| Welcome to the Official Website of AFGE Local 918-FPS |
| AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES LOCAL 918-FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE Representing Federal Protective Service Employees Nationwide |
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| LATEST NEWS & UPDATES |
| Copyright 2010. American Federation of Government Employees Local 918. All rights reserved. |
AFGE Local 918 welcomes inquires from
television and print news media
organizations and reporters.
Please direct all press inquiries to:
David Wright, President, AFGE Local 918-FPS
Tel: (816) 291-0984, Fax: (816) 629-4462
e-mail: david.wright@afgelocal918.org
television and print news media
organizations and reporters.
Please direct all press inquiries to:
David Wright, President, AFGE Local 918-FPS
Tel: (816) 291-0984, Fax: (816) 629-4462
e-mail: david.wright@afgelocal918.org
General Inquiries:
General inquiries, questions, comments or other
requests for AFGE Local 918-FPS should be directed
to information@afgelocal918.org.
Representation Inquiries:
FPS bargaining unit employees may contact AFGE
ocal 918-FPS for representational issues. Visit our
Contacts page to locate the Regional or Area Specific
Vice-President in your Region.
Membership
If you are an FPS employee and would like to join
AFGE Local 918:
Complete a Request for Payroll Deductions for Labor
Organization Dues form.
Click here for the form: SF form 1187
Fax the completed form to (816) 629-4462.
Membership is open to all eligible (non-management)
employees of the Federal Protective Service to include:
General inquiries, questions, comments or other
requests for AFGE Local 918-FPS should be directed
to information@afgelocal918.org.
Representation Inquiries:
FPS bargaining unit employees may contact AFGE
ocal 918-FPS for representational issues. Visit our
Contacts page to locate the Regional or Area Specific
Vice-President in your Region.
Membership
If you are an FPS employee and would like to join
AFGE Local 918:
Complete a Request for Payroll Deductions for Labor
Organization Dues form.
Click here for the form: SF form 1187
Fax the completed form to (816) 629-4462.
Membership is open to all eligible (non-management)
employees of the Federal Protective Service to include:
- Police Officers
- Inspectors
- Special Agents (GS-12 and below)
- Physical Security Specialists
- Support and Administrative Staff
| GENERAL INFORMATION |
Executive Board meetings are held on the 2nd
Tuesday of each month. Executive Board meetings
are open to Executive Board members only.
General Membership meetings are held on the
2nd Wednesday of each month. General Membership
meetings are open to all dues-paying members.
Meetings are held at 6PM Eastern Time via
teleconference.
Information on Regional union meetings may be
obtained from Regional Vice-Presidents. Visit our
Contacts page for RVP contact info.
Due to a holiday the monthly meetings have been
postponed. The next meeting dates are:
Executive Board: March 23, 2010
General Membership: April 13, 2010
Tuesday of each month. Executive Board meetings
are open to Executive Board members only.
General Membership meetings are held on the
2nd Wednesday of each month. General Membership
meetings are open to all dues-paying members.
Meetings are held at 6PM Eastern Time via
teleconference.
Information on Regional union meetings may be
obtained from Regional Vice-Presidents. Visit our
Contacts page for RVP contact info.
Due to a holiday the monthly meetings have been
postponed. The next meeting dates are:
Executive Board: March 23, 2010
General Membership: April 13, 2010
| MEETINGS |
February 1, 2010
| Statement by AFGE Local 918-FPS President David Wright regarding President Obama's 2011 Budget Proposal |
On behalf of the men and women who protect federal buildings across this country, I am shocked that the Obama
Administration's budget includes no additional funding for the Federal Protective Service - one of the nation's
most important homeland security agencies. In past three years, the GAO has come out with no less than four
reports detailing the impact of insufficient funding and manpower and the vulnerability it has created in our
national homeland security safety net.
Congress has held hearing after hearing on the situation and the issue has been widely reported in the press.
Yet the agency remains underfunded, understaffed and unimproved in any real way. Even worse, the
Administration is proposing to eliminate the minimum staffing standards established by Congress. This could
signal an effort to reduce the size of this agency.
