From the Desk of the President - 08/03/06

Greetings my fellow members,

I am so excited abut our Local 3599’s entrance into web communications. Our Local is the largest in the Council 216 complement. The Local covers eight (8) states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee). With this size of a territory it is essential that we have strong communication among the executive board, stewards and the membership. We have published newsletters, but often, once the newsletter is published, the news is old. With the web page we will be able to be current with information and it is an excellent opportunity for the offices within the Local to share information. Each office will have a section for office reports.

Our annual meeting will be held in conjunction with the AFGE National Convention. We will be meeting in Atlanta, Georgia August 3^- 5, 2006, at the Hyatt Regency. When the stewards return to their offices they will be charged with discussing the events of the meeting with the membership. Highlights of the meeting as well as the National Convention will be posted on the Local 3599’s web page.

Membership is a concern not just for our Local but for AFGE. We are shrinking because of retirements and sometimes because a member believes they are not getting anything for their membership dues. We can and shall do more do reveal how the "Union" has made your work-life better. For instance, it is only by the efforts of the "Union," that employees have the opportunities to telecommute and work flexible schedules, such as 5/4/9. Also, each year the "Union" is responsible for getting employees a real pay raise, i.e., above the nominal 2% increase put forward by the administration.

The "Union" does not only mean Local 3599. The "Union" is Council 216 and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). The Council provides service on issues that have an impact on EEOC employees as a whole. AFGE provides service on issues affecting "all" federal employees. Most recently, AFGE developed a campaign and commercial regarding the downsizing and budget of the EEOC. To learn more, please visit www.protectyourjob.org. The Council, which includes all Local presidents, has spent time in Washington, D.C. talking to your respective elected officials regarding our budget, national call center, and repositioning. It is an awesome task to try to persuade government officials to change their minds, agree with your position, and/or to offer assistance. This is what the "Union" does routinely for the members.

The "Union" has had some great successes and yes, we have had some losses. The wins far exceed the losses. While we may not get all that we want during negotiations, we manage to get most of what we want. However, for us to continue the fight for fairness and equity in the workplace we need the support of "all" bargaining unit members. The "Union" is not about any one person, one idea, one problem, the "Union" is about YOU, your problems, your ideas, your welfare. Where can you get legal representation, with management, congress, and the Presidential office for such a small price?

Union membership…..Priceless!

Sharon D. Baker, President, Local 3599