Sandra Caldwell had been subject to mistreatment from management. She was told to work through her lunch, was denied mandatory training, and was denied due process and workers’ rights. But she had no union to turn to because management changed her unit’s bargaining unit status codes after their BRAC move to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., excluding her and her co-workers from AFGE.
Back then, she couldn’t convince anyone to establish a union at Third Army Central. But when working conditions went from bad to worse, some of her co-workers agreed they had to do something about it. Caldwell saw the opportunity to bring in the union, so she secretly reached out to people and launched a union election petition. She had the help from four workers, including a GS-15, to get the signatures needed.
The process was long. Saddled with the hostile working environment, she almost gave up. But with the help and support of John Sammons, local president at Shaw Air Force Base, and National Organizer John Dean, she was able to complete the petition process. The union election was going to happen.
“The mail in ballot was the best method to reach out to everyone because management could not control the employees,” she said.
The ballots were counted on April 15, and AFGE won the election for the 68 non-pro employees. They will be represented by AFGE Local 1872 led by LP Sammons.
“Sandra Caldwell collected the signatures and made sure the employees who supported AFGE mailed in their ballots, said National Organizer John Dean. “It is the collective action of LP Sammons and Ms. Caldwell that the employees at Third Army Central now have union representation. This was not just a victory for AFGE, this was a victory for the federal employees at Third Army Central.”
AFGE congratulates Ms. Caldwell and LP Sammons for a job well done. We are so proud of you!
Sandra Caldwell had been subject to mistreatment from management. She was told to work through her lunch, was denied mandatory training, and was denied due process and workers’ rights. But she had no union to turn to because management changed her unit’s bargaining unit status codes after their BRAC move to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., excluding her and her co-workers from AFGE.
Back then, she couldn’t convince anyone to establish a union at Third Army Central. But when working conditions went from bad to worse, some of her co-workers agreed they had to do something about it. Caldwell saw the opportunity to bring in the union, so she secretly reached out to people and launched a union election petition. She had the help from four workers, including a GS-15, to get the signatures needed.
The process was long. Saddled with the hostile working environment, she almost gave up. But with the help and support of John Sammons, local president at Shaw Air Force Base, and National Organizer John Dean, she was able to complete the petition process. The union election was going to happen.
“The mail in ballot was the best method to reach out to everyone because management could not control the employees,” she said.
The ballots were counted on April 15, and AFGE won the election for the 68 non-pro employees. They will be represented by AFGE Local 1872 led by LP Sammons.
“Sandra Caldwell collected the signatures and made sure the employees who supported AFGE mailed in their ballots, said National Organizer John Dean. “It is the collective action of LP Sammons and Ms. Caldwell that the employees at Third Army Central now have union representation. This was not just a victory for AFGE, this was a victory for the federal employees at Third Army Central.”
AFGE congratulates Ms. Caldwell and LP Sammons for a job well done. We are so proud of you!