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Nurses put D.C. hospitals on Red Alert
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Oct. 8 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United posted the following news release:
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Nurses put D.C. hospitals on RED ALERT
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RNs demand MedStar Washington Hospital Center reopen postpartum unit amid maternal health crisis in D.C.
Registered nurses will hold a rally and community event on Saturday, Oct. 10 in Washington, D.C. to demand that MedStar Washington Hospital Center reopen its shuttered postpartum unit in the midst of a Black maternal health crisis in the District. Following the rally, the nurses and allies in the community will make their way to the
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SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Oct. 8 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United posted the following news release:
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Nurses put D.C. hospitals on RED ALERT
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RNs demand MedStar Washington Hospital Center reopen postpartum unit amid maternal health crisis in D.C.
Registered nurses will hold a rally and community event on Saturday, Oct. 10 in Washington, D.C. to demand that MedStar Washington Hospital Center reopen its shuttered postpartum unit in the midst of a Black maternal health crisis in the District. Following the rally, the nurses and allies in the community will make their way to thehospital where they will deliver a letter to management calling for the immediate reopening of the unit.
MedStar Washington Hospital Center registered nurses are represented by the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU).
"As nurses who have seen the devastating effects of a racist health care system that has left too many Black families suffering, we can not stand by silently as MedStar shutters this critical unit for families in D.C.," said Ingrid Guardado-Cruz, RN. "We are demanding that MedStar reopen this postpartum unit immediately."
The rally will also highlight the patient care impacts of the federal health care cuts from H.R. 1 on D.C.-area hospitals while demanding hospital management immediately restore vital services. Analysis by NNU finds that all five of D.C.'s hospitals are vulnerable to cuts and closure due to their high dependence on Medicaid and Medicare funding. These hospitals are George Washington University Hospital, Howard University Hospital, Georgetown University Hospital, Sibley Memorial Hospital and MedStar Washington Hospital Center.
Who: MedStar Washington Hospital Center nurses, community allies, and National Nurses United
What: 'RED ALERT' rally and community event
When: Oct. 10, 2026 | Free wellness checks beginning 11 a.m.; free food and DJ beginning at 11a.m..; program/rally at 12 p.m.
Where: Wangari Gardens, D.C. at the corner of Kenyon St. NW & Park Place NW
Speakers and guests include: Renelsa Caudill, RN, MedStar Washington Hospital Center; Cathy Kennedy, RN, President of National Nurses United; Sam Epps, President, Maryland State & D.C. AFL-CIO; and Sequnely Gray, D.C. Jobs With Justice
In total, these hospitals provide some 80,000 inpatient visits yearly and stand to lose between $140.5 million and $223.8 million annually when H.R. 1 is fully implemented. More information on the impact of H.R. 1 on D.C. hospitals and patient care is available here.
Despite this, nurses are demanding MedStar management prioritize safe patient care, especially in communities most vulnerable to H.R. 1 funding cuts. According to ProPublica, MedStar Health had more than $1 billion in net assets as of fiscal year ending June 2025. Its CEO, Kenneth A. Samet, received compensation of more than $7 million.
Furthermore, MedStar Health is spending large amounts of money in an aggressive union busting campaign at MedStar Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore, Md., where nurses are unionizing to protect patients and their community. MedStar management is interrogating nurses about union support, surveilling nurses, and using security to interfere with nurses speaking with coworkers. Based on previous contracts reported to the U.S. Department of Labor, NNU estimates MedStar Health is spending an estimated $28,000 to $40,000 a week on these union busting efforts. Nurses say it is disgraceful that money that should be spent on patient care is going to pay for private consultants to attempt to silence nurses as they advocate for safe patient care.
Nurses say it is unconscionable that MedStar Washington Hospital Center would shutter a postpartum unit limiting access to birthing options at a time when more resources are needed for families. Nurses note that Black women account for 84 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in the District, although they account for only 31 percent of births, according to city data. MedStar Washington Hospital Center plays a vital role in providing care in D.C., delivering a third of the babies born in the District.
