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Families First…

April 5th, 2019 | Posted by admin in Did you know? | National Updates | News - (0 Comments)

Did you know the United States is the only industrialized nation that doesn’t offer its citizens paid family leave? While a few states require companies to offer some level of paid family leave to their workers, most employees in the public and private sectors get no paid time off to bond with a new child or to address medical and family emergencies.

Would 12 weeks of paid family leave benefit you and your family? Tell us how.

Some members of Congress want to change this. They have introduced legislation that would provide all federal employees with 12 weeks of paid leave for reasons covered by the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). These include:

  • The birth, adoption, or fostering of a new child;
  • Caring for seriously ill or injured family members;
  • Tending to an employee’s own serious health condition; and
  • Addressing health, wellness, financial, and other issues that arise when a loved one is serving overseas in the military or is a recently discharged veteran.

Providing paid family leave to federal employees will help build support for extending this benefit to all American workers and their families. That’s why AFGE strongly supports the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act of 2019 (HR 1534).

Here’s how you can help: Tell us how 12 weeks of additional paid leave would help you and your family.

No federal worker should have to decide between caring for a child or loved one and their paycheck. Implementing this paid leave bill would help foster better morale and improve employee retention by making employees feel like their personal needs and families matter.

Congress needs to hear from federal employees like you. Your stories are very important. They help put a human face to this important issue. Your stories could help convince members of Congress to support this bill by showing how it will help real people across the country.

Click here to complete a short form and submit your story. We may even feature your family’s story online!

In solidarity,

AFGE

 

WEAR RED –April 4, 2019

April 3rd, 2019 | Posted by admin in National Updates | Solidarity | Uncategorized | Wear Red Day - (0 Comments)

 

In May of 2018, the Administration announced three executive orders that chip away at due process and collective bargaining rights for federal employees and impede employee representation at the job site. Within three business days of issuance of the orders, AFGE filed a lawsuit int he U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. We won that suit, but the fight isn’t over. The administration is appealing the judge’s decision and is actively working to put the union-busting, democracy-busting executive orders back in place. 

On April 4, 2019 we’re headed back to court to fight the appeal. We need you and your coworkers to show management and the administration that our union isn’t going anywhere. 

Wear RED Thursday, April 4th. 

#AFGE

Share your pictures and Use the hashtag #RedForFeds

RETIREE UPDATES!

March 1st, 2019 | Posted by admin in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Are your Senators and U.S. Representative members of the Expand Social Security Caucus?Click here to find out.

FERS Retirees Deserve a Fair COLA

Congressman Gerry Connelly (VA) reintroduced legislation to equalize the cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) beneficiaries. Currently, retirees under the older Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) receive a higher COLA in most years because of differing calculation formulas. For 2019, CSRS beneficiaries received a 2.8% COLA while FERS annuitants received only 2.0%.   Dubbed the Equal COLA Act, H.R. 1254 would change that formula so that everyone would receive the same higher COLA. Here is moreon Congressman Connelly’s bill.

Voter ID Laws May Disenfranchise Older Voters

Congressman Rick Larsen (WA) is concerned with the impact of voter ID laws on older voters and others who may be unfairly disenfranchised. He noted that some older voters may not have a driver’s license and find that obtaining an ID can cost $75-175. He just introduced H.R. 650, the America Votes Act of 2019 to allow voters to submit a sworn, written affidavit affirming their identity. This piece describes the troubles some older voters experience in getting required ID to vote.

From our Brothers and Sisters at the Alliance for Retired Americans

As an AFGE Retiree, you are a member of the Alliance for Retired Americans, the leading voice for union retirees. Here is a report on the Alliance’s participation in the House Ways and Means Committee’s recent hearing on improving retirement security:

“On February 6, the House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Representative Richard Neal (MA), held a hearing on Improving Retirement Security for America’s Workers. The multiemployer pension crisis, the lack of retirement savings and the need to expand Social Security, as well as the need to lower prescription drug prices, were all discussed. The Alliance submitted a statement for the record for the hearing with its views on these issues.

“In light of the fact that 77% of Americans fall short of the savings target for their age, in large part because workers’ wages have been stagnant for 20 years while the cost of living has increased, Congress must take bold action to improve retirement security for all,” said Joseph Peters, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “We are committed to helping the new Congress find ways to address these critical issues for current and future retirees.” Read more coverage of the hearing here.

Federal Retirement Facts – Take this Quiz

Whether you are retired or getting ready to retire, it’s important to know your benefits. The answers to this quiz may help you make the best decisions.

