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AFGE Suggestions

February 28th, 2025 | Posted by admin in Did you know? | DOGE - (0 Comments)

All employees should obtain a hard copy and/or electronic copy of:

From your e-7B FILE

*FY 2025 Mid term Discussion

From your e-OPF File

*1st SF-50 (showing start date of Federal Service)

*last SF-50 (probably shows COLA)

*Any SF-50 generated for an award

In addition, visit Employee Express and select the option to MAIL your W-2.

NOTE: you are allowed to email your own personal PII, (your name, address, ssn) to your personal email address. If a security pop up box comes up you must select that this is MY Personal Information.

AFGE Contact INFO:

call/text 833-575-1395

Message from AFGE/SSA General Committee 02/28/2025

February 28th, 2025 | Posted by admin in Did you know? | DOGE | Your Rights - (0 Comments)

The Union has submitted a bargaining demand (including a cease and desist) and information request in response to last night’s HRIC threatening massive reorganization, elimination of offices and positions, and reduction-in-force (RIFs). The Agency is offering several things in advance of any such actions, including voluntary early retirement (VERA), voluntary reassignment to mission critical positions, and voluntary separation incentive payments (VSIP). The HRIC email raises more questions than it answers, such as what offices/positions/functions are considered mandated by statute or mission critical, and which are not? What happens if there is a lapse in appropriations after March 14, 2025, which is also the deadline for employees to make decisions? We are working to get these answers and more ASAP so employees can make the most informed decisions possible.

In the meantime, employees should remember that the deadline is 3/14/2025, so there is not an immediate need to rush to make any decisions today, tomorrow, or next week. Employees should closely review the links provided in the emails regarding the eligibility and potential payback requirements of the options. For example, employees taking the VSIP would face repayment obligations and restrictions on federal hiring for five years:

An employee who receives a VSIP and later accepts employment for compensation with the Government of the United States within 5 years of the date of the separation on which the VSIP is based, including work under a personal services contract or other direct contract, must repay the entire amount of the VSIP to the agency that paid it – before the individual’s first day of reemployment.

Additionally, employees should use the GRB platform, linked in the HRIC, to review their retirement options, as well as their potential severance pay that they could possibly receive in the event of a RIF. You can find the severance pay calculator at the bottom of the retirement estimate page. Severance pay could be as high as a full year’s salary, depending on length of service, pay rate, and other factors as set by statute. Of course, none of this should be considered financial guidance, and we strongly encourage that you consult financial/retirement advisors for assistance as necessary before making decisions.

We continue to face uncertain, stressful times. AFGE is resolute in defending our workforce, our offices, and our ability to carry out our mission to serve the public. More soon.

SSA DISMANTLES EEO DEPARTMENT

February 26th, 2025 | Posted by admin in Did you know? | DOGE - (0 Comments)

SSA Press Release

Tuesday, February 25, 2025
For Immediate Release

Mark Hinkle, Press Officer
press.office@ssa.gov

Social Security Dissolves Duplicative Office
Action is Another Step to Enhance Operations

The Social Security Administration today announced the closing of a component within the agency, the Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity. Employees in this office will be put on administrative leave effective today.

“Our focus is supporting President Trump’s priorities, which include streamlining functions and prioritizing essential work,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “Terminating the Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity, and reassigning statutory responsibilities performed by this office, advances the President’s goal to make all of government more efficient in serving the American public.”

SSA will transfer responsibility for processing Equal Employment Opportunity complaints, reasonable accommodation requests, and other statutorily required functions to other SSA components to ensure compliance with existing legal authorities.

To learn about other changes the agency has made, visit Social Security Eliminates Wasteful Department and Social Security Announces Change to Improve Agency Operations and Strengthen Protections.

Read Acting Commissioner Dudek’s statement on his commitment to transparency and protecting benefits and information.

AFGE FIGHTS FOR PROBATIONARY EMPLOYEES

February 26th, 2025 | Posted by admin in Did you know? | DOGE - (0 Comments)

AFGE Files Lawsuit Against OPM for Illegal Mass Firings of Probationary Employees

February 24, 2025

AFGE, along with AFSCME, AFGE Local 1216, and United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Feb. 19, challenging the agency’s unprecedented mass firing of probationary federal employees. 