We view this as an irresponsible decision. Federal buildings are, and always will be first line targets for
international and homegrown terrorists such as Timothy McVeigh. If the terror trials are held in NY, the FPS will
have a major responsibililty for overall security. If something were to happen there, it might well be traceable to
this decision.
We are certain that Congress will not support this decision and provide the resources necessary to secure the
nation's federal buildings. We urge President Obama to reconsider and support sufficient funds for the FPS to
perform its mission.
Administration's budget includes no additional funding for the Federal Protective Service - one of the nation's
most important homeland security agencies. In past three years, the GAO has come out with no less than four
reports detailing the impact of insufficient funding and manpower and the vulnerability it has created in our
national homeland security safety net.
Congress has held hearing after hearing on the situation and the issue has been widely reported in the press.
Yet the agency remains underfunded, understaffed and unimproved in any real way. Even worse, the
Administration is proposing to eliminate the minimum staffing standards established by Congress. This could
signal an effort to reduce the size of this agency.
We view this as an irresponsible decision. Federal buildings are, and always will be first line targets for
international and homegrown terrorists such as Timothy McVeigh. If the terror trials are held in NY, the FPS will
have a major responsibililty for overall security. If something were to happen there, it might well be traceable to
this decision.
We are certain that Congress will not support this decision and provide the resources necessary to secure the
nation's federal buildings. We urge President Obama to reconsider and support sufficient funds for the FPS to
perform its mission.
February 1, 2010
| FEDERAL EMPLOYEE UNION RESPONDS TO OBAMA BUDGET AFGE Disappointed with Smallest Pay Raise since 1973, Applauds Pay Parity |
(WASHINGTON) – The American Federation of Government Employees today responded to President Obama’s
2011 budget proposal, including a 1.4% pay raise for civilian and military employees. “We are going to work very
hard with Congress to adjust the 1.4% pay raise upward,” said AFGE National President John Gage. “While we
are pleased that the administration recognizes the importance of pay parity between civilian employees and the
military, a 1.4% pay raise will do nothing to close the remaining pay gap between federal and non-federal
salaries. We’re talking about a pay raise that will take effect an entire year from now. Although the economy is
still weak today, all signs point to a recovery by 2011, and by that time prices will be higher, health insurance
premiums will be much, much higher, and labor markets will have tightened.”
The 2011 budget goes a long way to take care of our nation’s veterans and our retirees. “We are relieved that
President Obama recognizes how understaffed the Social Security Administration is. This increase will go a long
way in reducing the unacceptable backlog in handling and processing disability claims, appeals and hearings
that has been created by years of understaffing, the aging baby boomers and the economic recession,”
continued Gage.
AFGE lauded the decision to increase Veterans Administration funding. “For too long, the unpredictability and
inadequacy of the VA’s discretionary funding process has had an adverse impact on the care of our nation’s
veterans. With an increase in funding of 20% since 2009, and with advanced appropriations, the 2011 budget
honors veterans by fortifying the world-class medical care they deserve,” said J. David Cox, AFGE national
secretary-treasurer and former VA nurse.
“We are also pleased that President Obama recognizes the need to strengthen the federal prison system,
including a significant increase in full-time employee positions. The imminent threat that understaffing has posed
to federal correctional officers, prisoners and the communities that surround the prisons have become a
dangerous matter of life or death. Proper staffing will help alleviate the dire situation in our federal prisons,” said
Gage.
The 2011 budget touches on the need to control contractor costs. “We are as committed to eliminating waste,
fraud and abuse with the federal government as anyone. However, many federal agencies have not yet
recovered from the onslaught they experienced during the past administration. We are eager for more defined
guidance on the insourcing of government jobs. Over the past decade far too many American tax dollars were
wasted away through sole-source contracts and misguided personnel systems. The boost in the acquisition
workforce in the 2011 budget points to a desire for more government efficiency which would allow agencies to
rein in their budgets while still hiring more federal employees,” said Gage.