"As we see the health care landscape under attack in D.C., we must fight for the most vulnerable in our community, the newborn babies and their families," said Averie Foster, RN "Since we have had the postpartum unit closed in July, we have had to put our hospital on labor and delivery diversion 22 times. This means laboring patients are traveling further for care which puts them and their babies at risk for poorer outcomes."
On top of potential service cuts and closures at area hospitals, D.C. patients are expected to face increasing challenges to accessing care with the expiration of ACA subsidies on top of the Medicaid and Medicare cuts. More than 285,000 D.C. residents rely on Medicaid. Some 95,000 of these individuals are at risk of losing their Medicaid when H.R.1 is fully implemented.
Furthermore, many D.C. residents will be hit with a double punch as H.R. 1 is slated to cut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by $187 billion over the next ten years. Families are already feeling the effects: since H.R. 1's implementation, nearly 10,000 individuals in the D.C. have lost access to SNAP. Once fully implemented, estimates show up to 230,000 families will lose some SNAP benefits, with 26,000 families with children and 33,000 working families losing $25 or more monthly.
More than one in three Black residents of D.C. belong to a household participating in SNAP, compared to 1 in 65 white residents. Nearly half of Black D.C. residents are enrolled in Medicaid, compared to 1 in 37 white residents. Residents in Ward 7 and 8, two historically marginalized wards, will face the greatest harm from H.R. 1.
More information on the impact of H.R. 1 on D.C. hospitals and patient care is available here.
'RED ALERT' tour offers the union nurses' vision for how to make America healthy:
The Oct. 10 rally and event in D.C. is part of National Nurses United's RED ALERT bus tour, which is travelling across the country to highlight the drastic reduction in the quantity and quality of health care services as a result of H.R. 1 - and to demand hospital executives and management join nurses in putting patient care over profits.
H.R. 1 is the 2025 budget bill, pushed through by Republicans and President Trump, that cut more than $1 trillion in Medicaid and Medicare funding to give billionaires tax breaks, militarize immigration enforcement, and fund endless wars abroad. Nurses have condemned these cuts to health care funding and denounced its funnelling into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), which have unleashed a deadly, illegal, and cruel terror campaign across the country. NNU is calling for ICE to be abolished.
Union nurses are taking their alternative Vision for a Healthy Society directly to the patients and working-class communities they serve, calling on community members to help them organize and advocate to protect patients, not profits. To date, RED ALERT has visited communities in Glendale, Oceanside, Alameda, and Oroville in Calif.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Kalamazoo and Ironwood in Michigan; Chicago, Ill.; and Bangor, Maine.
"The billionaire class and their Republican puppets are gutting public health protections to make themselves richer and militarize our neighborhoods, with zero regard for working people and families struggling to survive," said NNU President Jamie Brown, RN. "Nurses refuse their deadly agenda. We're taking the wheel and bringing our vision for a healthy society directly to patients and communities who will bear the brunt of Republican policies. We invite everyone who has felt abandoned by the political system to join us and build real working-class solidarity."
National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with nearly 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.
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Original text here: https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/nurses-put-dc-hospitals-on-red-alert (TNSmlt)
New Kennedy Center Layoffs Permanently Eliminate Box Office Jobs, IATSE Files New Charges
NEW YORK, Oct. 8 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees posted the following news release:
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New Kennedy Center Layoffs Permanently Eliminate Box Office Jobs, IATSE Files New Charges
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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- IATSE believes that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts continues to use the temporary closure to permanently eliminate jobs, reduce services, and weaken its Box Office, whose employees have been represented by Local 868 for decades. In its latest round of layoff notices, which was issued last week, the Kennedy Center stated:
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NEW YORK, Oct. 8 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees posted the following news release:
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New Kennedy Center Layoffs Permanently Eliminate Box Office Jobs, IATSE Files New Charges
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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- IATSE believes that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts continues to use the temporary closure to permanently eliminate jobs, reduce services, and weaken its Box Office, whose employees have been represented by Local 868 for decades. In its latest round of layoff notices, which was issued last week, the Kennedy Center stated:"The Kennedy Center has determined that the existing and projected programming schedule provides insufficient Box Office work for the current staff. This rationale flies in the face of reality.
