(HINES, Ill.) – The American Federation of Government Employees is now the exclusive representative for more than 700 professional health care employees at the Edward Hines, Jr. Hospital in Hines, Ill. Physicians, pharmacists, medical technologists and other professionals at the facility will join more than 208,000 VA employees who currently are represented by AFGE and its National Veterans Affairs Council (NVAC).
“We are thrilled to add these dedicated VA health care professionals to our growing federation. The service they provide to our veterans is priceless and we look forward to serving them and providing the workplace protections they deserve,” AFGE 7th District National Vice President Dorothy James said.
The vote for AFGE representation took place during a one-day onsite election Nov.1. With an overwhelming majority casting their vote for AFGE, organizers on the ground now have begun signing up new members eager to become activists within the union.
“We’ve worked for months on organizing these employees and demonstrating the value of union membership. This is one of the last facilities with a large group of professional employees yet to be represented by AFGE. Throughout the past 10 years we’ve methodically organized more than 40,000 employees within the VA and are excited to add these professionals to our growing family,” said Amie Pounds, AFGE national organizer.
AFGE’s 7th District will move to charter the new Local, which then will become a part of the AFGE NVAC that represents veteran health care providers and frontline employees within the Veterans Health, Benefit and National Cemetery administrations.
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