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URGENT- Submit Comments to OPM

March 12th, 2026 | Posted by admin in Did you know? | MAKE THE CALL | TAKE ACTION - (0 Comments)

Dear Members,
We are reaching out to ask for your support in protecting the integrity of the federal civil service and our ability to effectively serve the public.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has recently introduced three proposed rules that could significantly weaken longstanding civil service protections. These changes may undermine the stability and independence that federal employees rely on to perform their duties with professionalism and integrity.

  1. The Suitability Appeals Rule
    This proposal would broaden management's authority to remove or discipline federal employees using loosely defined "suitability" criteria. Because these standards can be interpreted broadly, there is concern that they could be applied inconsistently or without sufficient safeguards.
  2. The RIF Appeal Rule
    The proposed rule would limit employees' ability to challenge layoffs and reductions-in-force. By narrowing the appeal process, the rule could make it easier for agencies to remove experienced public servants without adequate oversight.
  3. The Performance Appraisal Rule for General Schedule, Prevailing Rate, and Certain Other Employees
    While this proposal includes several updates to existing regulations, two of the most concerning changes are the removal of employees' ability to grieve performance ratings and the elimination of mandatory second-level reviews for Level 1 ratings. An overview of these proposed changes was recently covered in a FEDweek article.

See Attached for additional information.

Guidance from AFGE NVP Jason Anderson 03-11-2026-2Download
OPM proposed rule on reduction in force Appeals deadline March 12 2026Download

AFGE Grievance on “Badge In” and “Badge Out”

March 11th, 2026 | Posted by admin in Did you know? | KNOW YOUR CONTRACT | Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

On November 25, 2025, the Agency provided the Union with an “informational notice” stating that the Agency would begin requiring employees to “badge in” and “badge out” (or “BIBO”) of agency space using their HSPD-12 cards (also known as PIV cards), effective December 1, 2025.

On November 25, 2025, the Union submitted a bargaining demand and request for a briefing.

On December 9, 2025, the Agency provided a briefing on BIBO. The Agency clarified that it was implementing BIBO pursuant to Section 2302 (Utilizing Space Efficiently and Improving Technologies Act) of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024, which requires federal agencies to implement technological methods to measure agency space usage.

On January 21, 2026, the Agency denied the Union’s bargaining demand and information request. In denying the bargaining demand, the Agency asserted that BIBO data is not intended to be used for discipline, but that should management decide to discipline an employee due to non-compliance with BIBO, they would follow Article 23 of the National Agreement.

REQUESTED RELIEF
1.
The Agency will engage in consultation and negotiations with the Union on mutually agreed-upon dates, ideally within 30 days. In advance of the consultation/bargaining, the Agency will provide the Union with a comprehensive notice explaining its planned BIBO policy, addressing issues raised by the Union, especially any abatement of known safety hazards.
2.
The Agency will provide the Union with the information requested on December 17, 2025, as amended above.
3.
The Agency will issue an electronic notice to all AFGE bargaining unit employees via email, with wording approved by the Union or ordered by an arbitrator.
4.
The Agency will make the Union and any adversely affected employees whole.
5.
Any other relief as mutually agreed upon, or as ordered by an arbitrator.

Review the full grievance below.

BIBO GC UMG 02-00-2026 badge in badge outDownload

Telework Decision & Award -03/11/2026

March 11th, 2026 | Posted by admin in Did you know? | TeleWork - (0 Comments)

Message from Richard Couture, Chairperson of General Committee:

This morning, the arbitrator issued her decision sustaining the Union's national telework grievance, stating that "temporarily" does not and cannot mean "indefinite", that any temporary suspensions or reductions must be time-limited and specific to conditions, and ordering a return to our past telework levels.

This is a positive step forward for SSA workers, who have had to pay thousands in commuting and child care costs at a time when most AFGE bargaining unit employees aren't making a living wage.

While SSA may appeal this decision to the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), the Union encourages the Agency to implement the award and reinstate our successful telework program.

AFGE bargaining unit employees have proven for three decades, and especially since our March 2022 re-entry after COVID, that telework is to the benefit of the public by boosting productivity, recruitment and retention, and morale.

Telework was, and remains, essential to preventing attrition at a time when SSA needs every employee it can hold onto; a point on which even the Government Accountability Office (GAO) agrees as stated in a recent report. Put another way, telework is in the public interest, the Agency's interest, and the employees' interests. 

