Tag: American Federation of Government Employees

AFGE Statement on The Heritage Foundation’s Recent Work Hours Study

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox today issued the following statement in response to The Heritage Foundation‘s report on public and private sector work hours.

“The Heritage Foundation has found yet another opportunity to manipulate data in order to pit the public against government workers. Its recent ‘report’ is utterly misleading in claiming that public sector employees work fewer hours than those in the private sector. The differences Heritage cite evaporate if one adjusts for firm size and length of service – the two most important factors determining hours of work and paid time off. Continue reading “AFGE Statement on The Heritage Foundation’s Recent Work Hours Study”

Appropriators make pay freeze extension official

Appropriators make pay freeze extension official

 
Filipchuk Oleg Vasiliovich/Shutterstock.com

House appropriators have included a provision extending the civilian pay freeze for federal employees and lawmakers in the temporary spending measure designed to keep the government running through March 27.

The $1.047 trillion continuing resolution funds the government for the next six months, and ensures feds will not see a pay bump until April at the earliest. President Obama in August recommended a 0.5 percent pay raise for federal workers in 2013 but not until Congress passes a budget, effectively extending the current two-year pay freeze.

Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, called the provision extending the salary freeze “disappointing.” She also said NTEU will push the White House and Congress to make the 0.5 percent increase retroactive to Jan. 1, 2013. The American Federation of Government Employees plans to do that as well. Continue reading “Appropriators make pay freeze extension official”

EPA fires scientists – to shake attempt to unionize?

EPA fires scientists – to shake attempt to unionize?

September 6 2012

epa scientists

One scientist has been fired, and another suspended, from the EPA’s National Exposure Research Laboratory in Athens, Ga. by agency management, in the midst of a union election. The American Federation of Government Employees‘ EPA Labor Council #238 expressed utter outrage that this was – purposefully, they believe – done at a time when scientists at the Athens lab were seeking union representation.

“The two scientists who were blatantly reprised against were activists in seeking the union election,” said AFGE EPA Council 238 president Charles Orzehoskie. “We stand by them in their hour of need.”

The scientists worked for the lab’s Ecosystems Research Division, and were each dismissed for different alleged reasons. One worker was suspended August 14 for reportedly turning in travel expenses for non-work-related travel, while the other – who was world-renowned – was fired for supposedly failing to submit a medical document for a health-related absence. Continue reading “EPA fires scientists – to shake attempt to unionize?”

AFGE Union Leader Responds To Democratic Party Platform

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. today issued the following comment in response to the Democratic Party’s 2012 platform:

The Democratic Party has laid out a vision for the country that focuses on restoring and growing the middle class, creating jobs, investing in the future and ensuring that everyone pays their fair share. Continue reading “AFGE Union Leader Responds To Democratic Party Platform”

SEQUESTRATION FACT SHEET #3

SEQUESTRATION FACT SHEET #3

By Jeff Bratko, Steward AFGE Local 704

Sequestration Fact Sheets #1and 2 explained that sequestration will result in automatic, spending cuts in most discretionary spending by Federal Agencies.  Sequestration Fact Sheet #2 discussed a few ways that employees can prepare for sequestration and avoid falling off their own fiscal cliff.  This fact sheet contains additional tips and suggestions to help employees prepare for sequestration.

How you may be Impacted and Things you can do to Minimize the Damage

  • The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) – One possible impact of the sequestration is a furlough of 4 or 5 weeks between January 2, 2013 and the end of September 2013.  It is not known if such furloughs will be done a day at a time, a week at a time, or multiple weeks at a time. TSP Bulletin OC 95-4 (5/2012) describes the impact of a furlough on your TSP contributions. If there is a furlough and you do nothing about your TSP contributions, you will end up contributing less than anticipated in 2013.  Employees, who need to increase their net pay during a furlough so that they can meet essential living expenses, may have to reduce their TSP contributions.  Employees who want to maximize their TSP contributions may need to adjust the biweekly TSP contribution amount to ensure they reach their goals (if possible).   Keep in mind that the younger you are the more a furlough will impact your TSP savings in the long term unless you find a way to increase your TSP contribution in 2013 to make up for any reduction in contributions due to a furlough.  Continue reading “SEQUESTRATION FACT SHEET #3”
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