The Solid Seventh District REPRESENTING FEDERAL EMPLOYEES IN ILLINOIS, MICHIGAN, & WISCONSIN. } } | sf American Federation of Government Employees, Affiliated with the Sand American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations Ores | PT LAE Don't Dismantle a ‘AFGE members, veterans, and community members took to the streets in rain, cold, and heat to demand the VA fill vacancies, and end privatization. The rally at Jesse Brown VAMC in Chicago with veterans; the rally at Detroit VAMC was undeterred by rain.Pee National Vice-President This has been a difficult year, full of struggle. We knew it would be hard with an administration and a Congress dead set on undermining federal agencies and worker rights. We've seen enormous attacks on working people. It seems not a day goes by without ‘anew announcement from the administration attempting to undermine federal workers, union rights, or the programs so many ‘Americans depend on. However, | have been extremely proud of how AFGE members are stepping up to the plate and by how much we have been able to achieve despite the hostile political environment. 2017 began with a series of marches such as the March for Science, which advocated for better funding for scientific research. This has been what AFGE Local 3247 USDA in Peoria, ILhas been fighting for - to keep their research facility open AFGE Local 704 EPA has been helping to coordinate environmental marches, to make sure the public knows how important EPA workers are to clean air and water. As a result of their activism, the rumors that the EPA would consolidate offices have not come to fruition. twas TSA members perseverance that guaranteed their new contract, and the protections they won. AFGE National held its first national LEAD training conference, We were disappointed that Congress passed the so- called 'VA Accountability Act’ which restricts VA employees due process, but VA members are organizing and have blocked bills that would further voucher the vA. Likewise the budget Congress is considering has many flaws, but AFGE activists hard work and dedications has prevented the worst of the proposed cuts. The Women's March in January has helped inspire a women's movement, to run for office and to speak out against harassment with the #MeToo movement. AFGE has always fought against harassment, helping file EEO charges. No organization is immune and we IN 2018 WE'LL KEEP UP THE FIGHT! have to recommit ourselves to make all workplaces safe. In 2018 we'll keep up the fight - against privatization and out-sourcing, for better wages and benefits, and we'll campaign and hope for a wave election in November, that will sweep out the anti-union extremists, and elect a congress that will stand as a bulwark against the administrations attempts to undermine union solidarity. Work’ DOROTHY JAMES CRYSTAL STOKES AFGE Distriet Mien First Floor afgedistrict7.org Chicago, I 60507 TIMOTHY H. HATT 1 DON EVANS DYLAN KOSSON Natena epson @ Jafgedistrict7 You 43205, Ashland Ave MATT MUCHOWSKI ALBERT THOMAS American Federation of Government Employees ‘Proud to Make America Phone: 312-421-6245 Fax: 312-421-6283 <> Iphotos/afgedistrict7 ficer Juserlafgedistrict? By 2200007 Poge 2 November 2017 | Solid SeventhIn October, SSA Local 1395 in Chicago held a Lunch & Learn in October to reach out to potential new members. District Organizer, Don Evans, educated Social Security employees about how privatization of social security would hurt all Americans. Sandwiches were provided and several new members joined the union! If your local is interested in hosting a Lunch & Learn, e-mail district? @afge.org! AFGE members at the Jesse Brown VA in Chicago are standing up and speaking out against harassment. After a recent study showed how prevalent harassment was in the VA (often coming from Local 15, which represents employees of the Department of Defense management, at the Rock Island Arsenal in IL held a employees, and health fair in October. District 7 staff patients), members| 1 STAND UP helped educate members and potential Of AFGE local 789 To HARASSMENT members about the benefits of joining the | _ | began working with union management to raise awareness about the issue and to change the environment, Right: AFGE Local 789 President Anne Lindgren stands next to a poster with her photo. The sign she holds says, "Hello, my name is NOT ‘hey Baby'." November 2017 | Solid Seventh 2:0 > EIERIBURBIOR T=deralPrOBERyPEC UIT UR CLC district7 @afge.org ‘AFGE Members in the 7th District (IL, MI, & WI) have led the way in organizing rallies and protests to call attention to the understaffing at the VA. Clockwise from Top: Tomah, WI VA rally; Ann Arbor, MI ‘educate the public; Milwaukee, WI braved the cold to rally; AFGE Local 1629 Local President Ken Cheeks speaks on the megaphone in Battlecreek, MI. Samecrees COE 1 a eee 4 November 2017 | Solid Seventh B FIBURSOAFeUeraIBrOBERY. TaD Tita y AFGE estimates that there are 49,000 vacancies