The president’s budget also proposes increases for the EPA, the FDA and for OSHA. “We commend the
essential and necessary strengthening of our nation’s regulatory agencies. With additional staff, the right people
at the head of these agencies and sufficient resources, these agencies will be better able to fulfill their missions
of protecting the American public from bacteria outbreaks in our food chain; on the job injuries and deaths; and
environmental danger. Regulation in these vital areas can only preserve the health and well being of our
country.”
However, the proposed budget includes no additional funding for the Federal Protective Service - one of the
nation's most important homeland security agencies. “In past three years, the GAO has come out with no less
than four reports detailing the impact of insufficient funding and manpower and the vulnerability it has created in
our national homeland security safety net. The agency remains underfunded, understaffed and unimproved in
any real way. We hope that Congress will provide the necessary funding to secure the nation's federal buildings,”
concluded Gage.
2011 budget proposal, including a 1.4% pay raise for civilian and military employees. “We are going to work very
hard with Congress to adjust the 1.4% pay raise upward,” said AFGE National President John Gage. “While we
are pleased that the administration recognizes the importance of pay parity between civilian employees and the
military, a 1.4% pay raise will do nothing to close the remaining pay gap between federal and non-federal
salaries. We’re talking about a pay raise that will take effect an entire year from now. Although the economy is
still weak today, all signs point to a recovery by 2011, and by that time prices will be higher, health insurance
premiums will be much, much higher, and labor markets will have tightened.”
The 2011 budget goes a long way to take care of our nation’s veterans and our retirees. “We are relieved that
President Obama recognizes how understaffed the Social Security Administration is. This increase will go a long
way in reducing the unacceptable backlog in handling and processing disability claims, appeals and hearings
that has been created by years of understaffing, the aging baby boomers and the economic recession,”
continued Gage.
AFGE lauded the decision to increase Veterans Administration funding. “For too long, the unpredictability and
inadequacy of the VA’s discretionary funding process has had an adverse impact on the care of our nation’s
veterans. With an increase in funding of 20% since 2009, and with advanced appropriations, the 2011 budget
honors veterans by fortifying the world-class medical care they deserve,” said J. David Cox, AFGE national
secretary-treasurer and former VA nurse.
“We are also pleased that President Obama recognizes the need to strengthen the federal prison system,
including a significant increase in full-time employee positions. The imminent threat that understaffing has posed
to federal correctional officers, prisoners and the communities that surround the prisons have become a
dangerous matter of life or death. Proper staffing will help alleviate the dire situation in our federal prisons,” said
Gage.
The 2011 budget touches on the need to control contractor costs. “We are as committed to eliminating waste,
fraud and abuse with the federal government as anyone. However, many federal agencies have not yet
recovered from the onslaught they experienced during the past administration. We are eager for more defined
guidance on the insourcing of government jobs. Over the past decade far too many American tax dollars were
wasted away through sole-source contracts and misguided personnel systems. The boost in the acquisition
workforce in the 2011 budget points to a desire for more government efficiency which would allow agencies to
rein in their budgets while still hiring more federal employees,” said Gage.
The president’s budget also proposes increases for the EPA, the FDA and for OSHA. “We commend the
essential and necessary strengthening of our nation’s regulatory agencies. With additional staff, the right people
at the head of these agencies and sufficient resources, these agencies will be better able to fulfill their missions
of protecting the American public from bacteria outbreaks in our food chain; on the job injuries and deaths; and
environmental danger. Regulation in these vital areas can only preserve the health and well being of our
country.”
However, the proposed budget includes no additional funding for the Federal Protective Service - one of the
nation's most important homeland security agencies. “In past three years, the GAO has come out with no less
than four reports detailing the impact of insufficient funding and manpower and the vulnerability it has created in
our national homeland security safety net. The agency remains underfunded, understaffed and unimproved in
any real way. We hope that Congress will provide the necessary funding to secure the nation's federal buildings,”
concluded Gage.