The lawsuit alleges that OPM’s egregious firings were made on false pretenses and violate federal law, including the Administrative Procedure Act and other statutes defining federal employment and OPM’s role. These firings were executed across federal agencies, based on directives from OPM.  

OPM, the lawsuit asserts, acted unlawfully by directing federal agencies to use a standardized termination notice falsely claiming performance issues. Congress, not OPM, controls and authorizes federal employment and related spending by the federal administrative agencies, and Congress has determined that each agency is responsible for managing its own employees.  

In federal service, new employees and employees who change positions (including through promotions) have probationary status. But OPM is exploiting and misusing the probationary period to eliminate staff across federal agencies. 

The unions are asking for an injunction to stop further terminations and to rescind those that have already been executed.  

“This administration has abused the probationary period to conduct a chaotic, ill-informed, and politically driven firing spree. The result has been the indiscriminate firing of thousands of patriotic public servants across the country who help veterans in crisis, ensure the safety of our nuclear weapons, keep power flowing to American homes, combat the bird flu, and provide other essential services,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley. “These actions aren’t just illegal. They are hurting everyday Americans and making us all less safe. It’s a stark reminder of the price we all pay when you stack the government with political loyalists instead of professionals.” 

AFGE MESSAGE 02/25/2025

February 26th, 2025 | Posted by admin in Did you know? | DOGE - (0 Comments)

Guidance: OPM Email

From National President Kelley:

Earlier today, I sent a letter to Acting OPM Director Ezell insisting he rescind yesterday’s email from hr@opm.gov. Since last night, it has become even more clear that the thoughtless and bullying email was meant to intimidate federal employees and cause mass confusion. Agencies across the federal government have acknowledged that confusion and that they were unaware the email was being sent. As of this writing, several agencies have now provided guidance to employees.

Though we believe the email and the resulting agency instructions are improper, we advise that you comply with any directive that has come from your agency. Simply put, if your agency has asked you to reply, you should do so and highlight the important work that you do for the American people. If you are in a situation where you have been prevented from performing your duties by the current administration’s attacks (USAID, for example), say so, as well as the positive contributions you would be making were you permitted to work as usual. If you have engaged in advocacy for your agency or protected activity, I would also note that and simply state that you have continued to stand ready to support your agency, its mission, and the public.

If your agency has informed you that you should not respond, you should comply with that directive. Similarly, if you have not received any guidance from your agency, we reiterate our advice from yesterday that you should ask your supervisor whether you should respond and, if so, how. Until you receive a response or other agency directive to respond, we do not believe you have any obligation to do so.

Finally, if you are on leave, we do not believe you have any obligation to respond. If you wish to respond, you may wish to ask your supervisor for any overtime or compensatory time that you may be entitled.

AFGE will continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates as necessary. Separate guidance for local leaders will be issued later today.

In solidarity,

Everett Kelley

AFGE National President

SSA Disbands EEO Department’s

February 25th, 2025 | Posted by admin in Did you know? | DOGE | Your Rights - (0 Comments)

February 25, 2025

The Union has become aware that the Agency’s Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity (OCREO) is being disbanded and its staff being placed on administrative leave.

We do not yet know which component(s) or office(s) will assume OCREO’s statutory responsibilities, whether there are bargaining unit employees in OCREO impacted, and other questions. We have demanded formal notice with specific information on all aspects of the dissolution process.

Once received (or if not received), the Union consider its course of action to ensure that the statutory and contractual rights of AFGE bargaining unit employees are respected and upheld. This is a deeply alarming situation, to say the least, and will be addressed promptly and seriously.

AFGE Letter to Members 02/23/2025 6:30pm

February 24th, 2025 | Posted by admin in Did you know? | DOGE - (Comments Off on AFGE Letter to Members 02/23/2025 6:30pm)

Dear Member,

Earlier today, I sent a letter to Acting OPM Director Ezell insisting he rescind yesterday’s email from hr@opm.gov. Since last night, it has become even more clear that the thoughtless and bullying email was meant to intimidate federal employees and cause mass confusion. Agencies across the federal government have acknowledged that confusion and that they were unaware the email was being sent. As of this writing, several agencies have now provided guidance to employees.

