Local 789 - It's About Time!
AFGE Local 789 represents professional employees whose duty station is Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, IL and Jesse Brown's CBOCs (Community Based Outpatient Clinics) in Chicago, the south suburbs, and Northwest Indiana.
The professionals Local 789 represents include physicians, psychologists, social workers, pharmacists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, registered respiratory therapists, recreational therapists, radiologists, dieticians, engineers, chiropractors, dentists, acupuncturists, and more!
Local 789 was founded and certified by the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) in 2012 after Jesse Brown employees voted to be represented by AFGE.
The local is part of AFGE's District 7 which covers Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan, is represented at the national level by the AFGE National VA Council #53 (NVAC) and is an active member of AFGE training Council #59. AFGE is an affiliate of AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) and Local 789 is active in the Illinois chapter through membership and participation in the Chicago Federation of Labor, one of IL AFL-CIO's 22 Ilinois Central Labor Councils.
Since 2012, Local 789 has represented its Jesse Brown VA bargaining unit employees (BUEs) in bargaining with management over changes to working conditions, representation in fact-findings and investigative interviews (a.k.a. Weingartens), advocating for employees, informing them of their rights, and supporting employees in organizing to improve their work environments.
The local has a proud history of successfully filing grievances to uphold the AFGE National VA Council Master Agreement - the contract between the VA and AFGE, negotiating local MOUs to improve the workplace, settling Unfair Labor Practice complaints through the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), invoking and winning arbitrations to uphold worker rights, and overturning unfair employee discipline. The local has held rallies, spoken to media, collaborated with other unions, and more to fight for the rights, dignity, and respect that workers deserve.
AFGE Local 789 is much more than a small group of officers and stewards representing members - it is a collective of Jesse Brown VA employees who work together for better working conditions. Our power is, and has always been, in the numbers, contributions, and solidarity of our members to work towards the greater good of all workers.
AFGE Local 789
It's About Respect
It's About Change
It's About Time!
Always In Solidarity,
Jennifer Cushman, LCSW
President, AFGE Local 789
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AFGE Local 789 and SEIU Rally for full staffing at Jesse Brown VA - Aug. 2018
Local 789 tabling with union information in Jesse Brown Atrium - July 2023
AFGE Local 789 and NNU rally in the Chicago Medical District for staff safety during the Covid-19 pandemic - 2020
Local 789 delegates attending the AFGE District 7 Cause - 2020
Local 789 delegates attending the National VA Council (NVAC) tri-annual Convention - Nov. 2022
Local 789 at Chicago Pride Parade with Chicago Federation of Labor an SAG-AFTRA - June 2023
Local 789 Member Benefits Fair and Jesse Brown VA with our benefits partner Benefit Architects, and ELT stopped by - July, 2023