February 1, 2010
| SAMBA Employee Benevolent Fund Special Open Enrollment Period NPPD: Feb 1 to April 1, 2010 |
The SAMBA Employee Benevolent Fund pays an immediate death benefit of $17,500. There is a special open
enrollment period for NPPD employees from February 1 to April 1, 2010. Visit sambaplans.com for more
information.
enrollment period for NPPD employees from February 1 to April 1, 2010. Visit sambaplans.com for more
information.
March 12, 2010
| Oversight Hearing to Examine Federal Employee Workplace Safety and Security Local 918 President David Wright to testify |
On Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building the Subcommittee
on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia will hold a hearing to examine federal
employee workplace safety and security.
In the wake of recent attacks on the Internal Revenue Service building in Austin, Texas and the January shooting
in the lobby of the Las Vegas federal courthouse a pressing need exists to evaluate federal and postal office
security standards and protocols.
The upcoming hearing will evaluate the status of and responsibility for agency and postal building security
assessments, as well as the level of physical and perimeter security. Further, the hearing will focus on how threat
communication is disseminated across offices and will assess the level of coordination between federal and local
law enforcement.
For further information regarding the hearing, please contact the Subcommittee Professional Staff, Jill Crissman,
at ext - 55147
Connect to the Live Webcast This link will be available on the day of the hearing.
on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia will hold a hearing to examine federal
employee workplace safety and security.
In the wake of recent attacks on the Internal Revenue Service building in Austin, Texas and the January shooting
in the lobby of the Las Vegas federal courthouse a pressing need exists to evaluate federal and postal office
security standards and protocols.
The upcoming hearing will evaluate the status of and responsibility for agency and postal building security
assessments, as well as the level of physical and perimeter security. Further, the hearing will focus on how threat
communication is disseminated across offices and will assess the level of coordination between federal and local
law enforcement.
For further information regarding the hearing, please contact the Subcommittee Professional Staff, Jill Crissman,
at ext - 55147
Connect to the Live Webcast This link will be available on the day of the hearing.
March 11, 2010
| Washington Post: Use of private security guards at government buildings comes under scrutiny |
The Washington Post has reported on the use of contract security guards at federal facilities and the upcoming
hearing to examine feral employee workplace safety and security. The article can be found at the Washington
Post website or by clicking here.
hearing to examine feral employee workplace safety and security. The article can be found at the Washington
Post website or by clicking here.
March 16, 2010
| FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE UNION TELLS CONGRESS AGENCY IS IN DISARRAY AFGE Local 918-FPS Testifies Before House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform |
(WASHINGTON) – Today, David Wright, president of the union representing Federal Protective Service (FPS)
personnel, testified before Congress on the chronic challenges facing the agency, including dramatic staff
shortages and an undermanaged, under-trained contract workforce. In addition to serving as president of the
American Federation of Government Employees Local 918, Wright has been an employee of the Federal
Protective Service for 23 years.
Over the past two years, the FPS has been examined six times by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
In each study, GAO concluded that the agency is unable to fulfill its mission because of internal challenges. The
union is now calling on Congress to act to protect the employees and facilities of the federal government.
“The recent attacks on the Pentagon, an IRS building in Austin, and federal courthouses in Las Vegas and
Kansas City serve as wake up calls to both the administration and the Congress that the time for discussion,
studies and years of reports is over,” said Wright. “Action is required now, not after the next major terrorist
attack.”
The Federal Protective Service is crippled by a severe lack of trained personnel. In the wake of the Oklahoma
City bombing, the federal government determined that a minimum of 1,480 FPS personnel were necessary to
perform the agency’s mission. In the 15 years since that terrorist attack, the agency has never reached that level
of personnel. In fact, since the development of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003, the total number of
inspectors and police officer positions has dropped from 1,017 to 830 – a reduction of over 18 percent.
Congress recognized the need for a robust security workforce when it congressionally mandated that FPS have
no fewer than 1,200 fulltime equivalent staff and 900 fulltime equivalent police officers, inspectors, area
commanders, and special agents in the FY2010 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. At its
current staffing levels the agency fails both of these standards.