nationwide at the VA. A result of years of underfunding as part of a strategy to lay the groundwork for privatization The VA provides excellent care, but free market fundamentalists hope that by underfunding and understaffing the VA they can reduce the quality of care provided to veterans, and move to privatize the VA. VA employees have been working with veterans and community groups to raise awareness about this important issue by holding rallies across the country,Pe Local leaders and activists learned Local members discuss how to best develop best practices for organizing communication strategies at LEAD 2017. AFGE's first national LEAD training conference took place in July in Chicago. This represents a major step in AFGE's efforts to educate and train local leaders. The LEAD program features standardized tiered classes, online access, and better metrics to track who has Many of the classes presented legal issues in an easy-to- | | completed different trainings. understand manner with examples and role plays. Locals learned | | soon locals will be marking their how to address grievances, EEO cases, and more. calendars for LEAD 2019! November 2017 | Solid Seventh 2:0 © FIBURSOAFeUeraIBrOBERY.US ELE TC ELC The Illinois Women's Institute for Leadership holds an annual Training Academy that helps women learn the skills they need to run for elected office. AFGE national organizer Jackie Traynere has been an active 6 leader in the group for many Senator Debbie Stabenow is facing a tough re-election and years. Local 789 President AFGE members in Ml got a chance to show support for her at a ‘Ann Lindgren recently happy hour event in Detroit. Members bent her ear about urgent attended her first IWIL issues, like fighting the privatization of the VA, fully funding our training, agencies and protecting pay and benefits of federal workers. Congratulations to Events like these are why it is important for AFGE members to join Lindgren and all the women PAC, so we can continue to support those who support us! Learn who graduated from IWIL's more at www.afge.org/mypac. Left to Right: NR TJ Hatt; Ibrahim training, we are certain that Kobaree, L2499; Renee Evans, L0933; Linda Parker-Cooks, LO138; great things lay ahead for Jason Anderson, L2499; Chris Belcher, L0138; Senator Stabenow; these women leaders. Kermit Pitts, 1626; Bettie Belcher, L0138. Senator Dick Durbin met with AFGE Local 704 which represents EPA employees at their October membership meeting. He spoke about the importance of clean air, and water. Durbin described his commitment to making sure the EPA has the resources it needs to keep the environment safe. District 7 Staff met Congressman Keith Ellison who is the Deputy Chair of the Democratic National Committee and a congressperson from Minnesota. They discussed the need to properly staff the VA, and how privatization is not the way to address issues in the VA. Ellison's response was, "I'm with you.” Ellison also spoke about the need for year-round grassroots community activism. eee © November 2017 | Solid Seventh =TiBURSTOR SUeraIROBERY,‘AFGE Local 1658 is heavily involved in Metro Detroit Labor Council representativ eas well as the Tri- Michael Johnson Veterans Chair, Local 1658 County Veterans Council We act as a clearinghouse for veterans’ benefits information as a trained Veterans Service Organization (VSO) service officer, host a table at the union office with veterans’ benefits information for base employees, provide information at the local meetings regarding Michigan/Detroit veterans’ events, and partner with the base outreach office to connect with local veterans’ organizations. We partner with the Blue Star Mothers of ‘America to send packages to deployed service members. And asa service to our veterans we provide a veteran’s scholarship annually and a Veterans Day breakfast, CUD TEATS ORT TE veterans at: disirict?@aige.org Local 15 ras Laulak Siddique President, Local 15 Rock Island Arsenal Rock Island, IL The Local fully supports vets in the workplace by addressing issues related to their needs for time off to seek treatment from the VA. We engage in other representational issues and outreach efforts that give vets a voice on their working conditions. Local 15 has supported community efforts to recognize and support homeless veterans by participating in community wide events. We are committed to furthering the needs of vets, we have a number of vets that are members and who have become involved in the Local as officers and or stewards. |Union Strategy Ur Strategic Planning is an important way for _ strategic plan for 2018, don't hesitate to e-mail union locals to set goals, hold members district7 @afge.org and one of our national accountable for their commitments, and grow the representatives will be glad to help. union. ‘A good strategic plan will lay out goals, deadlines and assign the people responsible for them in areas such as membership / organizing, coalition building, legislative