Also last week, the Center announced that the Kennedy Center Honors will take place at the Capital One Arena. In addition, the National Symphony Orchestra and the Fortas Chamber Music Concerts have announced off-site, multi-performance seasons. In the past, the Kennedy Center's Box Office would have sold tickets alongside the ticket offices of other venues for such events and performances. Since the temporary closure, the Kennedy Center's management engaged in reckless decision-making when they secured the off-site venues for the NSO and Fortas. Those bad decisions not only deprived its own Box Office employees of work, but now have cost employees their jobs. The newly laid-off employees join colleagues who used to work in the Instant Charge and Groups and Subscriptions Departments and whose employment was terminated by the Kennedy Center back in April 2026.
To make matters worse, the Kennedy Center is seeking to negotiate provisions in the collective bargaining agreement that governs the Box Office that would reduce its accountability for the consequences of their bad decisions. Such proposals, along with management's delays and conduct at the table, demonstrate that the Center is not bargaining in good faith with the union. The Kennedy Center has prolonged the negotiations with the union for a successor agreement while the Center acts unilaterally in ways that have negatively impacted employees' working conditions.
The collective impact of the Kennedy Center's conduct and decisions not only affects its employees, but also the general public. The termination and layoff of Box Office employees further degrades the Center's ability to sell tickets, assist patrons, and support access to Kennedy Center programming. IATSE and Local 868 are preparing new unfair labor practice charges alleging violations of federal labor law. The unions are also preparing grievances concerning alleged violations of existing collective bargaining agreements.
The Kennedy Center's closure and renovation plans also remain the subject of active federal court proceedings. In May, a federal court blocked the earlier shutdown plan and found that the decision-making process had not met the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees' obligations. In September, after the Board again voted to close the building, the court required the Kennedy Center to provide thirty days' notice before making significant physical changes to the property. Litigation concerning the closure and the attempted renaming of the Kennedy Center remains ongoing.
Regardless, these court cases do not relieve the Kennedy Center of its responsibilities to workers. Temporary closure, renovation, programming changes, and litigation cannot become excuses to disregard union contracts or remove bargaining-unit work. The Kennedy Center should rescind these layoffs, return affected employees to work, preserve Local 868's jurisdiction over Kennedy Center ticketing, and bargain in good faith toward a fair successor agreement.
We stand with these Local 868 members and every worker affected by the Kennedy Center's actions. The union will use every available legal, contractual, and collective avenue to protect these jobs, preserve vital services, and prevent further permanent damage to a beloved cultural institution by mismanagement.
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Original text here: https://iatse.net/new-kennedy-center-layoffs-permanently-eliminate-box-office-jobs-iatse-files-new-charges/
Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 4 Candidates for Election to Congress Representing Colorado
WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 4 Candidates for Election to Congress Representing Colorado
AURORA, Colo. -- The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of four candidates running to represent Colorado in the U.S. House in the 2026 election. The general election is Nov. 3.
The newly endorsed candidates are Melat Kiros (CD-1), Dwayne Romeros (CD-3), Eileen Laubacher (CD-4), and Manny Rutinel (CD-8).
Melat Kiros immigrated
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 4 Candidates for Election to Congress Representing Colorado
AURORA, Colo. -- The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of four candidates running to represent Colorado in the U.S. House in the 2026 election. The general election is Nov. 3.
The newly endorsed candidates are Melat Kiros (CD-1), Dwayne Romeros (CD-3), Eileen Laubacher (CD-4), and Manny Rutinel (CD-8).
Melat Kiros immigratedwith her family from Ethiopia as an infant and grew up in Aurora, Colorado. She graduated from Washington College with a bachelor's degree in political science and economics in 2018 and from Notre Dame Law School in 2022.
