New Member Orientation Lunch and Learn This presentation

New Member Orientation Lunch and Learn

This presentation is designed to outline : 1. What is a Union? 2. What is AFGE National ? 3. What is AFGE National District 7? 4. How does SSA align with AFGE? 5. What is SSA AFGE Council 220 Chicago Region? 6. What is SSA AFGE Local 3272? 7. What is SSA AFGE National Contract? 8. What are some of the Member Benefits of being part of the union? 9. How do you get more information?

What is a union? The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is an integral part of the labor movement in this country. Its history and accomplishments over the last century is important. • AFGE was chartered in 1932 and within five years, its membership had grown to 25, 000. • In 1945, AFGE successfully lobbied for the Federal Employees Pay Act, which increased classified salaries by nearly 16% and provided payment for overtime, night, and holiday work. During World War II, the Government had frozen employee wages. • During the early 1950 s, AFGE and the AFL-CIO worked to overhaul Government retirement laws. One provision called for retirement at age 55 with 30 years of federal service. • AFGE fought for Executive Order 10988, which President Kennedy signed in 1962. It established exclusive recognition and bargaining rights to Unions in the Federal Government. • President Nixon later signed Executive Order 11491, which established formal collective bargaining within the Federal Government. AFGE continues to work for you -- but it’s an effort that requires everyone’s attention. When you’re asked to complete a survey, please take a few minutes and do that. If you’re asked to attend a rally, show up and be counted. Work on this contract can only succeed if you’re personally involved!

What is AFGE National? The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union representing 600, 000 federal and D. C. government workers nationwide and overseas. Workers in virtually all functions of government at every federal agency depend upon AFGE for legal representation, legislative advocacy, technical expertise and informational services. AFGE believes that all unions should belong to the house of labor and has been nationally affiliated with the AFL-CIO since AFGE was founded in 1932. The union is headquartered in Washington, D. C. , and divided into 12 geographical districts consisting of some 1, 100 locals. Over one-half of AFGE’s members are consolidated into agencywide bargaining units. Agencies with the highest concentration of union membership include the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration and the Department of Justice.

What is AFGE National District 7? District 2: New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island District 3: Delaware, Pennsylvania District 4: Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia District 5: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands District 6: Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio District 7: Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin District 8: Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota District 9: Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma District 10: Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, New Mexico, Panama District 11: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Guam, Okinawa, Utah, Wyoming District 12: Arizona, Hawaii, California, Nevada District 14: D. C. Metropolitan area, Europe

How does SSA align with AFGE? AFGE National : 5 Council Presidents: SSA National : Commissioner Astrue Field Offices = Council 220 Headquarter = Local 1923 ODAR = Council 215 OQP = Council 224 Payment Centers = Council 109 Wilkes Barre DOC AFGE Chicago Regional Vice President : SSA Chicago Regional Commissioner -Michigan -Illinois -Ohio -Wisconsin -Indiana AFGE Local 3272 : Covers Two Areas 1 & Area 4 -Area 4 = 1 Area Director Office 22 Field Offices -Area 1 = 5 Field Offices SSA Area 4 Area Director -Covers One Area: - Area = 1 Area Director Office 22 Field Offices

What is SSA AFGE Council 220 Chicago Region? AFGE Council 220, the national council of Social Security Administration field operations Locals represents about 40, 000 Social Security employees in field offices and telephone centers located in communities across the United States.

What is AFGE Local 3272 ? Local 3272 represents 24 Field Offices in Area 1 and Area 4 outside of the Detroit area. We provide representation for approximately 450 bargaining unit members in these offices. Representation covers all issues to include, but not limited to, pay raises, office closings, performance evaluations , and wrongful terminations of new hires.

2005 -2008 AFGE Local 3272 Officers Jamie Guinn. Treasurer Ken Keillor. President Jo. Ann Weidman. Woman’s Coordinator Joette Maschke. Secretary Jim Campana – Chief Steward Rosendo Rocha. EVP

What is the SSA / AFGE National Contract? The SSA / AFGE National Contract outlines your rights as an employee. This contract will detail information about topics to include but not limited to: awards, promotions, annual leave (vacation time), sick leave, and when new hires become full-time employees.

What are some of the benefits of being part of the union?

How to get more information? • Keep in mind that the agency records all emails and monitors all phone calls. Please contact your local office union representative on or before work, after work, breaks and lunch time. We recommend you contact us from your home e-mail in order to protect your privacy.