and political Action, communications, education / training and more. The 7th district has a strategic plan that We use to mark our progress throughout the year, and by adopting one at the local level, you can track how much more productive your local is by having a plan and sticking to it. If your local needs help starting up a Like the twin ghosts in the horror movie __ priority - a tax bill that would cut taxes for wealthy The Shining, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and corporations and the top 1%, while raising taxes Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell offer aon the middle class. It's no wonder the bill has devil's bargain. "Come play with us," they offer. been dubbed the #TrumpTaxScam. They offer things that might The tax bill would also sound great - tax cuts! Smaller Icreate an additional 1 trillion government! Less bureaucracy! Jdollar deficit in the federal But in reality they don't y budget. You don't need the want to play nice for anyone lower of ESP to see that Ryan and other than that top 1%. They are McConnell will use this deficit as. only going to give dangerous lan excuse to cut important attacks on working people. programs like social security, Ina plot that seems out of | I |medicare, medicaid, to underfund a Stephen King novel, Ryan and important federal agencies, and as McConnell have been working a pretense for cutting federal overtime to repeal the Affordable lemployees benefits, pay, staffing Care Act (ACA), which would levels, and more. leave millions without access to All of this and the other affordable healthcare. Thus far, Jways they are trying to turn even with a majority in both [America into a version of the houses of Congress they have JOverlook Hotel, are why Paul Ryan been unable to repeal the ACA. ‘and Mitch McConnell are the That hasn't stopped them from their other recipients of the Fickle Finger of Fate Award!PT as In 1986, Bob Nelson was plan for the district determined by elected the National Vice-President district leadership. In a sign of the of the 7th District of AFGE. imes, he also called for a toll-free Nelson was the first African- line for the district office and an American NVP of the 7th District, offset press for the district. and would lead the 7th District Nelson led the District until his untimely passing in 2001. hrough many challenges, and Nelson was the President of AFGE members who knew him Local 375, the Railroad Retirement lemember his soft-spoken nature, Board, for many years before being and his ability to use a wealth of Innovation" with calls to develop Piissue, many AFGE activists would BOB as | ] ind themselves simply askin, |"What would Bob do?" ‘the Reagan administration's plans elected NVP. Nelson ran ona facts to counter any anti-union an aggressive lobbying program, a to contract out federal jobs, an annual strategic campaign of "Leadership and Ar na efforts, When faced with a tough 4-step organizing plan, countering AFGE is making retiree issues a top priority. Just because you retire, doesn't mean you We are continuing to fight for both retired can't be active in the union. Retirees are federal employees, and all retirees in America. organizing, getting active in PAC, mentoring, and Recently, District 7's Retiree coordinator more. Contact the District 7 office to learn more Albert Thomas attended AFGE's first ever retiree about what your local can do to build its retiree coordinator training. He learned a lot of important program. skills and will be helping locals throughout Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin to develop strong retiree programs. If your local needs help developing a retiree plan, e-mail district? @afge.org. We can help your local get trained, designate a retiree coordinator, obtain retiree focused fliers, discuss recruitment strategies, understand the Dies erect benefits available to retirees, and help Pec uae esd make sure that your local is keeping in contact with retirees. November 2017 | Solid Seventh rc 9 Do]GYSIStISURSTOR N=eraIEROBERYUnion Updates It is with the greatest of sadness that | deliver to you today the heartbreaking news of the death of our colleague and friend, Dr. Mark Ellis. After a long courageous battle, he passed away from cancer. He leaves behind three beautiful and amazing daughters, Dory, Julia and Lily. In 2010, Dr. Ellis joined Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital as a dentist. In 2014 he was elected our Executive Vice President of Local 781. He was committed to providing high quality dental services to our veterans. He continued to demonstrate his pledge to honoring our veterans by protecting the interest of the professionals at Hines, as well as, in turn protect the health and welfare of the veterans. Regardless of the challenges he may have had along the way, everyone who'd ever had the privilege of working with him, always found him a special pleasure to work with Dr. Ellis will be deeply