Benefit Focus – Hotel Discounts in Time for Spring Travel

Did you know your AFGE retiree membership gives you access to discount hotel room rates? Your rates could be up to 70% lower than public online travel sites and hotel websites for over 800,000 participating hotels and resorts worldwide. Learn more here.

Financial Assistance

February 8th, 2019 | Posted by admin in Benefits | FEEA - (0 Comments)

If you need Financial Assistance Click Here!

 

Financial Assistance

You’ve Got Mail!

January 20th, 2019 | Posted by admin in DATA UPDATE MONTH - January | Did you know? | New Address | Your address updates - (0 Comments)

OR NOT!

YOU'VE GOT MAIL
There’s nothing worse than trying to reach out to one of your family members or friends, but realizing you don’t have their current email, phone, or mailing address. When it comes to our union family, having accurate contact information is just as important.
 
That’s why AFGE members voted at the 2015 National Convention to make January “Data Update Month.” 
 
To kickoff 2019, we’re asking every member of the AFGE family to take a couple minutes to update their contact information so we can mobilize members and spring into action when the time comes.  
 
 
 Don’t delay, visit MY PROFILE on the AFGE website.
 

SHUTDOWN RESOURCES

January 15th, 2019 | Posted by admin in Budget | Shutdown - (0 Comments)

Banks, Restaurants, Union Plus Lend a Helping Hand to Feds During Shutdown

January 14, 2019

   

 
Categories: The Insider

It has been over three weeks since the Trump administration began forcing more than 800,000 federal employees to either work without pay or stay home without pay. Many employees live paycheck to paycheck and won’t be able to pay their mortgages and other bills if they don’t get paid on time.  

But amid the bad news, there is some good news. Some major banks have expressed their willingness to work with federal employees, albeit on a case by case basis. Many restaurants are offering free food or a discount to federal employees. 

 

 

Here’s a list of financial institutions that have expressed willingness to work with federal employees struggling with their loan repayments. If you are a customer of one of these banks or Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company, you can reach out to them for assistance.  

Banks offering assistance to federal workers

1.    Wells Fargo  — The bank will work with individuals affected by the shutdown. Call 1-800-TO-WELLS, or the number on your credit card, debit card, or statement for assistance, or visit any Wells Fargo branch. For more information about this assistance program, click here.  

2.     Bank of America  — Bank of America has said it will work with customers on a case by case basis. Call the bank’s assistance line at (844) 219-069.  

3.     Citi  –– Citi has said it is offering assistance to feds facing financial hardships. Click here or call the number on your card to request assistance.   

4.     Chase  — Call 1-888-356-0023 for assistance.  

5.    Capital One— Capital One is offering a number of options that could help feds whose income is disrupted as a result of the shutdown. “We want to do our part to support individuals and families in need during this stressful time. Please call us or visit any of our locations for further assistance.” Card holders should contact 1-800-622-2580.

6.     Navy Federal Credit Union — The credit union is offering 0% APR loans during the government shutdown. Click here for more details.  

7.    First Command Financial Services — The bank told CNN it is offering its bank clients who are federal employees interest-free payroll advances and other assistance. Click here for more information. 

8.     Democracy Federal Credit Union —The credit union told CNN it is offering a short-term emergency loan with 0% interest. Contact Democracy FCU Member Services at (800) 742-5582.  

9.     Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company — Fidelity & Guaranty Life Senior Vice President John Phelps has reached out to AFGE to express the company’s appreciation for federal employees and their work for the American people. To help the nearly 27,000 AFGE members who currently have a policy with the company during this government shutdown, the company “will keep the policy-in-force by waving the cost of insurance charges for the next 30 days.”   

 

Need to find a local food bank or want to make a donation to help feds in need?  

Contact Feeding America.  

Here’s Feeding America’s message to AFGE members: 

Dear AFGE Members –

As the government shutdown enters its fourth week and many of you face the reality of a missed paycheck, I am writing to share a resource available to help you and your families during this challenging time: AFGE is pleased to announce a partnership with Feeding America to help our members in this time of need. 

Feeding America is a national network of 200 food banks and 60,000 partner food pantries that serves individuals in every community across the country. The Feeding America network has already begun preparing for the national impact of the government shutdown and the anticipated need to assist federal employees who are either furloughed or currently working without pay. The contact information for your local food bank can be found here, and they will guide you through the process of accessing the resources that are available to you and your family.

Many of you who are working and still have a pay check coming in have also asked what you can do to help your fellow members whose families are affected by the shutdown. We ask that you consider making a donation to support Feeding America’s efforts. Every dollar you donate can help provide as many as 10 meals through the Feeding America network of food banks. You can make a donation here.    

