Facebook Page, “AFGE Defends Democracy,” in order to keep you informed about voter protection issues leading up to this year’s election. Please click here to “Like” our page and stay up to date on voter protection issues leading up to this year’s election.

Legislative Conference Registration

If you have yet to register for this year’s Legislative and Grassroots Mobilization Conference taking place in Washington, D.C. February 12-15, 2012, please DO NOT MAIL registration forms or payment. Please hold your forms and payment for onsite registration.

Registration fees are $375 per person for Locals who register onsite.

Please call 202-639-6413 or 202-639-6412 if you have any questions.

 

AFGE STATEMENT ON FEDERAL EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT HEARING

American Federation of Government Employees National President John Gage today issued the following statement in response to the congressional hearing on federal employees’ retirement security before the House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee on the federal workforce, U.S. Postal Service and labor policy:

“Congress created the Federal Employees Retirement System in the mid-1980s to mirror leading private sector practices. The vast majority of a federal employee’s retirement income comes from personal investments in the government’s 401(k) plan and mandatory payments into Social Security. Federal employees also receive a very modest pension that provides an average of $939 a month when they retire. As NARFE Director of Retirement Benefit Services David Snell so eloquently stated in his testimony before the subcommittee, ‘federal employees are not retiring rich.’

“Despite what Subcommittee Chairman Dennis Ross would lead one to believe, the FERS retirement system is fully funded and poses no additional tax burden on the American public. Yet the congressman and others want to cut federal employees’ wages so more of their take-home pay goes into this fully funded system. That’s not only unnecessary, it’s downright unfair.

“Congressman Ross is right about one thing – the American public is outraged. They’re outraged by lawmakers who are more worried about protecting their millionaire and billionaire campaign donors than creating jobs for the millions of unemployed workers.”

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The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 625,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia. For the latest AFGE news and information, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Last Day to Pre-Register for Legislative Conference

TODAY is the last day to pre-register online for AFGE’s 2012 Legislative Conference. To pre-register, visit www.afge.org.

If you plan to pre-register today, your payment must accompany the registration form or it will not be valid. Please DO NOT MAIL the registration form or payment after January 23, 2012, but hold for online registration.

Registration fees are:

$275 per person for Locals who pay and pre-register by January 23, 2012 (TODAY).

$375 per person for Locals who register onsite.

Please call 202-639-6413 or 202-639-6412 if you have any questions.

AFGE Wants to Hear Your Story

Submit your story with a chance to have it featured on our blog!  We want to hear from YOU about your life as a federal employee and how the current political climate will affect your life, your family and your community.

Please visit www.afgememberstories.com to submit your story and read the stories of other members.

Register for the 2012 Legislative Conference Today!

Did you know Wade Henderson, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, will be the guest speaker at the Civil Rights Luncheon at the 2012 Legislative Conference on Monday, February 13th?

Visit www.afge.org and register for the Legislative Conference TODAY!

Click here to learn more about the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

AFGE STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT’S AGENCY CONSOLIDATION PLAN

American Federation of Government Employees National President John Gage today issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s proposed consolidation of business and trade agencies:

“I welcome President Obama’s decision to reinstate the Small Business Administration’s status as a Cabinet-level agency – a position it held during the Clinton administration. This signifies the president’s confidence in Administrator Karen Mills and the thousands of hard-working federal employees who serve America’s small business owners.

“AFGE represents employees at four of the trade- and commerce-related agencies and offices that I understand would be consolidated under the Obama administration’s plan. We represent 2,200 employees at SBA, nearly a hundred each at the Export-Import Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and about two dozen at the Trade and Development Agency.

“We are eager to review the details of the president’s consolidation plan and determine how it will impact the employees we represent and the services we deliver to the American people. I do take issue, however, with the notion that most of government is inefficient and that cutting federal workers will somehow solve the problem. Federal employees and supervisors are only carrying out the work that has been created by Congress and elected officials, who have mandated these various layers of bureaucracy largely for political gains.”

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The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 625,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia.

For the latest AFGE news and information, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

 

 

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Executive Order 10988

January 17th marks the 50^th anniversary of President Kennedy’s signing of Executive Order 10988, which began collective bargaining in the federal government. Not only did this Executive Order permit workers to join and engage in union activity but it also set the stage for expanding these rights under Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter. It demonstrated a true bipartisan show of support from past presidents for the right of federal workers to have a voice on the job, and an ability to positively impact their livelihoods.

At a time when government workers are currently under partisan attack, recognizing the significance of Executive Order 10988 is especially important to remind everyone of the long journey government workers have taken, and to re-energize workers for the battles ahead.

The AFL-CIO will commemorate this historic occasion on Tuesday, January 17^th at its headquarters. National Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis is scheduled to speak. In addition, AFGE National President John Gage will introduce AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.

Click here to view Executive Order 10988.

Have You Registered for the 2012 Legislative Conference?

There’s still time left to register for this year’s Legislative and Grassroots Mobilization Conference taking place in Washington, D.C. February 12–15, 2012.

This is a crucial moment for federal and D.C. government employees.  We must educate our elected officials about the value of our work and the importance of our workplace rights. Together we will create campaigns to build a stronger pro-worker bipartisan coalition in the 112th Congress.

For more information, please visit www.afge.org.