missed here, leaving behind those fond memories we have of him. Dr. Mark Fis, AFGE VA Local 781 Ben Balkum has served as the President of Local 2280 at the Iron Mountain VA in MI for over 25) years. He began as an electrician, and union steward. During his time as President he has increased union membership, been instrumental in preventing closure of the Iron Mountain veterans hospial in the 1990s, and has been a powerful force for union rights. He was inducted into the Upper Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame in recognition of his work and dedication to union rights. Welcome new National Representative Dylan Kosson! Dylan holds a law degree from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he specialized in labor and employment law, and isa licensed attorney in Illinois. Before going to law school, Dylan} studied to be ordained as a rabbi PR and earned his undergraduate degree from the Rabbinical College of America in Morristown, Ni. Before joining AFGE, Dylan worked with in-house council at a Teamsters local in Chicago. He has done work at a plaintiffs-side employment discrimination office, and volunteer work as a certified mediator at the civil courthouse in Chicago. Dylan will be working with AFGE locals across District, 7. Dylan said, “the state of AFGE workers has never been so perilous as it is now and they need all the help they can get. I’m humbled and honored to serve with the AFGE in its efforts.” You can e-mail Dylan at dylan.kosson@afge.org. Poge 10 November 2017 | Solid SeventhAs | alluded to during the installation of the and new executive board, | have decided to retire from support. HUD. My retirement date will be effective \ December 31. This has been a wonderful 19-year truly give journey. The past 12 years | have split time thanks between FPM and Local 911. | feel very fortunate. for the Not a day has been the same. FPM has helped good many folks with starting and supporting non- work of profits, advancing key projects, collaborating with this so many wonderful people here in the region, and agency serving thousands who ring the phone or show up that at the door. helps Our Local has grown over these years. millions of There are more resources, over 150 members and people. | have enjoyed meeting and working with more folks active in a variety of roles. | will all of you, and having the opportunity to continue continue my union work as Alternate Regional _to support the agency and you through my efforts vice-president of AFGE Council 222, in retirement! Be assured that you will be in my Parliamentarian of the Executive Board for Local _ prayers as | embark on the next phase of my 911 and as a member of the Legislative Action _journey of life. Committee. There is much work to be done in Ken Brucks passes the torch to new 2018. | look forward to keeping the connection _Local 911 President Patrick Cano. with colleagues here at HUD, union members, and staff of AFGE District 7 who provide key leadership Department of Defense employees at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan. On the base they work on everything from grounds, construction, plumbing, HVAC, and more. The union is fiercely resisting attempts to take away title 5 union rights through a process called conversion, and won't let management re- classify union jobs as non-union jobs without a struggle! AFGE Local 2077 has a newly elected executive board. The local represents civilian The new executive board is sworn in. Secretary Mary Perkins, LVP. kim Bewersdorff, LP Chris Ballor, NVP Dorothy James. November 2017 | Solid Seventh 10 11» LAM A VETERAN 1AM A VETERAN, I'VE DONE MY TIME N'VE RISKED MY LIFE FOR THIS LAND YOU CALL MINE WORLD WAR ONE | CAN VAGUELY SEE SOMETIMES THE THOUGHT JUST STARTLES ME WORLD WAR TWO WAS KINDA HARD TO BEAR, WHEN | SEE THE BOMBS FALLING THROUGH THE AIR IAN SEE THE NIGHTS WHEN THEY LOOKED AS DAY 1 CAN SEE THE SHIPS SINKING IN THE BAY i [AM A VETERAN I’LL STAND AND TELL OF NORTH KOREA MAN IT WAS HELL BUT WE HELD OUR GROUND AND KEPT OUR FLAG| NOT ONE AMERICAN BOWED AND LAGGED. 1AM A VETERAN I DON'T BRAG OR BLUFF BUT | WENT TO THE SANDS OF THE PERSIAN GULF| 1AM A VETERAN SOME DON'T GIVE A DAMN BUT | CROSSED THE WATER, FOUGHT IN VIETNAM! [AM A VETERAN, I’LL STAND TALL AND SAY IM GLAD | WENT AND FOUGHT FOR THE U.S.A. EISUOSCTFeoeTaIBTOPERY, As veterans, VA workers and community members rallied outside the Jesse Brown VA in Chicago, calling for greater staffing, veteran Walter McKinley read a poem he had written, The poem is reprinted here, and a photo of Mckinley reading it is below. AFGE members fight for veterans every day of the year, but Veterans Day - November 11, is always a special day. Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day- to honor the peace treaty that ended World War 1 Itis our obligation to remember the sacrifices veterans have made, and to continue to fight to improve their healthcare, and the services they depend on everyday.