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Local 476 Speaks Out
See what members of Local 476 have to say about the proposed cuts in the federal workforce and the federal workers' pay freeze.
Why America Needs HUD
Local 476 President Eddie Eitches Responds to Mitt Romney
April 16, 2012. Mitt Romney spoke on Sunday at a $17 million dollar, 21,000 square foot private estate in one of the richest communities in the country: Palm Beach, Florida. Governor Romney's choice of venue presents a sharp contrast to disturbing spike in middle-class and working homelessness throughout Florida. His supporters could afford to pay $50,000 a plate; that's the same amount that the average American household earns in one year.
In this luxurious setting, Governor Romney suggested that, if he is elected, "Things like Housing and Urban Development, which my dad was head of, that might not be around later." I am shocked and appalled by his callous and a tragic disregard for Americans who depend on us to provide safe and affordable housing. I represent HUD employees who provide real and immediate services to millions of people who depend on us. Eight out of every ten dollars in HUD's current budget are used to fund HUD's public housing and to help residents of HUD-assisted housing.
Without HUD, where would these people live? In addition to supporting public housing, HUD provides our veterans with vouchers so that the men and women who serve our country can have a roof over their heads–and their children's, too. The housing choice voucher program helps very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. HUD's employees actively fight discrimination against homebuyers and renters. Thanks to HUD, almost 1 million Americans were able to modify their mortgages last year, reducing their payments and letting they stay in their homes. HUD has reached agreements with cities across the country to help to create job opportunities for low-income residents, improving self-sufficiency. HUD's employees provide the expertise as well as the financing needed to help local economies.
HUD is the major source of financing for first-time homebuyers in the country, thanks to its FHA and Ginnie Mae programs. FHA programs provide mortgages for the middle class, providing favorable financing, lower down payments, and lower closing costs. HUD also provides the primary means of financing rental housing such as apartments.
Governor Romney added in his Sunday evening speech, "I will send a lot of what happens in Washington back to the states." I want to tell you that we're there already. Most HUD employees are not in Washington. They're in the cities and towns where their dedication and experience can do the most good.
Maybe saving $530 on monthly mortgage payments–the amount that HUD helped homeowners save through mortgage modifications–doesn't matter to Governor Romney or his supporters, but for most American families, it's the difference between staying in your home and being homeless. America needs HUD, and we need HUD's employees to continue their focus on the people that Governor Romney has forgotten.
It's Time to Spring into Action: Join Local 476 Today!
Fill out Form 1187 to join now! Get the benefits you want and need as a federal employee:
A voice on the job
A voice in workplace changes
Representation with workplace issues
And look at the members-only benefits you'll enjoy once you're an active part of your Union.
Just stop by Room 3143 with your form today!
Performance Improvement Plans
Have you received a poor performance evaluation? Has your supervisor mentioned that a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) is being considered as part of an evaluation of your individual work performance? Beware! In the Union's experience, the use of a PIP is often the beginning of the removal or demotion process. If you have been placed on a PIP, or have just received a poor performance evaluation, contact the Union immediately! Read more.
Need help? Got a question?
Contact the Chief Steward.
Blame Management for Clearinghouse Failure
We had great hopes when we signed the Personnel Clearinghouse contract supplement with management on September 1, 2011. Created as a pilot program, the Clearinghouse was intended to improve workforce flexibility, benefitting workers and management alike.
Sadly, the Clearinghouse has been a complete failure--and the blame rests entirely with management. Read the rest of Local 476 President Eddie Eitches' January 24, 2012, message to the Bargaining Unit.
Local 476 Celebrates Our Members
Check out our photo gallery to see pictures of our
Local 476 Fights Management's Attempts to Limit Representation and Intimidate Your Representatives
HUD management has been trying to reduce your rights to Union representation. When you have less representation, it's easier for management to ignore your rights. Management is trying to intimidate your representatives and reduce the amount of official time available. Both of these actions are an effort to prevent you from having the representation you deserve and need. Local 476 is fighting to make sure you continue to be represented by your Union.
Management is trying to intimidate your Union representatives by issuing performance ratings to Union representatives who spend a significant amount of time on representational duties. Those representatives are considered "unratable" according to federal rules and guidelines. After Local 476 filed an Unfair Labor Practice complaint with the Federal Labor Relations Authority, Management agreed to withdraw the improper ratings and abide by OPM requirements. Read the settlement agreement.
Management also is attempting to reduce the amount of official time that your Union representatives can use. Official time is the time your Union representatives can spend representing you during their regular duty hours. Local 476 has filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge against HUD in order to make sure that you have Union representation when you need it.
The Role of Unions in the Federal Government
AFGE Local 476 President Eddie Eitches Responds to Washington Examiner Editorial
In its editorial "Labor law needs an overhaul to protect workers," published on January 29, 2012, the Washington Examiner argued against unions in the Federal workplace. In response to errors and misstatements made by the Examiner, President Eitches wrote the following letter to the Examiner's editor, which was published on February 1.
To the Examiner:
In your editorial on Monday, you described my union, AFGE, basically a Federal sector union, as a "powerhouse." You asserted that "23 states have right-to-work laws that protect workers who choose not to join unions, and federal employees are not even covered by these laws. The result is effectively a union shop."
In fact, the federal government is an open shop. No one is required to join a union. What this means in practice is that everyone in the bargaining unit votes for union representation and benefits from the union. Nevertheless, since Federal employees do not have to pay dues, most of those in the bargaining unit do not join. We are required to represent them anyway. If we discriminate in favor of union members, we face an unfair labor practice action before the Federal Labor Relations Authority.
No union is a "powerhouse" in such an environment. Unions dislike "right to work" laws because there is no incentive for those in the bargaining unit to pay dues. Thus, in "right to work" states, unions are much weaker because they cannot afford to exist in an environment where only 10% of those covered choose to pay dues. "Right to work" means no real unionization.
Contrary to your editorial, we are not covered by the Wagner Act. Federal employees cannot bargain over wages, medical benefits, and pensions. No dues money can go to political campaigns, and we as union leaders are limited in the roles we play per Hatch Act restrictions. But, among other things, we press management to be better organized (less layers of supervision). In other words, we often save taxpayers money by promoting efficiency. We are the real ombudsmen in the Federal government.