AFGE's UnionBlog Latest Comments

RE:

Mary Morgan — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:11:00 EST

Where is the Union? No one needs a union more than the poor Americans working throughout the Middle-East. There is a strong lack of adherence to American labor laws and we stand helpless against the outrageous tactics of the management. We have CPO's over here that would be fired if they worked in corporate American for their threats and tactics they use to mismanage the employees. It is a sad state of affairs. Americans have No protection and every legal office that is suppose to be set up to assist us fails us in every way and denies us access to the American legal system and fails to protect us from networked management. It is appalling and someone needs to save the thousands upon thousands of Americans that are being exploited working in the Middle-East. We need a union, that is our only alternative to have basis human rights.

RE:Do LPN's really matter

Marcia Blaine — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 10:28:00 EST

Yes, LPN's matter. I have been one for 35 years and worked in all areas of nursing except OR.

I work at a hospital which has a GS-7 only LPN job,It is called Patient Support Team. It started out as a GS-5, then went to GS-6 that was a progression of 15 years.

we place IV's and collect blood specimens for the entire hospital.

We work independantly and are very needed.

We also have many LPN students who come and have there clinical with us.

Marcia

RE:RE:Uniform Wear

mark mcauliffe — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:50:00 EST

if you can blame the union on this than you must be one of those not involved guys. i work at westover arb and no one here wants this. we need to link together and say no.... we need to join with dover in this fight. Dan sacco at dover call me please.

new steward at westover,

mark.mcauliffe@charter.net

RE:RE:RE:still fighting the AR 190-56

Curtis Casper — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 06:19:00 EST

Is the draft on computer? If so could someone send the draft to my private email. Curt19972@aol.com

RE:RE:Physical Agility Test

Judy Hansford — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:37:00 EST

The DEFCON AR 190-56 Steering Committee, chaired by Everett Kelly, LP 1945, met during the DEFCON Spring Conference last week in St CharlesMO. We developed comments concerning the DRAFT REVISED AR 190-56. A significant change was to Appendix D - now called the Physical ABILITY TEST, and it defines the PAT as a condition of employment; provides for alternative events (25' dummy drag and 2.5 mile); adds policy on temporary medical restrictions; deletes the sit up and 300 meter sprint and adds vertical jump. Also, the PMOG temporily suspended any adverse actions for failure to pass the PAT pending the final revisions of the AR 190-56.

We have until 21 April to get final comments to Mark Gibson.

If you'd like a copy of the Revised Draft, email me at judy.hansford@comcast.net

RE:The Fight to Defeat NSPS is Not Over

Joanne Milligan — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:01:00 EST

This is not fair... and that's all I have to say we should not have NSPS for federal workers.

RE:RE:RE:

Lenora Smothers — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:37:00 EST

I have been with this office 17 years and we have never had a union meeting.

RE:hey when does AFGE start representing ODAR

Janet O'Brien — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:04:00 EST

I thought this was happening in our office! I spent the last two weeks filling in for our receptionist (answering phones, opening and routing incoming mail, preparing outgoing mail and greeting visitors to the office). I was expected to still do TYPING/MAILING and WKUP, not to mention catching up on that six week backlog of POST hearing files! And, of course, there is still that docket I was trying to finish up. The receptionist is not expected to do that. I had been absent for nearly six weeks, following back surgery, during which time all regular work assignments continued to stack on my desk. Two days later, I was asked if I was caught up! I'm back at my cubicle again and two days later, again asked if I was caught up. Who can catch up on eight weeks of work in two days? If it's "not about the numbers," why are continually expected to WKUP a set number of files, move a set number of POST and meet office disposition goals? Where is AFGE for ODAR?!

RE:still fighting the AR 190-56

Henry Craig — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:42:00 EST

Ar 190-56 Requires that All Police /Guards be able to wear a resperator.

Tb Med 502 and OSHA states that if an individual is required to wear a negitive pressure resperator and medically can not the Organization is required to provide a positive pressure resperator (PAPR).NIOSH approved CBRN PAPR do exist.

If anyone is losing their job because of this requirement then the organization is in Violation of Federal regulation.

RE:RE:still fighting the AR 190-56

Shawn Janson — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 01:45:00 EST

Just had a big break in the AR 190-56, are physicals have be stopped and the PT test has been stopped!!! We also got a draft of the NEW AR 190-56!!!!

RE:Who Needs a Uniform?