If you have questions or would like additional information about Feeding America, please contact Kate Leone, Chief Government Relations Officer, at kleone@feedingamerica.org.

Thrifts Saving Plan   

The TSP has issued the following message in response to the shutdown: 

“The TSP allows for the suspension of loan payments when you go into nonpay status to prevent your loan from going into default. Normally, we require documentation from your agency or service. However, the TSP does not need documentation of your furlough at this time. If your loan payments were up to date prior to the furlough, missing one or two payments will not cause your loan to be in default. You can check the status of your loan by logging into My Account, selecting “TSP Loans,” and then selecting “Are my payments up to date?” Or you can call the ThriftLine at 1-877-968-3778 and speak to a Participant Service Representative. 

As long as retroactive pay is approved, all missed loan payments will be submitted and posted to your loan. We will provide more information as the furlough continues or as events change.” 

Union Plus 

If you are a union member who participates in certain Union Plus programs and have been impacted by the 2019 Federal Government shutdown, you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Union Plus Furlough Grant Program. 

Union Plus Credit Card: 

$300 Furlough Grant 

For eligible Union Plus Credit Cardholders2 who are furloughed or excepted due to the federal government shutdown. 

·       Must be a Union Plus Credit Cardholder for at least 3 months and in good standing on the date the federal shutdown began. 

·       Apply for a one-time grant at unionplus.org/hardship. 

Capital One’s customer assistance program offers a number of options that could help customers whose income is disrupted as a result of the federal government shutdown and can help provide personalized assistance to those in need. For help, cardholders should contact: 1-800-622-2580. 

Union Plus Mortgage: 

·       Mortgage Assistance Loan & $300 Grant: for eligible Union Plus mortgage holders who are out of work or asked to work without pay due to an involuntary furlough that lasts for at least 15 consecutive calendar days. 

o   Must be a Union Plus Mortgage holder for at least 12 months and in good standing at time of the qualifying event. 

o   Your income must be reduced by an amount equal to at least 50% of the monthly mortgage payment. 

o   Interest-free loan to cover up to 6 months of mortgage payments and a $300 grant paid directly to the member 

o   Apply for grant at unionplus.org/hardship 

·       Wells Fargo is offering assistance on case-by-case basis: members may qualify for forbearance or other payment assistance programs based on their individual circumstances. For help, members should contact: 1-888-818-9147 Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Central Time Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Central Time  

Credit Counseling: 

·       Money Management International offers a FREE consumer credit counseling session, budget analysis, and money management advice to members. Call 1-877-833-1745  

Union Plus Life and Accident Insurance: 

·       Policyholders qualify for a payment grace period. Call 1-800-393-0864. 

Union Plus Personal Loan: 

·       First National Bank of Omaha is offering assistance on a case-by-case basis: members may qualify for fee waivers or other payment assistance programs based on their individual circumstances. For help, members should contact 1-888-283-5228 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Central Time.   

Union Plus Auto & Home Insurance 

·       For those not receiving a paycheck from the federal government as a result of the current shutdown, MetLife Auto & Home may grant a one-time, 30-day grace period on your payment of premium on a MetLife Auto & Home policy. Members must request this one-time allowance by calling 1-800-GET-MET8.  Certain restrictions apply, and premium remains due after delay expires.   

Union Plus Life and Accident Insurance  

·       The Hartford will offer qualified policyholders a payment grace period. For additional information, call 1-800-393-0864.    

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Partial Government Shutdown Update!

January 3rd, 2019 | Posted by admin in Budget | National Updates | Shutdown - (0 Comments)

On Sunday, January 6, 2018 at 6 p.m. ET, we will hold a conference call for all AFGE members to provide you the latest information on the ongoing partial government shutdown.

Call-in information:

• Call in number: 1-877-229-8493 
• Pass code: 110858#

Conference call agenda:

1. Remarks from National President
2. Legislative Update
3. Legal update
4. Communications Update
5. Our Response
6. Q&A

Please do everything you can to join us for the call. For more information and the latest guidance, visit www.afge.org/shutdown

In solidarity,
AFGE

Contract Bargaining Update

January 3rd, 2019 | Posted by admin in Contract | Executive Orders | KNOW YOUR CONTRACT - (0 Comments)

CONTRACT UPDATE- DECEMBER 26, 2018

BACKGROUND

Over the last few months, AFGE has been fighting an uphill battle with the Administration and the Agency. In July, the Agency unilaterally implemented the terms of three Executive Orders designed to shut down the Union and eliminate important workplace protections for all employees. The Agency unilaterally changed our ground rules for contract bargaining, intended to undermine our ability to negotiate on level ground by reducing bargaining sessions and refusing to cover certain negotiation costs. The Union lost significant preparation time and had to enter negotiations with a smaller team. Further, SSA’s initial contract proposals mirrored the terms of the Executive Orders, which made its anti-employee and anti-union position clear.

