government workers nationwide and overseas. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest government employee union representing 600,000 workers in 76 federal and 16 D.C. Workers in virtually all functions of government depend upon AFGE for legal representation, legislative advocacy, technical expertise and informational services.
- AFGE takes seriously its responsibility t
o provide good government services, while ensuring that government workers are treated fairly and with dignity. By supporting full funding and staffing for all agencies, the union is improving the way services and benefits are delivered to the American public.
-AFGE is in a unique position because it is not currently afforded the same full scope collective bargaining rights as workers in the private sector. For this reason in addition to negotiating working conditions at the bargaining table, AFGE coordinates a full-scale legislative and political action program to monitor issues hat impact the government work force. When Congress debates funding of vital government programs administered to the public by government workers or tackles employee health care issues, AFGE is on the scene representing its members.
-AFGE members are the vital threads of the fabric of American life. Government employees inspect the food we eat and the places we work, they protect citizens from the illicit flow of drugs, maintain the safety of our nation's borders, care for our nation's veterans, serve as a vital link to Social Security recipients, keep the national defense systems prepared for any danger and much, much more. AFGE is proud to make America work.
-AFGE believes that all unions should belong to the house of labor and has been nationally affiliated with the AFL-CIO since AFGE was founded in 1932. National President John Gage, National Secretary-Treasurer J. David Cox and National Vice President, Women's & Fair Practices Augusta Thomas are active participants in the AFL-CIO, working to enhance and energize the labor movement.
-The union is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and divided into 12 geographical districts consisting of more than 1,100 locals. Over one-half of AFGE's members are consolidated into agency-wide bargaining units. Agencies with the highest concentration of union membership include the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration and the Department of Justice.
-The range of jobs performed by both D.C. and federal government employees is impressive-and so is their work. AFGE's greatest strength has always been is members-activists dedicated to serving the public and fighting for their sisters and brothers.
