Peace Corps Employees Union AFSCME Local 3548
AFSCME Local 3548
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Advocating For a Fair Telework Policy + New Stewards

7/27/2021

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Advocating For a Fair Telework Policy

​We here at the Union hope you are all enjoying your summer! As Peace Corps enters Phase 2 of Peace Corps Everlasting and begins to prepare for a new normal, one of our top priorities as a Union and as an organization must be to ensure a flexible and fair telework policy for all. So many of us have gone above and beyond with our work during the pandemic – and we simply cannot just go back to the way things were before.
 
Our recent telework survey led to a number of recommendations regarding the future of telework, which we have presented to management – you can review them here (also attached).  
 
We look forward to continuing to represent your voices in this important conversation. If you want to share your views with us, please reach out. 

New Union Stewards

​Over the past few weeks, the Union has added a number of new stewards to its ranks. Stewards represent and advocate for you as a member of the bargaining unit, and are your first point of contact for any concerns you have regarding your rights or your treatment on the job. The newest stewards are:
  • Ryan Haefke
  • Ryan Stannard
  • Joshua Castro
  • Sakeena Ali
  • Josephine Pacheco
 
Stay tuned, as in the coming weeks we’ll be assigning stewards to each office to be your personal point of contact. Feel free to reach out to the new stewards or to the rest of the union team with any questions or issues. 

Joint Labor-Management Committee Meetin

The Union Executive Board meets with the organization’s OHR leadership quarterly to discuss issues relevant to Peace Corps employees. We were joined by Chief of Staff Dave Noble at the last meeting. The minutes from the latest JLMC meeting on 6/29 are here.
 
Topics covered include:
  • Telework policy updates & survey results
  • Return to office planning
  • Notification process for department/office restructuring

Visit From Council 20

​Samantha Reisher, organizer for Council 20 (our DC-area parent union) joined us at our union office hours on 7/8 to discuss ways she and Council 20 can support our efforts to advocate for employees here at Peace Corps. You can review the notes from our conversation here. 

Union Weekly Lunch Meetings

​The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend? 
Email Us
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Join Us & Get Involved!

6/29/2021

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Good afternoon, bargaining-unit employees! We’re coming to you after this afternoon’s quarterly meeting with HR leadership – which we spent advocating for safety and transparency as the organization plans our return to the office, as well as for your right to telework flexibility based on the results of the recent survey so many of you completed.
 
All of us who are involved with the union’s work have full-time jobs here at Peace Corps – we are recruiters, placement officers, IT staff, administrative specialists, and so much more – and our strength as a union is directly tied to the participation of our members. Which is why we want to take this opportunity to invite you to join us in our efforts to ensure that all Peace Corps employees receive fair treatment and to make our voices heard!
 
How can you get involved?
  • Volunteer your time and energy by attending our weekly meetings, joining our working groups, and helping plan events
  • Step up and become a dues-paying member, providing support for the advocacy and organization work done by our regional council and AFSCME international (our parent union), as well as funding the activities of our local union here at Peace Corps
  • Become a union steward to represent and advocate for your fellow Peace Corps employees*
  • Serve in a union executive board role after elections this September*
*Dues-paying status is required to serve in union positions per the union constitution
 
Want to learn more, or have questions we can answer?
  • Feel free to drop into our weekly Zoom office hours each Thursday at 12:00pm ET to talk with active union members (calendar invite attached).
  • Or come attend our weekly meetings on Zoom each Tuesday at 12:00pm ET – new agenda items are always welcome (calendar invite attached)!
  • Are you ready to jump in? Or would you prefer to email us your questions? Reach out to our inbox here. 
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Your Right to Representation

4/20/2021

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Hi all! We wanted to build on the message Employee-Labor Relations helpfully emailed to us all on 4/1, and remind everyone that you have a right to have union representation at any interview or meeting that you believe could lead to disciplinary action against you.
 
You can always reach out to the Union and we will have a steward get in touch with you as soon as possible.
 
We’ve included a useful Weingarten reference here – feel free to save or print it out!

Joint Labor-Management Committee Meeting

The Union Executive Board meets with the organization’s OHR leadership quarterly to discuss issues relevant to Peace Corps employees. The minutes from the latest JLMC meeting on 4/12 are here.
 