MESSAGE from Jessica LaPointe, C-220 President:

We are pleased to inform you that an arbitrator has issued a decision sustaining our telework grievance in full.  The arbitrator has ordered the Agency to:

  • Restore telework to pre-March 16, 2025 levels (status quo ante)
  • Cease and desist from further violations of Article 41 of the National Agreement
  • Post notice of the violation at all workplaces for thirty days and electronically disseminate it by email to all bargaining unit employees

This outcome belongs to every member who endured the past year, every long commute, every rearranged childcare plan, every added expense, while continuing to serve the public with professionalism and dedication.

Beyond the legal obligation, the case for restoring telework has never been stronger, and we are calling on Agency leadership to do the right thing for this workforce, the public we serve, and SSA's own future. The Government Accountability Office confirmed this January that telework did not cause SSA's service challenges and that the loss of telework threatens the Agency's ability to recruit and retain the skilled workers it needs. The data is clear:

  • Telework aligns with how the public wants to be served, approximately 96% of field office work is portable, and teleservice center, workload support unit, and field office support unit work is 100% portable
  • Telework saves workers and the Agency real money, real money that is not discretionary for workers who do not yet earn a living wage 
  • In-person service and field office operations do not suffer under a voluntary hybrid work model, they are strengthened by it. Productivity is enhanced when employees can focus on portable work free from in-office distractions, in-person coverage remains fully intact on rotationally required in-person days, and continuity of service to the public is maintained and protected when an office must temporarily close for inclement weather or other health or safety reasons
  • Telework works, for productivity, for recruitment and retention, for cost savings, for continuity of service, and for meeting the public where they want to be served 

FMCS 25031704421 AFGE SSADownload

AFGE Settlement Agreement (Monetary Awards)

March 9th, 2026 | Posted by admin in AWARDS | Benefits | Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) - (0 Comments)

Message from AFGE General Committee Spokesperson:

Please see attached, which is a settlement agreement between the parties to make changes to the awards system in Article 17 and to engage in settlement discussions over PACS and our GC union-management grievances in the near future. This agreement was made in connection with the latter issue, but no grievances were withdrawn as part of this agreement. The settlement agreement changes the names of the awards from “recognition of contribution” (ROC) to “performance award” and the “exemplary contribution or service award” (ECSA) to “on-the-spot award”.

The agreement expands eligibility for the performance award (formerly ROC) from an element average of 4.0 to 3.5, which will grant thousands more employees an award each year starting this year.

The agreement lifts the $800 cap on non-ratings based awards, meaning potentially higher on-the-spot (formerly) ECSA awards.

The agreement incorporates the Time Off Award MOU as a sidebar to Article 17, putting the MOU into the contract.

The agreement also changes the language in Article 17, Section 3.B, which previously initially allocated 75% of funds to ROCs and 25% to ECSAs, and then unspent ROC money would be transferred over to ECSAs. Each fiscal year, once the ROC awards were paid, millions were transferred to the ECSA pot months later. The intent of the language is to acknowledge the status quo and to speed up the processing of both types of awards by ensuring that the ROCs (now performance awards) get the funds they require and then allocating the awards to the on-the-spot awards.

The Agency has stated its intent to issues awards sooner than in past years, to grant awards to more employees, and to have the awards be meaningful. These are laudable goals and we will work to ensure those goals are realized.

In solidarity,

Rich Couture

Article 17 Settlement Agreement 02.23.26Download

AFGE Grievance filed 12/23/2025

December 24th, 2025 | Posted by admin in Did you know? | KNOW YOUR CONTRACT | Uncategorized | Your Rights - (0 Comments)

Grievance Filed on Agency Failure to Correct EAP Contractor Misinformation and Ensure Contract Compliance with Article 35, Section 5

EAP Grievance 12-23-2025Download

AFGE Survey

December 22nd, 2025 | Posted by admin in Social Security Administration (SSA) | Survey - (0 Comments)

Members,

We have certainly been through it the last couple of months. As we're planning the next chapter for our union, we need to hear from you about your experiences at work.

Please complete this short, confidential survey by Friday January 2nd.

We know we're largely overworked and underpaid. This survey helps us understand what that looks like and the specific impacts for us across our offices and roles.

Your responses will support our collective fight for improved working conditions for all SSA workers. All responses are strictly confidential. 

Here's that link again, and please forward this along to your colleagues.

