(WASHINGTON, D.C.)—The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is at the forefront of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) litigation to ensure that proper overtime payments are made to federal employees.
AFGE's Social Security Administration FLSA case reaped $125 million for AFGE bargaining unit members. AFGE's Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) case is now seeking proper payment for thousands of DVA employees.
AFGE is currently processing a FLSA case that could be worth millions of dollars to Immigration and Naturalization Service employees represented by the union. AFGE’s efforts have already resulted in the agency changing the FLSA exempt status of thousands of INS employees, thus entitling them to FLSA overtime for the first time in INS history.
To ensure that the agency’s employment records are accurate, AFGE is searching for current and former INS bargaining unit employees who worked for the agency during part or all of the claims period—June 2, 1991 through May 1, 1998. Possible claimants can check their status online at AFGE’s Web site—www.afge.org.
INS employees (former and current), who do not take the necessary steps to ensure they are recognized as claimants, will not receive payment at the conclusion of this case. All potential claimants in this case must make sure they are recognized as grievants no later than November 21, 2001.
INS employees not eligible to be claimants in this case include: (1) employees who were supervisors during the entire claims period—6/2/91 through 5/1/98; (2) employees working for the Border Patrol or as INS Criminal Investigator, GS-1811, during the entire backpay period; and, (3) employees who were in positions that remain FLSA exempt.
The American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, is the largest union for government employees, representing 600,000 federal workers in the United States and overseas, as well as employees of the District of Columbia. AFGE represents over 24,000 INS employees, nationwide.