John,
The Chair
of the EEOC has put out a proposed regulation designed to simultaneously
undermine the union and take away the best possible representation federal
employees have in pursuing an EEO claim.
The
proposed regulation would prohibit the use of official time/paid duty time by a
union representative in the context of an EEO claim.
Federal
employees with an EEO claim can still pick a representative and pursue the case
on duty time, that is, during business hours while being paid. But, if
this rule goes into effect, they can pick anybody as their representative
EXCEPT an elected union representative like a shop steward or local officer.
Time is running out! Click here to take action NOW and submit a comment opposing this anti-union EEOC rule!
In the #
MeToo era, to place this new obstacle in front of federal employees who want
their union representative to represent them in an EEO matter deters federal
employees from pursuing EEO cases.
Federal
employees can’t afford EEO lawyers – they have always understood that their
union representatives are the most experienced, best trained, most trusted
representatives in EEO matters. And under this new rule, union
representatives will be excluded from official time – every other federal
employee can have it – but union officials are excluded from official time if
they’re handling an EEO matter.
This is
union-busting – a blatant attempt to delegitimize our union and take away our
ability to represent our members.
Act now before time runs out! Comments from the public are due no later than February 10. Click here to submit your comment and help us flood the Chairwoman’s Federal Register inbox with opposition!
In
Solidarity,
Everett
Kelley
AFGE
National Secretary-Treasurer
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