AFGE National explains why…
The deal to end the shutdown and raise the debt ceiling is only a temporary measure.
The economic and social costs of shutting down the government for three weeks will be felt for months and possibly years.
Vital public services were compromised during the shutdown.
The shutdown was the latest injustice to hit federal workers.
Read more at: AFGE Post Shutdown Talking Points!
AFGE 1395 extends a big shout out to the participants at and supporters of our Rally held on October 16, 2013. With over 100 AFGE Local 1395 members and friends attending our action — including AFGE 7th District staff and Department of Labor employees — our government shutdown concerns got noticed by the press! Here’s an article from the Chicago Tribune that captures some sentiments…
Mourning Decline of Service to the Public
Name: Federal Social Security Employees
Where: Chicago Region
Next of Kin: Beneficiaries
Memorial Service or Funeral March: October 16, 2013, 600 W. Madison St. Chicago, Il. 60661
Federal Employees who are tireless advocates have been working without pay and respect in providing services to the public are unable to provide such services as issuing Social Security cards, Benefit Verification, replacement Medicare Cards, disability reviews scheduling hearings and other workloads. Please show your support by joining in our mourning and advocate we be allowed to do our work with pay,dignity and respect.
Edgar Mullins, of Richton Park, and Justin Jones, of Chicago Heights, became victims of the federal government shutdown on Thursday.
They lined up early in the morning in front of the Social Security Administration office in Chicago Heights.
The office was open for business but wasn’t offering new or replacement Social Security cards, the reason Mullins and Jones were there.
“I lost my Social Security card years ago when my wallet was stolen and need one to start truck driving school on Monday,” Mullins, 31, told me as we stood in front of the SSA building on Halsted Street near 197th Street.
“They told me inside that until the government returns to normal, I’m out of luck.”
We need as many calls as possible. Please take a few minutes to make this important phone call to your Representative.
Deliver this simple message: “I’m calling to urge the Representative to Stop the Shutdown and Stop the Sequester.“
NOTE: Call from your personal cell phone or your personal home phone, not on duty time.
AFGE Local 1395 held Training for its new Stewards September 16-19, 2013 at the Chicago Harold Washington Social Security Building:
New Stewards ODAR: Latonya Berry, Livonia, MI; Tam Huynh, Valparaiso, IN; Anthony Otto, Oak Park, MI; Donald Terry, Orland Park, IL; Rosalyn Yates, Oak Brook, IL; Carrie hill, Lansing, MI; Ron Farrington, Milwaukee, WI
New Stewards PSC: Angela Barnhart, Monica Harris, Abigail Jones, Linda Powe, Donna Safford, Sean Shideler, Jonathan Thedford, Bettina Walker, Shovan Waller, Susana Montelongo
New Stewards FO: Kimberly Ponder, Chicago TSC; Lisa Sweenet, Chicago TSC; Tara Hogan, Kankakee, IL; Martha Fahoome, E. St. Louis, IL* “Best New Recruiter”
On June 12, 2013 AFGE Local 1395 held its triennial elections and the results are as posted:
LOCAL 1395 ELECTION RESULTS
President (1) Agatha Joseph
Executive Vice-President (1) Richard Sorokas
Vice-President at Large (3) H. Justine James
Archester Neal
Eddie Smith
Vice-President for D.O. (3) Dennis Clamors
Mario Connie
Patricia Hayes
Vice-President for OQP (3) Patricia Dugas
John Hawes
Vice-President for PSC (3) Gregory A. Cole
Sean Shideler
Durrell Walton
Vice-President for ODAR (3) Karen Clelland
Betsy Compton
Betty White
Administrative Director for PSC (1) Cheryl Bellamy-Bonner
Administrative Director for DO (1) Charlotte Lewis
Administrative Director for OQP (1) Earl Tucker
Administrative Director for ODAR (1) Greg Senden
Treasurer (1) Deborah Flynn
Financial Secretary (1) Bettina Walker
Office Manager (1) JoAnne Coleman
Recording Secretary (1) Linda Powe
Correspondence Secretary (1) Patricia Washington
Sergeant at Arms (1) Janice Antonio
Executive Board Member for ODAR (2) Shirley Evans
Anthony Mayes
Executive Board Member for PSC (2) Catherine Mulligan
Shovan Waller
Executive Board Member of OQP (2) Alonzo Flynn
Melvin Edwards
Executive Board Member for DO (2) Kourtney M. Craigmiles
Randy Harris
Council Delegate for PSC (1) Cheryl Bellamy-Bonner
Council Delegate for DO (3) Patricia Hayes
Vanessa McCollum
Patricia Washington
Council Delegate for OQP (1) Earl Tucker
Council Delegate for ODAR (1) **
Delegates and Alternates to the National Convention & 7th District Caucus (7)
Patricia Hayes
Archester Neal
Gregory A. Cole
Melvin E. Edwrads
Alonzo Flynn
Eddie T. Smith
Dennis Clamors
** Automatic delegate by virtue of office
Proud Union Home Lawn Signs are available in the union office. Limited Supply.
House bills would inflict further harm on already besieged workforce
The American Federation of Government Employees is urging House members to reject three bills targeting federal employees that are expected to be voted on this week.
In a letter to representatives, AFGE Legislative and Political Director Beth Moten outlined AFGE’s opposition to the following bills: the Common Sense in Compensation Act (HR 1541), the Government Employee Accountability Act (HR 2579) and the Citizen Empowerment Act (HR 2711).
Member Cost:
$30.00 Park Admission (Limit 7 tickets)
Includes: FREE Meal (3:30 – 5:00)
($55.00 savings per person)
