AFGE locals across the country are ramping up their organizing campaigns, resulting in a record-breaking increase in September’s monthly membership adds of 5,120, the highest since January.
Despite this record success, we also saw a decrease in overall membership this month because all membership drops from Council 118’s separation from AFGE were counted in September.
Nevertheless, AFGE locals across the federation are working hard to continue growing union power, with Veterans Affairs locals being some of the most active in the federation on the organizing front
Doubling membership
AFGE Local 1674 representing non-professional employees at the Veterans Affairs hospital in West Haven, Conn., found a way to connect with potential members. As a result, the number of members went from 400 to 800 in just two months.
Sherron Burke-Gilliam, the local president, said she gave out her personal cell phone number to employees so they can call her any time. Her outgoing personality and passion for the union have also won people over.
“They do call me when they’re stressed. Even when I’m off duty, I still take their calls,” said the local president. “I listen to people. I win their cases. They said ‘I’ll join the union because I see that you’re passionate.’”
The local makes use of New Employee Orientation to talk about the benefits of joining the union, including Union Plus discounts and benefits that most people are attracted to. The local spells out how the dues will be paid off with the use of just a few membership benefits.
Burke-Gilliam said she goes to every department to talk to everyone, and if professional employees want to join the union, she sends them to another AFGE local at the hospital that represents them.
Her local’s goal is to get to 1,000 members by the end of the year and 1,500-2,000 next year.
“Can we do it? Yes, we can!” said the local president, who was joined by other local officers in the interview. “This can be done if we come together. Teamwork makes a dream work!
Surpassing the 1,000-member mark
At the VA Central Office (VACO), AFGE membership has just surpassed 1,000 for the first time. According to AFGE Local 17 Treasurer Bill Wetmore, Local President Douglas Massey was the driving force behind the 1,000-member mark.
“We don’t have organizing drives like we used to. We do pick up some at NEO. But it is more often due to Doug pushing issues out and people join online,” said Wetmore. “Doug did push out some issues more often to get there and did get an officer and a steward to work specifically at recruitment.”
The VA central office has 12 main offices, including administrations for health, benefits and memorial affairs as well as procurement and Board of Veterans’ Affairs, which is the biggest single unit at VACO.
“Most of our officers and reps come from there, and they are mostly attorneys. Probably why we are so aggressive,” he added.
The bargaining unit is 2,000, and the local’s goal is to get to 100% organized.
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