(BOSTON)—Some 500 Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) employees working for the Boston Healthcare Systems chose the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) as their exclusive bargaining agent in an election held Jan. 16, 2002.
The new unit includes DVA psychologists, social workers, physical and recreational therapists, pharmacists and other non-nurse professional employees at the Jamica Plains, Brocton and West Roxbury Medical Centers as well as a number of DVA clinics in the greater Boston area.
“AFGE’s battle to halt unwarranted budget cuts that threaten the quality of health care for our nation’s veterans is bolstered every time DVA employees join our union,” said National President Bobby L. Harnage. “A strong, united front is critical in AFGE’s efforts to adequately staff and fund DVA medical facilities. DVA employees recognize AFGE for its strong union representation, both at the federal work site and on Capitol Hill,” he added.
AFGE Local 221, which represents some 100 registered nurses at the Jamica Plains Medical Center, will represent the new employees.
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 some 135,000 DVA employees nationwide. To learn more about AFGE, visit www.afge.org.