(WASHINGTON)—Despite its best efforts, the American Federation of Government Employees today lost its bid to be the sole representative of Customs and Border Protection employees. However, AFGE will appeal the results on the basis of objectionable conduct by management during the course of the election.
“From day one, it was clear that CBP management preferred that AFGE would not win this election,” AFGE Membership and Organization Director Sharon Pinnock said. “AFGE has a long history of fighting hard for the rights of federal workers, which may have been somewhat intimidating for CBP management.
“With some 20,000 employees affected by this election, AFGE expected management to have given the employees a fair and honest opportunity to decide which union would best serve their interests. Unfortunately, Agency interference proved to be an insurmountable obstacle to overcome.”
AFGE went into the election as a two-to-one underdog with more than double the employees already belonging to the other union.
“In spite of these issues, we are encouraged by the overwhelming number of votes that were cast for union representation,” Pinnock added. “Federal employees have shown their desire to be part of a union.”
AFGE will file its appeal to the Federal Labor Relations Authority within the required five days.