FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2002
August 19, 2002
Diane S. Witiak
(202) 639-6419
Scott Treibitz
(703)276-2772 x11
(202) 639-6419
Scott Treibitz
(703)276-2772 x11
Federal Employees Rally for Homeland Security Wednesday, August 21 at Noon, Federal Building, Chicago
(CHICAGO)—Federal employees from across the country will rally at noon, August 21, in front of the federal building in Chicago (Dearborn and Park Streets), in support of a new national homeland security department.
"No one is more interested in making their homeland secure than the dedicated men and women of the federal government who put their lives on the line every day of the year,” said Bobby L. Harnage, Sr., National President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). “But President Bush’s plan won’t make America more secure if it undermines the rights of workers whose job it is to protect our country."
In response to an inquiry from a House lawmaker, the Office of Personnel Management could not cite a single example of how unions have ever compromised national security.
"Government employee unions have supported—not opposed—the homeland security effort," Harnage said. "Unions and union membership have never been incompatible with the provision of effective, efficient and reliable government services. In fact in the year since the September 11 attacks, union members have played a vital role in keeping our nation safe and protecting our freedom."
Rally speakers include Bobby L. Harnage Sr., National President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE); Dorothy James, National Vice President, 7th District, AFGE; T.J. Bonner, President, National Border Patrol Council, AFGE.
Statement by AFGE National President Bobby L. Harnage, Sr
Statement by Dorothy James
"No one is more interested in making their homeland secure than the dedicated men and women of the federal government who put their lives on the line every day of the year,” said Bobby L. Harnage, Sr., National President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). “But President Bush’s plan won’t make America more secure if it undermines the rights of workers whose job it is to protect our country."
In response to an inquiry from a House lawmaker, the Office of Personnel Management could not cite a single example of how unions have ever compromised national security.
"Government employee unions have supported—not opposed—the homeland security effort," Harnage said. "Unions and union membership have never been incompatible with the provision of effective, efficient and reliable government services. In fact in the year since the September 11 attacks, union members have played a vital role in keeping our nation safe and protecting our freedom."
Rally speakers include Bobby L. Harnage Sr., National President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE); Dorothy James, National Vice President, 7th District, AFGE; T.J. Bonner, President, National Border Patrol Council, AFGE.
Statement by AFGE National President Bobby L. Harnage, Sr
Statement by Dorothy James
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