The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is an American labor union representing over 820,000 employees of the federal government and the District of Columbia.[2] AFGE is the largest union for civilian, non-postal federal employees and the largest union for District of Columbia employees who report directly to the mayor (i.e., outside D.C. public schools). It is affiliated with the AFL–CIO.[3]
AFGE is a federation of local unions, with each local maintaining autonomy through operating under local constitutions that comply with the AFGE national constitution ratified originally during its founding in 1932. Its headquarters is in Washington, D.C.
Labor relations in the federal sector are governed by the Federal Labor Relations Authority, an independent federal agency, and federal sector unions have recourse to binding arbitration and to the Federal Services Impasses Panel to resolve impasses. Under 5U.S.C.§7311 and 18U.S.C.§1918, federal employees are prohibited from striking against the United States government, and doing so is a criminal offense.
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Original AFGE logo
AFGE was founded in August 1932 by local unions loyal to the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and left the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) when that union became independent of the AFL.[4] AFGE's motto was established as "To Do For All That Which No One Can Do For Oneself". Its original emblem was a shield with the stars and stripes and the words "Justice, Fraternity, Progress".
Federal employees' right to organize and bargain binding labor contracts was established in law by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, which AFGE helped to draft, and which states that collective bargaining in the federal sector is in the public interest while also barring the right to strike.
AFGE's 2009 court suits stopped aspects of the George W. Bush administration's "National Security Personnel System" (for DOD) and MAXHR (for DHS), and AFGE also won changes to law that make the contracting out process more balanced[according to whom?] in regard to federal employees' interests. In 2010, the Obama administration issued an executive order for the federal government to focus on insourcing federal jobs rather than outsourcing them overseas or to contractors.
In June 2011, AFGE also won the historic largest single nationwide consolidated bargaining unit election of over 44,000 employees of the Transportation Security Administration, part of the Department of Homeland Security. AFGE is working for a change in law which will give them the same collective bargaining rights as other federal employees.
In August 2015, AFGE at its national convention decided its official colors are blue and gold.
The current emblem is three workers supporting a globe with a map of the United States and the words "Proud to Make America Work".
Organization
Berniece Heffner was the first national Secretary and Treasurer of AFGE.Henrietta Olding, shown here in 1917, was an early vice president of District 2 and a labor and women’s rights activist.
AFGE is led by a National Executive Council, made up of a National President, National Secretary-Treasurer, National Vice President for Women's and Fair Practices, and 12 National Vice Presidents who oversee geographic districts and are elected at District caucuses.[5]
AFGE members hold a silent protest to demand that Congress avoid another government shutdown, 2019.AFGE rally against Department of Veterans Affair budget cuts, 2012.
For AFGE, collective bargaining responsibilities are delegated to numbered "Councils of Locals" at major agencies, including the following:
All federal sector union membership is voluntary, as the law prohibits closed shops. Federal employees are barred from being candidates for partisan political office, and no dues money may be spent on partisan political campaigns.
Dues-paying membership was reported as 197,096 at the end of fiscal year 2000. This number peaked in fiscal year 2018 with 332,977 members. By 2024, the number was 319,825.[30] Approximately 42% of AFGE membership came from the National VA Council in 2024.[31]
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