Dwayne Romeros graduated from the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), served seven years in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and graduated from the Army Ranger School. As combat engineer executive officer during the Persian Gulf War, Romeros earned a Bronze Star for exceptionally meritorious achievement. During his time in the Army, Romeros was stationed at Fort Carson, Colo. He joined then-Governor John Hickenlooper's administration as Director of Economic Development and served on city council and school board. Today, Romeros employs 120 Coloradans as the owner and operator of a property management company on the Western Slope.
Eileen Laubaucher, a retired Rear Admiral, served our country for 34 years in the U.S. Navy - leading people, solving difficult problems, and putting service over self. Laubacher retired from the Navy in 2024 and returned home to Colorado to continue her public service.
Manny Rutinel is the son of a Latina immigrant single mother who grew up working at McDonalds and selling his blood to make ends meet. He earned degrees in microbiology and economics and became an economist in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he was a member of AFGE Local 2930 before earning a law degree. As a Colorado state representative, Rutinel passed bipartisan laws that lowered the cost of healthcare and housing and cosponsored and passed legislation to crack down on wage theft and protect workers from being misclassified as independent contractors.
"These four candidates - three of them veterans - have solid credentials and will represent AFGE members in Colorado well," AFGE District 11 National Vice President Tim Snyder said. "Their impressive backgrounds will help us win a pro-labor Congress."
AFGE previously endorsed Jessica Killin for election to the U.S. House representing Colorado's 5th Congressional District and five members of Congress for reelection to their seats representing the state.
More than 60,500 federal employees live in Colorado - safeguarding the food we eat and the air we breathe, caring for veterans, supporting the military, and ensuring Social Security recipients receive their benefits accurately and on time.
AFGE is the largest federal employee union in the country, representing more than 820,000 federal and D.C. government workers in all functions of government. AFGE-represented employees care for veterans, support the military, and ensure Social Security recipients receive their benefits accurately and on time.
Written by OPEIU 2 AFL-CIO
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Original text here: https://www.afge.org/link/4c9b1f3728004f1a9b9da6d289f4711d.aspx
Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 2 Additional California Candidates for Election to Congress
WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 2 Additional California Candidates for Election to Congress
LAKEWOOD, Calif. -- The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of two additional candidates for election to the U.S. House representing California in the 2026 elections. The general election is Nov. 3.
The newly endorsed candidates are Randy Villegas for election to the U.S. House representing California's 22nd Congressional
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 2 Additional California Candidates for Election to Congress
LAKEWOOD, Calif. -- The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of two additional candidates for election to the U.S. House representing California in the 2026 elections. The general election is Nov. 3.
The newly endorsed candidates are Randy Villegas for election to the U.S. House representing California's 22nd CongressionalDistrict and Connie Chan for election to the U.S. House representing California's 11th Congressional District.
"AFGE has done our research, and we are happy to join with the other unions in California to support Randy and Connie in their campaigns for Congress. They have demonstrated that they understand and support the amazing work of federal employees and will provide AFGE members with the tools they need to do their jobs," AFGE District 12 National Vice President Mario Campos said.
Randy Villegas is running to fight for working families, protect our democracy, and bring accountable, people-first leadership to Washington. He's challenging Republican David Valadao, who has consistently sided with corporate interests over the needs of our communities.
Villegas' campaign is rooted in the belief that everyone - no matter their ZIP code, Social Security number, or background - deserves a fair shot.
Connie Chan currently represents District 1 on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, which includes the Inner Richmond, Central Richmond, Outer Richmond, Lone Mountain, Golden Gate Park, Lincoln Park, University of San Francisco, Sea Cliff, and Presidio Terrace neighborhoods. First elected in 2020, Connie has served as chair of the board's budget committee since February 2023 and also serves as a member of the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, the San Francisco Local Agency Formation Commission, and the Free City College Oversight Committee.
As supervisor, recognizing the looming threat of federal cuts, Chan proactively created a $400 million revenue risk reserve fund in the 2025-2026 budget to ensure funding would be available for healthcare, food security, housing, and other services at risk of being cut. She understands the valuable role that smart public policy and good public servants can play in the lives of everyday Americans.