Topics covered include:
  • Telework policy updates
  • Domestic deployment of PCVs, and the participation of Peace Corps staff
  • Facilitated discussions and letters of counseling for resolving worker-manager issues

May Day Event

​Join the Union for an informal lunch event in honor of May Day and in celebration of the 8 hour workday. We will take a guided tour through the history and current practice of Unions and Labor Laws in the US and some of our Peace Corps Countries.
Save the date: April 30 from 12-1pm Eastern Time. Invitation to follow.

Union Weekly Lunch Meetings

​The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend? 
Email Us
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A Union Win + Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine

3/16/2021

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Union Win for Placement Office

As we pass the one-year mark since the global evacuation of Peace Corps Volunteers, we also keep in mind all of the amazing work Peace Corps employees have been doing from their homes during this time.
 
Recently, we were able to support the placement team in ensuring they had the technology resources they need to do their jobs from home. The Union raised employee concerns with management, and as a result all placement team members will be receiving organization-provided cell phones to facilitate their work.
 
If we might be able to help advocate for you or your colleagues, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at union@peacecorps.gov. 

Administrative Leave for COVID-19 Vaccination​

As noted in HR’s March 2021 email sent out on 3/11, you are eligible to request administrative leave to get vaccinated during working hours:
Peace Corps U.S. Direct Hire employees can use up to four hours of administrative leave per dose – for a total of eight hours of administrative leave for two Covid-19 vaccinations. 
Note that advance approval is required. You should reach out to HR or your supervisor with any specific questions you might have.

Women’s History Month Union Event Serie

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​Every Monday in March, the Union has been hosting a powerful series of webinars focused on women in leadership, particularly in a Union context. The final event will take place next Monday, 3/22 at 12:00pm EST. If you don’t already have the invitation or if you have any questions, reach out to us. Bring a friend to the discussion!

Union Weekly Lunch Meetings

The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend?
Email Us

Contact The Union

Concerned your rights may have been violated or have a question about what your rights are? Reach out to a Union steward at the below link, or join us during our Thursday office hours (12:00-1:00pm EST)!
Contact Us

Dues-Paying Member

​Want to become a dues-paying Union member? Fill out the form linked below!
Join Us
Please ensure your Union activities take place during non-duty hours, such as before or after work or during lunch.
​See Article 6 and 22 in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. 
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Annual Review Feedback + Help Wanted

2/16/2021

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​​End-of-Year Review Feedback

​Hello Peace Corps Union members! As the annual employee appraisal process wraps up, we want to hear your thoughts so we can better advocate for everyone in our conversations with HR. Please take this anonymous 1 question survey to let the Union know if you are satisfied with the current annual review process.
 
Do you have specific questions or concerns regarding your own annual review that you want to discuss with a union representative? Please contact us at union@peacecorps.gov or drop by our Thursday office hours between 12-1pm EST.

Help Wanted

The Union has been working towards improvements and standardization in order to better serve you. We are looking for interested members who can spare 1-2 hours a week (possibly less) to help working groups on: events/training, recruitment, democratization, improving our constitution, and other relevant issues. Most working groups should be complete within 1-3 months, with a possibility for extension based on need.
If you are interested or would like more information, please contact union@peacecorps.gov with subject line “Working Group – Help Wanted”. 

Women’s History Month Union Event Series

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 Every Monday in March join us at 12:00pm EST for our Union Women Webinar series. We will be focused on getting women involved in Unions by viewing a weekly webinar series put on by AFSCME followed by discussions on the various topics:
  • Inclusive Activism as Leadership
  • Political Activism as Leadership
  • The History of AFSCME Women in Action
  • How can PC Union attract more Women

Keep an eye out for invites coming to your inbox shortly. If you are a dues paying member and view the first three webinars (in their entirety) you can gain an AFSCME Women's Leadership Academy certificate. 

