Citing past problems, including discrimination against women and minorities, with so-called “merit” pay schemes tried in the Defense Department and a handful of other agencies, AFGE President J. David Cox is warning lawmakers against trashing federal pay grades.

WASHINGTON –Despite huge past problems with electronic verification of Social Security eligibility, the union representing the system’s workers says the Social Security Administration (SSA) is charging ahead with a plan to force almost all recipients into Internet-only communication. And that could endanger benefits for millions of people, adds AFGE.

RALEIGH, N.C.–North Carolina capitol police, obeying a GOP-passed law restricting access to the state capitol building in Raleigh, arrested American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) President J. David Cox during the latest “Moral Monday” protest there – this one dedicated to workers’ rights.

The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 205,000 workers at the troubled Veterans Affairs Department (VA), backs a reform bill to improve access to VA hospitals – and community health clinics, if needed – and to increase the numbers of VA doctors and nurses.

WASHINGTON –Working with the American Federation of Government Employees, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers defeated a Right Wing Republican’s scheme to substitute contractors for thousands of Defense Department civilian workers. During House debate on May 22 on DOD’s legislation for the year starting Oct. 1, Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kansas, tried to “place a moratorium on insourcing previously contracted activities” at […]

WASHINGTON–The American Federation of Government Employees is launching a year-long video campaign emphasizing federal workers’ contributions to U.S. society and well-being. The “I am AFGE” campaign of 2-minute videos stars the workers and is designed to counter political stereotypes.  For at least 30 years, candidates of both parties have run against “Washington,” insulted workers as overpaid time-servers, and often cut […]

WASHINGTON—Government workers’ union leaders and AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka slammed the federal budget deal top lawmakers reached on Dec. 10, saying it unfairly hits the nation’s 2 million federal workers – who have borne the brunt of prior budget cuts. And Trumka hit Congress for refusing to ask those who have gained the most from the slow economic recovery – […]