Though we believe the email and the resulting agency instructions are improper, we advise that you comply with any directive that has come from your agency. Simply put, if your agency has asked you to reply, you should do so and highlight the important work that you do for the American people. If you are in a situation where you have been prevented from performing your duties by the current administration’s attacks (USAID, for example), say so, as well as the positive contributions you would be making were you permitted to work as usual. If you have engaged in advocacy for your agency or protected activity, I would also note that and simply state that you have continued to stand ready to support your agency, its mission, and the public.

If your agency has informed you that you should not respond, you should comply with that directive. Similarly, if you have not received any guidance from your agency, we reiterate our advice from yesterday that you should ask your supervisor whether you should respond and, if so, how. Until you receive a response or other agency directive to respond, we do not believe you have any obligation to do so.

Finally, if you are on leave, we do not believe you have any obligation to respond. If you wish to respond, you may wish to ask your supervisor for any overtime or compensatory time that you may be entitled.

AFGE will continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates as necessary. Separate guidance for local leaders will be issued later today.

In solidarity,

Everett Kelley

AFGE National President

FEEA ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES!

February 24th, 2025 | Posted by admin in Budget | College Assistance | Did you know? | FEEA | Labor History - (Comments Off on FEEA ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES!)

Dear Member,

Reminder! FEEA’s annual scholarship competition is available for eligible students and open until March 13, 2025. The scholarship, which ranges from $1,000 to $5,000, can be used for tuition and fees at any accredited college or university.

Eligible students include:

  • Federal employees
  • Their children, step-children, and legal dependents (under age 25)
  • Their spouses
  • Some associations and unions partner with FEEA and include scholarships for members, members’ children, grandchildren, spouses, or retiree members’ children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. Details are included on the website.

Program information, detailed instructions, and a link to the application can be found here: https://feea.org/our-programs/scholarships/.

We hope you and your family take advantage of this opportunity.

In Solidarity,

AFGE

AFGE Notice to OPM 02-23-2025

February 23rd, 2025 | Posted by admin in Did you know? | DOGE - (Comments Off on AFGE Notice to OPM 02-23-2025)

AFGE guidance to members 02/22/2025

February 23rd, 2025 | Posted by admin in Did you know? | DOGE - (Comments Off on AFGE guidance to members 02/22/2025)

Dear Member,

Many of you have already received, or will soon receive, an email from a U.S. Office of Personnel Management (“OPM”) email address hr@opm.gov titled “What did you do last week?” This email requests all federal employees to respond with approximately five bullet points detailing their work over the past week. No explanation has been provided regarding how this information will be used or why it is being requested. While a message on X from Elon Musk suggested that failure to respond would be considered a resignation, the OPM email itself does not contain this threat, and there is no known authority for Mr. Musk to make this claim.

AFGE strongly believes this email was sent illegitimately and that OPM lacks the authority to direct the assignment of work to agency employees in this manner. We will formally request that OPM rescind the email and clarify under what authority it was issued. In the meantime, AFGE advises all federal employees to forward the email to their supervisor and seek guidance on whether and how to respond, including the type of information that can be disseminated to OPM. You may wish to use the following language in your email to your supervisor:

Dear Supervisor,

I received the below email today from a sender that was not within the agency or in my chain of command. Please provide me guidance on whether I am required to respond, and if so, how I should respond, by the end of my tour of duty on Monday. Please make sure to inform me of the type of information I should include in my response. If I am required to respond I will. I will assume that I have no obligation to respond to the email unless instructed to do so.

If directed by your supervisor to reply, you should comply with that directive consistent with any guidance provided by your agency. If your regular day off is Monday, substitute Sunday for Monday in the template above.

AFGE will provide further updates tomorrow for those who have not yet received a response from their supervisor. Subsequent guidance will address how those on official time may respond if required to do so by their agency.

In solidarity,

Everett Kelley

AFGE National President