​Union Weekly Lunch Meetings

​The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend? 
Email Us

Contact The Union

​Concerned your rights may have been violated or have a question about what your rights are? Reach out to a Union steward at the below link, or join us during our Thursday office hours (12:00-1:00pm EST)!
Contact Us

​Dues-Paying Member

​Want to become a dues-paying Union member? Fill out the form linked below!
Join Us
Please ensure your Union activities take place during non-duty hours, such as before or after work or during lunch. See Article 6 and 22 in the CBA.
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Annual Review Guidance + College Scholarships

1/14/2021

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. marching with AFSCME union sanitation workers in Memphis, April 1968

End-of-Year Reviews

​Hello Peace Corps Union members! As we all go through the annual review process, please keep in mind that you have rights regarding your appraisal, which are listed in Article 15 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
 
In particular, take a look at Section C – per our CBA, appraising performance is an ongoing process, so any performance deficiencies noted in the year-end review should not be a surprise – you should have received feedback in advance.
 
Additionally, you can review the section on performance appraisals in the Peace Corps Manual issued by OHR here.
 
If you have questions about the review process or are concerned your rights may have been violated, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Union for support. 

Union Benefit

AFSCME, the international parent union that our union is part of, offers a number of benefits to dues-paying union members, including:
  • College scholarships (for union members & their families)
  • Free training and professional development
  • And more
 
Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you might have. You can sign up to become a dues-paying member here.

Joint Labor-Management Committee Meeting

The Union Executive Board meets with the organization’s OHR leadership quarterly to discuss issues relevant to Peace Corps employees. The minutes from the latest JLMC meeting on 12/17 are attached below.
 
Topics covered included:
  • COVID-19 return to the office updates
  • Conflict resolution between employees and their supervisors
  • The upcoming administration transition
  • Online resources for employees
See Attachment

Union Weekly Lunch Meetings

​The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend? 
Email Us

Contact The Union

Concerned your rights may have been violated or have a question about what your rights are? Reach out to a Union steward at the below link, or join us during our Thursday office hours (12:00-1:00pm EST)!
Contact Us

Dues-Paying Member

​Want to become a dues-paying Union member? Fill out the form linked below!
Join Us
Please ensure your Union activities take place during non-duty hours, such as before or after work or during lunch. See Articles 6 and 22 in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. 
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Happy Holidays + Updated Website

12/9/2020

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 Updated Website
 
Happy holidays! We wish everyone a relaxing holiday season as this year winds down.
 
The Collective Bargaining Agreement section on the union website has been updated with a collapsible table of contents to enable you to easily look up relevant information. The CBA is your contract with Peace Corps management, and we encourage you to use this easily-searchable resource to learn more about your rights as a unionized Peace Corps employee.
 
Looking for an overview of unions in general, or the history of the union you’re a part of? Check out this new section of the website here.
Union Retreat
 
Union leadership and stewards recently held a workshop to brainstorm ways the Union could better serve you. We invite you to share your ideas on the following by emailing the union:
 
  • What training opportunities can we offer to Bargaining Unit employees? (that means you!)
  • How can we empower everyone to have a voice in our Union?
  • How can we bring in new members to ensure the Union’s crucial support for employees grows and continues despite Peace Corps’ turnover?
  • What improvements could strengthen our Collective Bargaining Agreement and Constitution so the Union is well-positioned to advocate for employee rights in today’s work environment?
Union Weekly Lunch Meetings
The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend? 
Email Us
Contact The Union
Concerned your rights may have been violated or have a question about what your rights are? Reach out to a Union steward at the below link, or join us during our Thursday office hours (12:00-1:00pm EST)!
Contact Us
Dues-Paying Member
​Want to become a dues-paying Union member? Fill out the form linked below!
Join Us
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Your Right to Time Off

11/12/2020

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Use-It-Or-Lose-It Annual Leave

Hello Peace Corps Union members! As we approach the end of the calendar year, we want to take a moment to highlight your rights to leave, which are guaranteed in Article 9 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
 
Make sure to check your annual leave accrual, because any annual leave in excess of 240 hours will be lost at the end of the year.
 
While we encourage all employees to take the time off that they have earned, if you have excess leave that will be lost, you can show solidarity towards your fellow workers by donating a few hours through the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program.

Employee Volunteer Program

​Did you know that the Peace Corps authorizes 52 hours of leave every year for employees to volunteer at activities of your choice?
 
