Free Republic

AFGE laments the Senate’s alteration of rules to push through Judge Neil Gorsuch WASHINGTON – In response to the U.S. Senate enacting the so-called “nuclear option” on the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court, American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. issued the following statement:“It is disappointing to see Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell change the rules of the Senate to allow for a simple majority vote on Supreme Court nominees now and in the future. He has rolled back long-standing Senate rules and traditions to lower the bar for Judge Gorsuch’s...

As hard as it will be to pass health insurance reform, tax reform, and infrastructure legislation, President Trump's toughest challenge will come in trying to cut the numbers of federal workers. Hard numbers are difficult to come by, but budget and government experts are calling the planned reductions in the federal workforce a "historic contraction" not seen since the drawdown after World War II.  Cabinet secretaries will have some leeway in how they reduce their departments' workforces.  Some may rely on the normal attrition that occurs in any workforce with retirements and vacancies created by promotions being responsible for...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 22, 2017AFGE says they hope to have an open dialogue with the agency’s new administratorWASHINGTON – AFGE commended newly-confirmed Administrator Scott Pruitt for opening a dialogue with frontline workers on his first day at the Environmental Protection Agency.“I am eager to see if Administrator Pruitt stands by his commitment to seek out guidance from the people who have dedicated their life’s work to protecting America’s air and water,” said AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr. “EPA workers have been made a scapegoat for many of our country’s problems, when in fact, they have only been...

Executive Order slashing federal workforce will trigger increase in costly contractors WASHINGTON – Donald Trump is backtracking on campaign pledges to create American jobs and cut wasteful government spending by issuing an executive order to freeze federal employee hiring across the country, which will result in more work being outsourced to more expensive contractors, the American Federation of Government Employees said today.“President Trump’s action will disrupt government programs and services that benefit everyone and actually increase taxpayer costs by forcing agencies to hire more expensive contractors to do work that civilian government employees are already doing for far less,”...

House proposal lets lawmakers slash federal workers’ pay, jobs without due process WASHINGTON – The American Federation of Government Employees strongly opposes a rule change being considered by the House of Representatives that would allow lawmakers to reduce the salary of any federal government employee, or eliminate a federal worker's job, without appropriate planning or scrutiny, AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr. said today.“The so-called Holman Rule undermines civil service protections for the millions of working people who process our Social Security checks, safeguard our borders, support our military, research cures for deadly diseases, and carry out programs and services...

Move recognizes sacrifice of federal workers, maintains tradition of pay raise parity between military and civilians WASHINGTON – The American Federation of Government Employees, the nation’s largest federal employee union, applauds President Obama’s decision to provide federal workers with a 2.1% pay raise in January.“Federal employees certainly deserve this modest boost in their pay, following years of pay freezes and miniscule increases that have left them worse off today than they were at the start of the decade,” AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr. said. “This pay adjustment will help employees pay their bills, reduce their debts, and cover...

'Hate Cannot Be the New Normal': Teachers, Working People in Unions, Faith and Civil Rights Leaders Urge President-Elect Trump to Condemn Hate Speech As the number of hate-related incidents has been escalating in the recent days following the 2016 election campaign marked by the extreme and hateful rhetoric of Donald Trump, working people in unions are calling on the president-elect to take a stand. During his acceptance speech, Trump said he would work to unite all working people.Working people are demanding that Trump commit to representing all of America’s people by "loudly, forcefully, unequivocally and consistently denouncing these acts and the...

AFGE: Federal workers will continue to do their jobs regardless of who is in officeWASHINGTON – American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. today issued the following statement in reaction to the presidential election results:“The American people have spoken and elected Donald Trump as the next president of the United States. As public servants, federal employees work for the American people and will continue to carry out the missions of their agencies under the Constitution and law.“AFGE will continue to fight for workers’ rights and for the programs and services government employees deliver for the American...

IMPORTANT: This information should not be downloaded using government equipment, read during duty time or sent to others using government equipment, because it suggests action to be taken in support or against legislation. Do not use your government email address or government phone in contacting your Member of Congress. American public needs to elect lawmakers who will lead the nation forward WASHINGTON – American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. today issued the following statement:“Averting a government shutdown with only days to spare is no reason to celebrate. Congress has merely kicked the can down the...

IMPORTANT:This information should not be downloaded using government equipment, read during duty time, sent to others using government equipment, or sent to anyone while in a government building because it involves election related activity.WASHINGTON – In response to the announcement that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has selected U.S. Senator Tim Kaine as her running mate, American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. today issued the following statement:“While representing Virginia in the U.S. Senate, Tim Kaine has been a vocal advocate for government workers and the programs we deliver to the American public. Like Hillary...