AFGE previously endorsed 39 current members of Congress for reelection to their seats representing California ahead of the statewide primary and recently endorsed five additional candidates for election to the U.S. House representing California in the 2026 elections.
More than 255,000 federal employees live in California - caring for veterans, supporting the military, ensuring the safety of our food and air, and getting Social Security recipients their benefits accurately and on time.
AFGE is the largest federal employee union in the country, representing more than 820,000 federal and D.C. government workers in all functions of government. AFGE represents nearly 82,000 federal employees in District 12, which includes Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada.
Written by OPEIU 2 AFL-CIO
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Original text here: https://www.afge.org/link/b4f9a56aa1814108a5f4bf94e327a130.aspx
IATSE Secures Agreements for Crews of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and "Heathers" at New World Stages
NEW YORK, Oct. 8 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees posted the following news release:
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IATSE Secures Agreements for Crews of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and "Heathers" at New World Stages
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NEW YORK, NY - The IATSE International reached separate agreements with the off-Broadway productions of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and "Heathers" during the week of September 21, 2026, securing union representation and supplemental payments for the crews of both shows. Both productions are playing at New World Stages,
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NEW YORK, Oct. 8 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees posted the following news release:
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IATSE Secures Agreements for Crews of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and "Heathers" at New World Stages
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NEW YORK, NY - The IATSE International reached separate agreements with the off-Broadway productions of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and "Heathers" during the week of September 21, 2026, securing union representation and supplemental payments for the crews of both shows. Both productions are playing at New World Stages,a multi-venue off-Broadway theater complex in the Times Square and Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan.
The agreements cover approximately 15 workers per production across Stagehands, including Carpenters, Props, Electricians, and Sound technicians, as well as Wardrobe, Makeup Artists, and Hairstylists.
Organizing for both productions began earlier in 2026. The producers of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" voluntarily recognized the union. "Heathers" took a longer path to recognition, with the union prevailing after two NLRB elections following administrative complications that prompted challenges from both the employer and the union.
With both productions scheduled to close in the coming weeks, the agreements are short-term in duration but significant in principle. Workers secured union representation for the remainder of each run, along with supplemental payments that vary by production.
"The IATSE continues our drive to represent off-Broadway workers, right up until productions close," said IATSE International Representative Brian Munroe. "Off-Broadway workers deserve fair wages, benefits, and working conditions, and we will continue to fight for that."
Theatre workers looking to join together to win better workplaces can head to iatse.net/join to contact an IATSE organizer.
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Original text here: https://iatse.net/iatse-secures-agreements-for-crews-of-the-25th-annual-putnam-county-spelling-bee-and-heathers-at-new-world-stages/
Arbitration Award Requires Long Beach Memorial to Pay Affected Workers Back Wages with Interest
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, Oct. 8 [Category: Union] -- The United Steelworkers issued the following news release:
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Arbitration Award Requires Long Beach Memorial to Pay Affected Workers Back Wages with Interest
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LONG BEACH, Calif. -- The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that the union has won a major arbitration victory on behalf of members of Local 2801 at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, securing an award requiring the medical center to make affected workers whole after violating its collective bargaining agreement.
Arbitrator Jonathan S. Monat ruled on Oct. 5, 2026, that Long
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PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, Oct. 8 [Category: Union] -- The United Steelworkers issued the following news release:
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Arbitration Award Requires Long Beach Memorial to Pay Affected Workers Back Wages with Interest
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LONG BEACH, Calif. -- The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that the union has won a major arbitration victory on behalf of members of Local 2801 at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, securing an award requiring the medical center to make affected workers whole after violating its collective bargaining agreement.
Arbitrator Jonathan S. Monat ruled on Oct. 5, 2026, that LongBeach Memorial violated the contract by failing to pay bargaining unit members at least 30 percent more than the applicable California state minimum wage.
The arbitrator called the contract language "clear and unambiguous" and rejected the Medical Center's argument that the provision was tied to the minimum wage in effect when the contract language was negotiated.
