Recruiting is "internal Union business." You may
recruit & promote recruiting in EPA space but ON YOUR OWN
TIME. You are on your own time for breaks, lunch, etc. Theoretically
you may not use EPA equipment or supplies (voice mail, EPA email,
paper) for recruiting. A practical aspect of this restriction
is that the Union may not recruit at meetings during office hours.
No one can do anything about what they receive in their EPA email
box, but do not send Union recruiting email from your EPA email
box.
$$$
Recruiting rebate lottery, for new members joining before 12:58
p.m. Wednesday, December 14, 2005. We will pick three lucky members
from all new recruits, and each of the three winners will recieve
$100 cash at a drawing at 12:59 p.m. December 14. The Union will
also pay you, the recruiter, $40 each for eah new member you recruit.
How do you convince non-members to join?
Invite them to our holiday celebration, Wednesday December 14,
(11:00 or 1:00, in the EPA Conference Center)
Tell them why you joined the Union.
Explain that the Union makes EPA a better place to work (telecommuting,
flexible work schedules). The stronger the Union is (more members
we have), the more we can do to improve our work place.
Explain that the Union stands up for employees, and (if we have
enough money (from dues!)) can take disputes to 3rd party arbitration.
Explain that usually by vote, Union members make the decisions
on the Unions positions (move issues, performance management system,
etc.) Non-members don't participate in Union decisions.
Explain that if labor unions do as badly in the 2006 general
election as in 2004, expect a permanent federal wage freeze (pay
banding) for most employees, a LOT more contracting out, arbitrary
RIF rules, and greatly diminished
employee voice in the workplace by 2008. The Union represents
employees in the political arena. We need more members to have
the strength to hold our current salaries & benefits through
Congress.
Explain that for some members (dental subscribers), the Union
dental plan saves them more money than they pay in Union dues.
Shame them into it (or put your money where your pocket book
is): Unions have fight for civilian - military pay parity in the
annual cost of living (COLA) increase for GS wages. Every year
the battle gets tougher. For the
last several years the though, the difference between the originally
proposed COLA and what the Unions eventually got enacted has been
less than a year's Union dues. We won't win this battle without
strength in numbers.
Union dues: (progressive for higher salaries)
- <GS-6 $6/pay period
- GS-7 < GS - 11 $10.25/pay period
- > GS-12 $13.25/pay period
Members are obligated to continue their payroll dues deduction
for one year, and may only quit the Union within 30 days of the
anniversary of joining. Union dental coverage is also available,
and premiums are added to the dues deduction for dental plan subscribers.
Dental "Open season" is monthly. Union dental insurance
is a great deal if your dentist is on the
plan provider list (PDF file)
Other details
The Union holds general meetings Monthly (1st Thursday) to do
its work. Members who join before COB December 13 may vote in
the Union election.
Non-members join the Union by completing the top portion of form
1187 (available in the Union office or on
the AFGE national web site: http://www.afge.org/Documents/1187.pdf
AND signing in the middle. Put your name and signature
on the bottom of the form Turn the form in to Dave Christenson
or Brian Friel, and thats it.
Who can join:
EPA employees including interns, temporary employees, attorneys,
scientists, engineers, clerical, project officers, etc.
Who can't join:
SEEs
Contractors
non-federal employees
(EPA Managers, some "team leaders," some other special
employees, PHS, IAG staff can "join" (pay dues &
get purchasing benefits), but the Union cannot represent them
& they can't vote on issues affecting bargaining unit employees.
These employees must pay dues directly to the Union, rather than
by completing an 1187. These employees are not ellegible for the
rebate lottery unless they pay a year's dues by the time of the
drawing.)
