AFGE Local 1534

The Officers

LOCAL 1534 OFFICERS AND STEWARDS

Membership

Click here to access membership form

Photo Gallery

Membership Benefits

Benefits for our Members

Bargaining Unit Agreement

CONTRACTS

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

OPIC

FSI

USAID

How become a Steward

Please review the following information regarding the duties and requirements of a Steward.

Please review the following information regarding the duties and requirements of a Steward.

The job of a steward is a challenging, rewarding and important job in our union. It has been written many times that the Steward is the Heart of the Union. Stewards have an enormous impact on our members’ faith and belief in the union. Stewards are the first person a member will look to for guidance and interpretation of their collective bargaining agreement, and for informed representation when there is a dispute with management. Members often judge the Union by their Steward. If the Steward is fair, and looks out for their interests, they will respect and support the Union. The Steward keeps members informed about the Union, and keeps the Union leadership informed about the workplace. As a representative of the union, the Steward has a legal obligation to represent all of the employees in the bargaining unit fairly, without regard to their union membership status, race, religion, nationality, age, or sex. This legal obligation is known as the duty of fair representation. DUTIES OF A STEWARD: Educate members about their rights and how to exercise them; explain the contract, grievance procedure, health and safety and other workplace regulations and protections, internal union procedures, and relevant laws. 1. Represent all workers in the bargaining unit fairly and without discrimination. 2. Act as the primary contract enforcer and work to make management live up to the contract. 3. Listen to employee complaints; investigate, prepare, present, and write grievances. 4. Resolve problems before a worker is adversely affected or before the situation escalates to a grievance. 5. Develop relationships of respect and trust among the membership. 6. Work to develop open communication with supervisors. 7. Encourage members to take an interest in the Union and take part in it. The Steward’s job requires an assortment of skills and knowledge, but no one expects you to become an expert overnight. You’ll learn from training and experience as issues and questions come up. REQUIREMENTS: 1. You must be a member in good standing. 2. Your appointment by the President of the Local is subject to confirmation by the membership. AFGE Local 1545 is looking for a few more good Stewards, if you are interested and feel that you can fulfill the above requirements and duties, please send us an email with your name, agency, telephone number and email address. You will be contacted by the President of AFGE Local 1534 or the Chief Steward.

AFGE Local 1534

Committees

Would you like to join a committee? Go to the contact page and submit your information

1. Audit Committee Conducts an annual audit of the Local’s fiscal records. Upon conclusion, the Committee shall make a report to the Local and certify to the National Executive Council that such audit has been made. An audit is also required whenever there is a change in Local officers. The audit is a review of all of the Local’s financial transactions. 2. Budget Committee Prepares an annual budget, based on an estimate of identified expenses, that is reviewed and approved by the general membership. Ensures that the Local’s finances are sufficient to support the activities it proposes. 3. Committee on Grievances, Personnel Affairs and Arbitration Advises the Chief Steward and, through him/her, the other Stewards, and shall advise the Officers and Executive Board, on all matters pertaining to grievances and personnel problems of individual employees. 4. Constitution and By-Laws Committee Responsible for ensuring that all amendments to the Constitution are carried out in accordance with the National and Local Constitution. It shall receive, organize and present all proposed amendments to the Constitution. 5. Election Committee An Election Committee is constituted and its members are elected by the Local at the regular meeting prior to an election. The Committee conducts all aspects of the election, including the mailing of notices of election to all members in good standing, printing the ballots, distributing the ballots, counting the ballots, and adjudicating all conflicts which arise out of the election procedure. 6. Education Committee Responsible for developing a regular program of education in trade union history, interests, policy and procedures and other matters of interest to government employees. The program may be in conjunction with regular or special meetings of the Local or in special events. 7. Membership Committee Conducts a continuing campaign to bring into membership in the Local all employees entitled to membership therein as provided in Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution. It shall receive all applications for membership and make recommendations for Local action thereon. 8. Program and Publicity Committee Arranges for a meeting place for regular and special meetings. It shall arrange for speakers for such meetings and such entertainment as may be practicable. It shall arrange for periodic social functions which may serve the purpose of better uniting the membership and furthering the objectives of the Local. It shall endeavor to obtain such publicity as will further the aims of the Local and acquaint the membership and the public with its activities and objectives.

Weingarten Rule

UNION REPRESENTATION DURING AGENCY INTERROGATIONS

Weingarten Document

Our Leader

President Walter Bruce

Biography

Department of State - Room 1247, Washington, D.C. 20520, 202-647-4389, Fax 202-647-0508
USAID - Room 2.12-A - Ronald Reagan Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20523, 202-712-1230, Fax 202-216-3881
Overseas Private Investment Corporation, 1100 New York Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20527, 202-336-8629, Fax 202-218-0152