In solidarity,

Rich Couture and Jessica LaPointe on behalf of the AFGE SSA General Committee Spokesperson

AFGE TOWN HALL MEETING ON SHUTDOWN

October 30th, 2025 | Posted by admin in Shutdown - (0 Comments)

Dear Members,

Join us for an AFGE Shutdown Town Hall where we will discuss important information and answer your questions about the government shutdown.

During this call we will outline the union's shutdown response, our path forward, and our continued commitment to defending the rights of federal workers.

🗓️ Thursday, October 30, 2025
⏰ 8 PM ET- OR -7pm CST
🔗 Click here to register for the AFGE Shutdown Town Hall

You Tube LINK

https://www.youtube.com/live/BD_xWxaCJ6o

ENJOY THE SHUTDOWN FUNK!

October 30th, 2025 | Posted by admin in Shutdown | Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZTI295ZrNvbt1yVVE8cHhtKRqbypHwVKDeV

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

October 30th, 2025 | Posted by admin in Did you know? | FEEA | Shutdown | Solidarity - (0 Comments)

Bank of America: announced assistance available to furloughed Federal employees. Call the priority assistance line 844.219.0690.

Chase Bank: Chase today announced efforts to help its customers who are U.S. government employees affected by the U.S. government shutdown. Here's the special line they set up 1-888-356-0023.

Congressional Federal Credit Union: For more information on our Relief Line of Credit or any of our assistance programs, contact our Member Service Representatives at 800-491-2328 or stop by one of our branch locations.

Fed Choice: They're offering quite a few different options to assist – for existing and new members.

Interior Federal Credit Union: They're offering a special loan for both member and non-member furloughed Federal workers. Net paycheck up to $15,000, interest free up to 30 days. Members may apply for a limit up to the equivalent of 2 net paychecks. More offers are available on the site or call 800-914-8619

Navy Federal Credit Union: These guys are offering a special loan program. Read the FAQs PDF from this link to see if you qualify or call 1-888-842-6328

PayPal: PayPal has made a very generous offer. They've allocated $25 million to fund interest-free cash advances to our furloughed Federal workers that need assistance right now. This is for both new and existing PayPal Credit customers. Minimum loan is $250 with a maximum cash advance of $500. Your account does need to be in good standing if you're an existing PayPal Credit customer. Existing customers call 1-877-689-1975. For new accounts, apply here first, then after approval call 1-877-689-1975.

U.S. Bank: Will waive all late fees if you miss a mortgage payment due to the shutdown. Also mentioned they will defer first payment dates for new mortgages.

U.S. Employees Credit Union: USECU is also offering shutdown loans, but only until Tuesday, January 15th. Call (312) 922.5310 to get help.

SunTrust: SunTrust didn't make a specific offer, but they did make a public announcement that they have programs in place to help clients affected by the shutdown.

Synchrony Bank: These guys handle store cards for Amazon, Lowes, Walmart, JCPenney, Chevron/Texaco, and many other large nationwide companies that you might do business with on a day-to-day basis. They are allowing affected customers to defer payments until after the shutdown. Contact them for more information.

Union Plus: For union members, there are a great number of options available if you're with Union Plus. Call them at 800-472-2005 to ask about these offers: $300 Furlough Grant for eligible Union Plus credit card holders, Mortgage Assistance Loan & $300 Grant: payment grace period for your Union Plus Life and Accident Insurance, payment grace period for Union Plus Auto Insurance, and payment grace period for Union Plus Life and Accident Insurance.

Wells Fargo: There's a full list of shutdown assistance lines at Wells Fargo. They've got a few different options to help depending on the services you have with their bank.

Furlough Grants

FEEA-NARFE: This is an awesome offer that every furloughed Federal worker needs to take advantage of. FEEA-NARFE fund is offering $100 grants to active federal employee members who are not receiving a paycheck during the current shutdown due to being furloughed or working in excepted status. To apply, visit the FEEA website.

Thrift Savings Plan

TSP Plan News and Announcements: TSP allows for the suspension of loan payments when you go into non-pay status. They do not require documentation about your furlough currently. Missing one or two payments will not cause your loan to go into default. Log in to your account to check your status or simply call the Thrift Line at 1-877-968-3778.

Toyota Financial Services & Lexus Financial Services: Affected lease and finance customers in good standing with their accounts may be eligible to take advantage of up to two months of finance contract payment extensions or lease deferred payments. Toyota Financial Services call 800-874-8822 and Lexus Financial Services call 800-874-7050.