The medical center has been ordered to make all affected employees whole with back pay, relevant benefit contributions and interest, which could result in millions of dollars in lost wages and related compensation being returned to workers.
"This is a major victory for our members and a clear demonstration of the power of a union contract," said USW District 12 Director Gaylan Prescott. "Our members fought to make sure Long Beach Memorial honored the agreement it made with them. The arbitrator agreed, and now affected workers will be made whole."
Prescott said that the decision underscores the importance of workers having a strong union and a collective bargaining agreement that protects their wages.
"USW members stood together and held their employer accountable," Prescott said. "This award shows what workers can accomplish when they have a union contract and are willing to fight to enforce it."
The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of members in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.
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Original text here: https://usw.org/press-release/arbitration-award-requires-long-beach-memorial-to-pay-affected-workers-back-wages-with-interest/
AFGE SSA General Committee Files National Grievance Following Agency Repudiation of Contract
WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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AFGE SSA General Committee Files National Grievance Following Agency Repudiation of Contract
WASHINGTON - Today, American Federation of Government Employees SSA General Committee which represents more than 35,000 Social Security Administration (SSA) employees filed a national grievance after the agency announced that it would again illegally repudiate its contract with AFGE by unilaterally ending flexible work arrangements, also known as alternative work schedules,
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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AFGE SSA General Committee Files National Grievance Following Agency Repudiation of Contract
WASHINGTON - Today, American Federation of Government Employees SSA General Committee which represents more than 35,000 Social Security Administration (SSA) employees filed a national grievance after the agency announced that it would again illegally repudiate its contract with AFGE by unilaterally ending flexible work arrangements, also known as alternative work schedules,for all SSA employees.
SSA's email to employees made clear this is not a temporary suspension, but a wholesale elimination of a balanced decades-long program designed to give employees greater flexibility in working their full 40-hour workweek in service to the American people while ensuring sufficient office coverage needs.
AFGE SSA General Committee issued the following statement:
"Only a small portion of SSA's total workforce utilized an alternative work schedule, with the overwhelming majority of employees already working a regular five-day workweek. Smaller offices were not eligible. However, SSA's email paints a false picture of an agency overwhelmed by employees with alternative schedules that it harmed public service, even in those components that do not interact with the public directly. None of it is true, and managers already had tools available in our contract to deal with temporary needs. Instead, SSA decided it would no longer honor an agreement it made in 2019 during the first Trump Administration.
"This decision will harm public service by further depressing morale in an already overwhelmed workforce who have seen their rights and benefits disrespected by agency leadership again. Many employees will leave, exacerbating attrition and further depleting service capacity. We demand that SSA reverse this decision.
"This illegal action to eliminate alternative work schedules comes mere months after SSA inhumanely eliminated our advanced leave programs. Like with advanced leave, many SSA employees utilized alternative work schedules to make time to seek medical treatment and take care of loved ones without loss of pay. SSA's action will fall harshest on those workers who will have to choose between getting paid or getting care. The cruelty of this move cannot be overstated.
"Like with the illegal repudiation of our telework program, the illegal repudiation of official time for union leadership, the illegal repudiation of advanced leave, and more, the union has filed a national grievance to restore and enforce our alternative work schedules. While we will process this grievance as expeditiously as possible, we believe that legislative changes are necessary to more effectively protect and enforce workers' rights under the law and in legally binding contracts."
"In light of this reality, we are calling on Congress to do the following:
"The above legislation would update the law to better fulfill its purpose, and to protect and restore collective bargaining rights for federal workers currently with and without contracts.
"Additionally, we call on Congress to fully fund SSA by setting its administrative budget to 1.2 percent of annual benefit outlays, earmarked for human staffing, and to hire 20,000 new workers to replace the employees SSA paid to leave last year and to bring our staffing levels to meet current service needs. Doing so will improve service to the American people who paid to be served by human employees when they choose to be served by human employees and eliminate SSA's pretext for its cruel and inhumane actions."
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Original text here: https://www.afge.org/link/304992dcf84942e49dddd5141f3213d7.aspx