The request form for your supervisor is linked below, and more information about the program is available from OHR here.
See Attachment

Sick Leave to Care for Family

From the CBA: Sick leave will be granted when an employee…is required to give care and attendance to a member of the immediate family who is afflicted with a contagious disease, or would jeopardize the health of others by presence at the duty station because of exposure to a contagious disease

We very much hope you and your family are staying healthy and safe, but you are entitled to take sick leave if you need to care for a family member, whether as a result of COVID or something else. See Article 9, Sections B and C of the CBA for further details.
​
Additionally, the CARES Act entitles all federal employees to 80 hours of additional sick leave before December 31 if you or someone you care for is under a quarantine order – see page 2 of this FAQ from OHR.

Union Weekly Lunch Meetings

​The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend? 
Email Us

Contact The Union

Concerned your rights may have been violated or have a question about what your rights are? Reach out to a Union steward at the below link, or join us during our Thursday office hours (12:00-1:00pm EST)!

Dues-Paying Member

​Want to become a dues-paying Union member? Fill out the form linked below!
Contact Us
Join Us
​Please ensure your Union activities take place during non-duty hours, such as before or after work or during lunch. See Article 6 and 22 in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. 
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Message From Your Union - Your Safety During HQ Reopening

10/13/2020

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Staying Safe During HQ Reopening 
Peace Corps has entered Phase 1 of reopening our HQ, but the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage. OHR has issued guidance that at this point in time, no one should be in the office unless directed by an A-Delegate or Office Director.
 
If you believe you have been asked to return to the office unnecessarily, or if you feel that your work conditions are in any way unsafe, please reach out to the Union so we can contact OHR on your behalf.
Joint Labor-Management Committee Meeting
 
The Union Executive Board meets with the organization’s OHR leadership quarterly to discuss issues relevant to Peace Corps employees. The minutes from the latest JLMC meeting on 9/24 are attached below.
 
Topics covered included:
  • COVID-19 return to the office updates
  • Delayed career ladder promotions
  • Social Security tax withholding issues
  • Diversity and training initiatives
​
See JMLC Minutes Attachment
Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey
The FEVS is an important opportunity to give constructive feedback on job, supervisor, leadership, work space, and more. Please take some time to complete this survey when you have the chance this week.
You should have received a personal link to the survey, but if you cannot find it, you can email George Otis in OHR. 
Union Weekly Lunch Meetings
The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend? 
Email Us!
Contact The Union
Concerned your rights may have been violated or have a question about what your rights are? Reach out to a Union steward at the below link, or join us during our Thursday office hours (12:00-1:00pm EST)!
Contact the Union
Dues-Paying Member
Want to become a dues-paying Union member? Fill out the form linked below!
Join Us
Please ensure your Union activities take place during non-duty hours, such as before or after work or during lunch. See Article 6 and 22 in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. 
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Union Elections + Career Ladder Promotions

9/10/2020

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Hello Peace Corps Union members!
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. Initially created and promoted by American trade unions, it constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
 
We at the Peace Corps Union very much hope you enjoyed your Labor Day weekend!
It's Time To Nominate & Elect Your Union Reps!
​Nominations for the election are still open until Friday, 9/11 COB. Please submit your nominations for the following positions by emailing union@peacecorps.gov: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Board, Trustee, Steward. *Nominees must accept nomination to be elected, and be dues-paying members.
 
Elections will take place September 15-18, and you must be a dues-paying member to vote. If you are not a dues paying member and would like to participate or be nominated, please fill out the form by selecting the Join Us button below. 
Join Us
Time In Grade More Than 52 Weeks And Not At The Next Step? 
For staff who are eligible for career ladder promotions (i.e. you have been in your current grade for 52 weeks or more), you should have already had a conversation with your supervisor to discuss your promotion. Staff should be having continuous conversations with their supervisors to define processes and expectations for ladder promotions. Ordinarily, career ladder promotions should occur after the employee has fulfilled one year in position.
Contact The Union
Concerned your rights may have been violated or have a question about what your rights are? Reach out to a Union steward!
Contact Us
Weekly Lunch Meetings
The Union holds weekly lunch meetings on Tuesdays over Zoom. Want to attend? 
Join Us
​Please ensure your Union activities take place during non-duty hours, such as before or after work or during lunch. See Article 6 and 22 in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. 
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