Posted on 10/05/2013 3:10:28 AM PDT by Fzob
Not only are some federal employees working without knowing whether we’ll be paid, we’re also doing it without union representation on the job. -.....(The horror)
So we find that Congress, besides possibly creating a new class of involuntary servitude for federal employees, has also acted to attempt to bust our union. (Seriously?)
Not only are some federal employees working without knowing whether we’ll be paid, we’re also doing it without union representation on the job.
As a result of the October 1 partial government shutdown, federal workers fall into two categories—those who are furloughed and those who are excepted. As excepted employees, Social Security workers are to report to work every day. If we don’t show up we are placed in furlough or AWOL status (depending on who we talk to; we are getting conflicting information).
If we are furloughed, chances are likely that we won’t be paid. If we report to work, we may or may not be paid. Unless Congress passes a continuing resolution, we will not receive any compensation for our activity.
As federal employees, we cannot strike legally. At the time we are hired we must agree not to strike.
Do Part of Your Job
When we work during the shutdown we can only do certain tasks, items our agency head has determined to be in line with what Congress calls the Anti-Deficiency Act. We have a sheet telling us what we can and cannot do and we give the paper to the public. Social Security employees like me can:
Help people file for retirement, survivors, disability, Medicare and SSI benefits Assist people in requesting appeals Change addresses or direct deposit information Take a death report Replace a lost or missing benefit payment Issue special payments Process SSI changes. However, because of the Anti-Deficiency Act, we cannot:
Issue new or replacement Social Security cards Authorize replacement Medicare cards Provide proof of income. Those “cannot do’s” affect people who need cards for their jobs, who need Medicare cards for their care, or who need income statements for public housing applications or scholarship applications, among other reasons.
Union Shutdown, Too
While we may be working for pay or not for pay, depending on Congressional whim, we Social Security workers find ourselves literally defenseless. We have been given all kinds of conflicting advice about our status, but we cannot have our union, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), represent us—nor can union reps and officials get released time to represent people.
If we do try to represent employees, we will be put on AWOL and put in furlough status, which means we may not be able to return to work until there is a budget.
Why? Simple. The agency’s lawyers, and apparently lawyers at the Office of Personnel Management, have ruled that—while federal unions, according to the Civil Service Reform Act of 1980, are in the public interest—union officials cannot be released to do representational duties during a government shutdown.
So we find that Congress, besides possibly creating a new class of involuntary servitude for federal employees, has also acted to attempt to bust our union.
Some people are coming to work sick because they are afraid to take off, and still others are foregoing scheduled vacations because they are afraid they may not be able to get back to work. Different managers throughout my Local 3172, which represents Social Security field office employees in Northern and Central California and Northern Nevada, have given employees different advice and orders. In some cases people on leave have been ordered back to work. In other cases people have been told that if they are sick and take leave, they will be put in furlough status.
All we can do is to keep on working. At lunch time—which is our own time, and for which we are not paid, even when we are paid—my sister and brother employees at the East Oakland Social Security office had an informational picket and urged the public to call Congress.
Howard Egerman is vice president of AFGE Local 3172.
- See more at: http://www.labornotes.org/blogs/2013/10/shutdown-puts-federal-worker-union-rights-jeopardy#sthash.ZMIUNGoR.dpuf
ping
Nothing is implicit in federal employment even remotely related to ‘involuntary servitude’. If a federal employee doesn’t like what the employer does or wants, he/she is free to quit.
The worst part about the Newt/Dole shutdown fiasco was their final surrender CR 1996 paid all the GSs for their time off who were furloughed by the shutdowns.
They got all that time off paid costing $$$ for the shutdown.
Paying those who worked is another thing.
Rush doesnt talk about that?
I can just imagine all the horrible and dangerous work conditions in a Social Security Office that need immediate Union Steward attention. Perhaps the copier is out of paper and a disagreement has erupted as to who will get a new box from the storeroom and thus be eligible to claim a back injury.
Great. That just makes the GOP look stupid again.
Maybe we will get a repeal of that device tax out of it when the GOP gives in like Newt and Dole did.
Dont worry, no matter how it turns out Rush and AM hosts will in time spin it as a big victory.
RE I think both sides have already indicated that furloughed federal workers will be paid for the time off.
Not true, Congress has made no decission for furloughed workers and federal workers still on the job won’t be paid until money is appropriated.
Someone please post the manatee ! This is hugh and series....
Howard Egerman is a nut.
Oh Well...SH!T HAPPENS!!!
Working with out pay is in violation of the minimum wage law.
The precedent is set for not paying workers everywhere
Wonder if this dude from AFAG or whatever realizes the Dem controlled Senate is killing the funding bills....
You stated: “...When we work during the shutdown...”
WORK? What do you mean “WORK?”
Work has several meanings:
To a non-government employee work actually accomplishes something needed by society.
To a government employee work simply means that a rule, law or some other bloated regulation has simply created a “work” position that produces nothing for the non-government employee’s lifestyle or benefit.
To a government employee who is a staunch government union radical, there is no such thing as actual productive work.
Unions = Socialists = Marxism = eventually COMMUNISM.
I have experience in this matter since many years ago I worked for the government for over 10 years and was a government union steward. I found that the most important thing for our AFGE union was where the next convention would be held and who would be selected to attend.
dims a republicans have stated that they will be paid so this is a lie. THEY ALWAYS GET PAID!
reid, mcconnell and boehner have said that they would be paid after this is over. Hannity had mcconnell on and he confirmed it.
So true. I subscribe to the newsletter for laughs
How about that — Obama, Reid, and Pelosi are in favor of busting unions!
Thanks Fzob.
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