Hyundai Capital: Hyundai will extend all Hyundai Capital auto loans and lease payments for 30 days for current Hyundai owners who are federal government employees furloughed during the shutdown. Impacted consumers should contact Hyundai Motor Finance at 1-800-523-4030 to take advantage of this offer.

Kia Motors Finance: Kia has announced they're offering deferred payments of 30 days. If you've been affected by the current Government Shutdown and need assistance from Kia Finance, please contact us at 1-866-331-5632.

Ford Credit, GM Financial, & Mercedes-Benz Financial Services: It has been reported that these companies are among those providing qualified customers options such as payment deferrals, late fee waivers and special care lines to address their individual problems, though official announcements from these companies have not been released online.

Mobile Telephone Service Providers

AT&T: Will assist with adjusting late fees, providing extensions, and revising payment schedules.

Sprint: Will provide short-term payment solutions. Call 1-888-211-4747

T-Mobile: Offering short-term assistance and can spread out service payments over time. Call 1-877-746-0909 or 611 from a T-Mobile device.

Verizon: Offering flexible payment options and has a Promise to Pay program to set payments for a future date. Call 1-866-266-1445.

Rental Home Assistance

National Rental Home Council: Represents many of the nation's largest operators of single-family rental homes. They're offering deferred rent payment options with no late fees to any renter who has been furloughed.

OPM Sample Letters for Creditors and Mortgage Companies: OPM created sample letters for Federal workers to contact their landlords, mortgage lenders, and utilities, to request help during the shutdown.

National Food Resources & Advice

Feeding America: These guys have a nationwide network of 200 food banks. From those food banks, they have 60,000 partner pantries from which they can serve every community across the United States. This is an awesome resource, and they have already begun serving Federal employees affected by the government shutdown.

Your School District: To save on food and ensure your kid eats breakfast and/or lunch free (less stress and worry for you), notify the district of your furlough. No income is an emergency and normally qualifies you for the free meal program.

Home, Auto & Life Insurance Relief

MetLife: For those not receiving a paycheck from the federal government because of the current shutdown, MetLife Auto & Home may grant a one-time, 30-day grace period on your payment of premium on a MetLife Auto & Home policy. Members must request this one-time allowance by calling 1-800-GET-MET8. Certain restrictions apply, and premium remains due after delay expires.

Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company: To help the nearly 27,000 AFGE members who currently have a policy with the company during this government shutdown, the company "will keep the policy-in-force by waving the cost of insurance charges for the next 30 days.". Policies beginning with the letter "Y" call: 844-800-9146, all other policies call: 888-513-8797

Other Notable Mentions for Relief & Assistance.

Rent-A-Center (Benefits Plus Membership): If your account was up to date at the time of furlough and you are a part of benefits plus you may be eligible for a payment waiver based on your state: "Involuntary Unemployment Payment Waiver: Losing a job is hard and making payments while unemployed is even harder. Fortunately, your Membership waives your payments when you are involuntarily unemployed. Whether you were fired, laid off, suspended, or are out of work due to a labor dispute or strike, your payments are covered for up to four (4) months, up to $1,000, or when you're able to return to work."

National Freebie Offers

U.S. Office of Personnel Management: Their fact sheet states that federal employees may be eligible for unemployment compensation administered by state unemployment insurance agencies. So, eligibility is determined by state law, not on the Federal level, which may work in your favor.

USAA 

Are offering deferments for all loans and credit card payments

CHALLENGER – OCT 2025

October 15th, 2025 | Posted by admin in CHALLENGER | Did you know? | ELECTIONS | Shutdown - (0 Comments)

The October 2025 edition of The Challenger is out — and it's packed with the kind of stories and updates every AFGE Local 1395 member should know.

This month, we dig into the issues that hit home:

  • What your rights look like during a government shutdown
  • The truth about PACS performance ratings and how Article 21 affects you
  • Understanding the difference between WAHBE and Reasonable Accommodation
  • How Article 31 protects you when life happens and leave gets complicated
  • And yes — the certified 2025 election results are in!

The Challenger is more than a newsletter — it's our story, our wins, our voice. Every article comes from the same place: a shared commitment to making sure every member of Local 1395 knows their rights, their power, and their worth.

So take a few minutes, grab a coffee, and give it a read. Let's stay informed, connected, and ready for whatever comes next.

Challenger October 2025Download