AFGE sued the Administration over the Executive Orders and won. On August 25, 2018, a U.S. district court judge invalidated much of the Executive Orders as unlawful. SSA rescinded the Executive Order terms it had already implemented and reverted back to the negotiate ground rules, though damage was done. The Union returned to the bargaining table demanding that SSA revise its contract proposals to reflect the court decision. When SSA finally provided revised proposals in September 2018, SSA maintained its most egregious proposals to dramatically slash representational time, eliminate space for representational work, and eliminate employee rights to challenge unfair appraisals, unfair award decisions, and unfair removals through the grievance and arbitration procedure. In response, the Union filed a grievance over the Agency’s continued adherence to invalidated provisions of the Executive Orders. In addition, the Agency proposed to strip negotiated telework rights and leave decisions on telework policy entirely to the discretion of management. Despite the severe anti-employee and anti-union environment, the Union nonetheless went to the bargaining table to secure employee rights and protections.

In October and November, the Union and the Agency agreed on Articles 3 (Employee Rights), 16 (Training), and 31 (Leave). Importantly, the Union saved the language in Article 3, Section 2.A which requires management to treat employees fairly and equitably in all aspects of personnel management, and without regard to protected class status. As the parties began to focus on Article 9 in November, the Agency abruptly changed its behavior with the Union. Despite the progress that the parties had made in October and November, the Agency alleged that the Union was not bargaining fast enough. The Union retorted that the ground rules give the parties until March 1, 2019 to bargain, and that the parties had just reached agreement on three articles, in addition to numerous articles in prior months. Regardless, the Agency showed no interest in the Union’s proposals the rest of the week, and demanded the mediator release the parties to the Federal Service Impasses Panel (FSIP). The Union opposed this request based on the ground rules and the Agency’s bargaining behavior.

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What should I Wear?

January 1st, 2019 | Posted by admin in Did you know? | Events | Wear Red Day - (0 Comments)

FEDERAL EMPLOYEES UNDER ATTACK

December 27th, 2018 | Posted by admin in Budget | Did you know? | Political | Shutdown - (0 Comments)

420,000 Feds Have to Work Without Pay Under Trump Shutdown

December 17, 2018 (Insider)

 Nearly 420,000 federal employees will have to work without pay if President Trump decides to shut down the government on Dec. 22. 

 

The current funding measure will keep the government running through Dec. 21. President Trump has said he would be “proud” to shut down the government if he doesn’t get $5 billion from Congress to build a border wall. If the shutdown happened, it would be the third in 2018, disrupting work and pay for hundreds of thousands of federal workers in the middle of the holiday season.  

 

While hundreds of thousands of employees would be locked out of work, a large number of federal employees will still show up for work to keep our government running. They just have to work without pay. According to new numbers from the office of Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Patrick Leahy, we’re talking 420,000 employees. A few examples:  

 

41,000 law enforcement officers   

  • 2,614 ATF agents 
  • 16,742 Bureau of Prisons correctional officers 
  • 13,709 FBI agents 
  • 3,600 deputy U.S. Marshals 
  • 4,399 DEA agents 

 

158,000 Department of Homeland Security employees 

  • 53,000 TSA Employees; 
  • 54,000 Customs and Border Protection agents and customs offers; 
  • 42,000 Coast Guard employees 
  • As many as 5,000 Forest Service Firefighters 
  • 3,600 Weather Service Forecasters 

 

More than 380,000 employees will be locked out of work without pay 

A few examples: 

  • 86% of the Department of Commerce (about 41,000 employees), 
  • 96% of NASA (about 16,700 employees) 
  • More than 80% of the National Park Service (about 16,000 employees) 
  • At least 80% of the Forest Service (approximately 28,800 employees) 
  • More than 30% of the Department of Transportation (about 18,300 employees) 
  • 95% of the Housing and Urban Development (about 7,100 employees) 
  • About 52,000 IRS employees 

 

In addition, nine out of 15 Cabinet-level departments and dozens of agencies will close. Small businesses, farmers, homeowners, low-income children, and rural communities are among the people who would be affected. See the full list here. 

Our union is urging President Trump to work with Congressional leadership to ensure federal workers don’t ‘get left out in the cold this holiday season. 

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