My father was a sixth-grade teacher active in his teacher union’s leadership. He instilled in me the value of unions. They helped our nation lead and prosper. Unions got laws passed limiting child labor, ensuring safe working conditions and compensating workers with a defined workweek and overtime pay. The strong, positive legacy of unions, runs counter to news the Supreme Court will hear a case next term that “could wipe out public-sector unions,” according to a recent report in Slate. I can’t help but wonder, however, if the dissolution of public sector unions would be such a bad thing. For...

A hack announced last week affected all current and retired federal employees, and hackers got their hands on much more personal information than previously announced, the American Federation of Government Employees said Thursday.A December breach of government systems containing personal information of millions of federal employees was worse than originally thought. A union of federal workers said Thursday that the attack, announced last week, had stolen confidential information of every single federal employee, past or present -- far more than was previously revealed. The government disputes those claims. It's the latest in a spree of damaging hacks against the government,...

Activists from AFGE Local 1920, AFGE Local 2109, and AFGE District 10 rallied in solidarity at Fort Hood Army Base Wednesday in support of a $15/hour minimum wage and a union for all workers. They joined labor activists all across the country who protested on April 15 to demand higher wages for low-wage workers, including those employed by the federal government.“We’re standing up for our colleagues,” said Cheryl Eliano, AFGE District 10 National Vice President. “These dedicated workers support our troops every day, but can’t afford to support their own families.”AFGE stands in solidarity with the Fight for 15 campaign....

Federal employees would see 5.5% pay cut under proposal, AFGE president says WASHINGTON – Federal employees would be on the hook for billions of dollars in cuts to their take-home pay and benefits under a budget plan issued today by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi, American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. said.“Senate leaders have doubled down on the vicious budget cuts proposed a day earlier by their House colleagues,” President Cox said. “Their vision for the future means more financial pain and sacrifice for millions of hard-working Americans who serve the public day in...

Companion to House bill ensures DHS employees get paid in event agency funding runs outWASHINGTON – American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. applauds Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland for introducing legislation that would ensure employees in the Department of Homeland Security are paid retroactively in the event of a funding lapse.The Senate bill is a companion to a bipartisan House bill introduced Feb. 24 by Reps. Don Beyer and Rob Wittman of Virginia.“Homeland Security employees should not be left wondering when or if they will get paid in the event of a shutdown,” Cox said....

Chanting “What time is it? Union time!”, “AFGE! AFGE!,” “AFL-CIO!” the nearly 500 AFGE members who attended the union’s legislative conference marched to Capitol Hill to demand an end to attacks on the federal workforce and job-and-morale-killing sequestration. To remind Congress that our Government Works for America, they held signs that read, “Food Inspectors Keep Our Food Safe,” “VA Doctors and Nurses Serve Our Veterans,” “TSOs Keep Us Safe,” “BPAs Keep Our Borders Safe,” “DoD Employees Protect the Troops,” and “SSA Workers Support Our Seniors.” “We are here to tell Congress that they cannot lift America up without lifting you,” AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer...

Bills by Rep. Connolly, Sens. Schatz, Cardin, would provide federal employees with fair increaseWASHINGTON – American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. applauded legislation introduced today in the House and Senate to provide federal employees with a 3.8 percent pay raise in 2016.The House bill was introduced by Representative Gerry Connolly of Virginia, while the Senate bill was introduced by Sens. Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Ben Cardin of Maryland.“Federal employees have seen their standard of living deteriorate thanks to a three-year pay freeze, unpaid furloughs, and higher retirement contributions for newer workers,” Cox said. “A...

The incoming chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has been outspoken about his plans to cut federal employees’ pay and pensions. Besides his previous proposal, Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin spoke with the Washington Post this week and discussed what he wants to do when he takes over the committee in January. On his chopping block are federal employees’ pay, health insurance, pensions, and the right to join a union.“I think it’s unrealistic for public-service employees to believe they are immune from modifications to their pay and benefit packages,” said Sen. Johnson, who was elected to...

Politically, are labor unions finished? It appears that might be the case. Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker once again humiliated organized labor with his comfortable re-election last Tuesday. While polls showed a close race, Walker beat his Democratic opponent, Mary Burke, by a 6-point margin 52/46. Labor unions had put Walker in the cross hairs ever since his 2010 gubernatorial victory, failed to oust him in the 2012 recall (Walker received more votes in this election than in the 2010 race), and came up short again in this contest. Walker is now a definite 2016 contender, with a reputation...

AFGE is proud to represent the more than 45,000 Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) who risk their own safety daily to ensure the safety of travelers in our airports. Because of their bravery, countless families travel daily by air without incident. Our union is committed to protecting the pay, benefits, and workplace rights you deserve.