Rickey Southard — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 03:46:00 EST

I agree with the concerns of the article. I am an Army and National Guard veteran, and understand the concerns expressed in this article. I can't see that it would be of any benefit for a fresh recruit to outrank a civilian who is also a member of the reserves who may have much more time and grade. I also see it as a waste of taxpayer monies to sponser a uniform allowance for this program.

However, should the uniforms requirement become an additional requirement to the position, (after proper protocals are followed regarding the approval for such a requirement), that technician should hold at least the authority that he has in the reserve position in regard to rank, with civilian rating to be either at the same level or higher, depending on the position.

RE:RE:

TED RIGGS — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:50:00 EST

Attend Union meetings and while you're there, check out the Local's bylaws and you will probably see that the Local's Executive members vote in Stewards and also vote them out so get active at your Local's membership meetings.

RE:

Lenora Smothers — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:53:00 EST

I volunteered to be a union steward and to do it on my own time. I did this 3 times and was turned down 3 times. Now we don't have a steward in our office. The last three were hand picked by management. For sure we didn't elect them. They looked out for themselves. Give me a chance I will take the position and if your really a VP then you can give me that chance. If I have my local wrong it is because I have nobody here to ever hear the number!

RE:Who To Vote For

Phil Glover — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:12:00 EST

You are absolutely right. I wish she would stop. I have been angry since the Nevada caucus when Bill Clinton told union members to ignore the Culinary Workers endorsement. Then came out and said union leaders were strong arming members. Almost sounded like Rush Limbaugh. These are the same Clinton's that if they were getting the nomination (I use plural because I believe their running as a ticket already), they would want all union members to follow the endorsement of the union's.

Her latest comments, she has experience, McCain has experience and Obama has a speech is just wrong. He has been in elected office longer than she has. And besides, does 8 years as first lady and 12 years as first lady of Arkansas make you experienced to be commander in chief?

It's got to stop. In PA, I will be voting for Obama.

RE:Conscripted Service for Air Force Reserve Technicians

william lyndall — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 04:06:00 EST

This is not just about uniform wear for civilians. This is about the slow and deliberate demise of the civilian work force. Starting in the 80's with the change from CSRS to FERS. I did not know this but when they made the change to FERS they offered CSRS employees money to swap to FERS. (FERS being vastly better for the government) Thankfully alot of them did not take the bait. I am sure you all have noticed the 75% hike in healthcare insurance for us. Then came along NSPS which takes away all your veterans preference and all the security of your federal job. NSPS would also allow for the deployment of civilian workers to anywhere around the world. They want federal civilians to be just like active duty but half the cost of course and if left unchecked it will come to it. They now want a small portion of the Air Force Reserve to put the uniform on and act like active duty but not pay them the benefits.

RE:still fighting the AR 190-56

Gregorio West — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:39:00 EST

I strongly believe if your Commander cared about his employees along with other installation,he should follow suit and wait for the revised new AR 190-56. I had asked my LTC,COL why is it that you have a alternate PAT and we civilians dont have one,it appears to me that as a civilian we hold a higher standard than the military since we dont have on alternate PT test,for age or gender. He was not happy with my comments. `

RE:MetLife Dental Program Demands Overpayment from Participants

Cynthia Adams — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:47:00 EST

I too just received letters from MetLife Dental regarding overpayment and they will go to my primary insurance first to get payment. If that fails I am responsible for the overpayment. The services that are referenced in the letters are from a year ago, so what is MetLife going over their books looking to recoup monies from past members or services that we, as members can't claim for another year? Another great plan our government has chosen for us!

RE:Sour Notes on Social Security

kathleen sizemore — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:02:00 EST

If they had to live on Social Security like the rest of us when they retire, I am sure it would be a completely different story with them. We pay for our health care, we pay into Medicare and Social Security, this is our money, not something that they have the right to mess with.

RE:Physical Agility Test

Damon Woodfork — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:04:00 EST

We have not heard anything about the test being on either, we are still trying to see what they are going to do about Appendix D is the real question.

RE:RE:AR 190-56

Lance Pierce — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:23:00 EST

AR-190-56

I was a Supervisory Police Officer GS-09 at Red River Army Depot since 2005. The new regulation 190-56, effected me also. even though i was management and ineligible for union reresentation I am against the new regulation. I began my police career as a military policeman,retired from a department in Ga. and have been in police work for about 30 years. I am also a disabled vet. I had to leave my position as the police supervisor because I could not do the run. There is no provision for a waiver in the regulation and I think there should me. Someone with that much experience should not be lost from the Dept of the Army because of a running event. Keep me posted on what happens

Thanks

Lance Pierce