FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2005
October 11, 2005
FLRA Grants Successorship to AFGE's Border Patrol Union, Orders Election for Control of Remaining CBP Employees
(Washington)—“As the nation’s Homeland Security union, the American Federation of Government Employees is secure that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees will elect AFGE as their union in an upcoming election,” AFGE National President John Gage said.
“AFGE already represents a majority of Department of Homeland Security workers, including some 12,000 Border Patrol employees, who are part of CBP. As the remaining CBP employees review their options, I’m sure they will see the wisdom in having one voice represent the agency. AFGE is poised for this election, and is confident that CBP workers will make the right decision and elect AFGE as its only union,” Gage added.
CBP employees previously have been represented by more than one union; however, the Federal Labor Relations Authority recently ordered that an election be held to determine a single bargaining unit. The FLRA also granted AFGE successorship over its Border Patrol union.
AFGE has worked diligently to ensure the rights of all Department of Homeland Security employees, and with the recent launch of its 6(c) campaign, has been involved in efforts to ensure full law enforcement status for CBP officers. “CBP officers are law enforcement officers, but aren’t recognized as such where benefits are concerned,” Gage said. “It’s a travesty to the testament of this nation that the men and women who guard our borders and protect us in the war on terrorism are treated like second-class citizens.”
AFGE is the largest federal employee union representing 600,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia, including the largest constituency of DHS employees, comprising Border Patrol, Customs & Border Protection, Immigration & Customs Enforcement; FEMA workers; civilian Coast Guard employees and TSA screeners.
“AFGE already represents a majority of Department of Homeland Security workers, including some 12,000 Border Patrol employees, who are part of CBP. As the remaining CBP employees review their options, I’m sure they will see the wisdom in having one voice represent the agency. AFGE is poised for this election, and is confident that CBP workers will make the right decision and elect AFGE as its only union,” Gage added.
CBP employees previously have been represented by more than one union; however, the Federal Labor Relations Authority recently ordered that an election be held to determine a single bargaining unit. The FLRA also granted AFGE successorship over its Border Patrol union.
AFGE has worked diligently to ensure the rights of all Department of Homeland Security employees, and with the recent launch of its 6(c) campaign, has been involved in efforts to ensure full law enforcement status for CBP officers. “CBP officers are law enforcement officers, but aren’t recognized as such where benefits are concerned,” Gage said. “It’s a travesty to the testament of this nation that the men and women who guard our borders and protect us in the war on terrorism are treated like second-class citizens.”
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AFGE is the largest federal employee union representing 600,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia, including the largest constituency of DHS employees, comprising Border Patrol, Customs & Border Protection, Immigration & Customs Enforcement; FEMA workers; civilian Coast Guard employees and TSA screeners.
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