“The current staffing levels make it impossible for FPS personnel to securely protect federal buildings and
employees. The agency cuts mean that we are no longer able to operate on a 24 hour patrol basis, even when
protecting high level security facilities,” said Wright. “Unfortunately, terrorists and criminals don’t work banker’s
hours, not having around the clock surveillance leaves serious gaps in our ability to provide security.”
The agency has attempted to fill its staffing gap with contract guards, but this desperate measure only
aggravates the problem. The number of contract guards monitoring federal facilities has exploded over the past
decade, from 5,000 in 2001 to 15,000 in 2009. However, these contract guards lack the necessary training and
authority to effectively protect high level security targets. “While the agency has exponentially increased the level
of contract guards, it cut FPS staff. The result is that there simply are not enough FPS personnel to train or
supervise the contract guards.” The gaps in training were revealed in a GAO test where investigators were able
to enter federal facilities with bomb making materials.
“In order to overcome the many challenges facing the agency, it is essential that FPS rely on frontline leadership
to deliver both law enforcement and security services to properly protect Federal workplaces,” Wright said.
Wright urged the Committee to increase the number of Series 0083 FPS Police officers as a way of restoring the
agency’s ability to adequately perform contract oversight. The Union is also urging Congress to change the
existing funding structure and appropriate the funding necessary to secure federal facilities – as opposed to the
current fee funding scheme.
“Federal employees deserve the right to feel safe at work,” said Wright. “As threats against federal employees
and federal buildings continue, it is essential that the administration and the Congress take all steps necessary to
ensure their protection.”
A recording of the hearing may be viewed on our Videos page.
personnel, testified before Congress on the chronic challenges facing the agency, including dramatic staff
shortages and an undermanaged, under-trained contract workforce. In addition to serving as president of the
American Federation of Government Employees Local 918, Wright has been an employee of the Federal
Protective Service for 23 years.
Over the past two years, the FPS has been examined six times by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
In each study, GAO concluded that the agency is unable to fulfill its mission because of internal challenges. The
union is now calling on Congress to act to protect the employees and facilities of the federal government.
“The recent attacks on the Pentagon, an IRS building in Austin, and federal courthouses in Las Vegas and
Kansas City serve as wake up calls to both the administration and the Congress that the time for discussion,
studies and years of reports is over,” said Wright. “Action is required now, not after the next major terrorist
attack.”
The Federal Protective Service is crippled by a severe lack of trained personnel. In the wake of the Oklahoma
City bombing, the federal government determined that a minimum of 1,480 FPS personnel were necessary to
perform the agency’s mission. In the 15 years since that terrorist attack, the agency has never reached that level
of personnel. In fact, since the development of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003, the total number of
inspectors and police officer positions has dropped from 1,017 to 830 – a reduction of over 18 percent.
Congress recognized the need for a robust security workforce when it congressionally mandated that FPS have
no fewer than 1,200 fulltime equivalent staff and 900 fulltime equivalent police officers, inspectors, area
commanders, and special agents in the FY2010 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. At its
current staffing levels the agency fails both of these standards.
“The current staffing levels make it impossible for FPS personnel to securely protect federal buildings and
employees. The agency cuts mean that we are no longer able to operate on a 24 hour patrol basis, even when
protecting high level security facilities,” said Wright. “Unfortunately, terrorists and criminals don’t work banker’s
hours, not having around the clock surveillance leaves serious gaps in our ability to provide security.”
The agency has attempted to fill its staffing gap with contract guards, but this desperate measure only
aggravates the problem. The number of contract guards monitoring federal facilities has exploded over the past
decade, from 5,000 in 2001 to 15,000 in 2009. However, these contract guards lack the necessary training and
authority to effectively protect high level security targets. “While the agency has exponentially increased the level
of contract guards, it cut FPS staff. The result is that there simply are not enough FPS personnel to train or
supervise the contract guards.” The gaps in training were revealed in a GAO test where investigators were able
to enter federal facilities with bomb making materials.
“In order to overcome the many challenges facing the agency, it is essential that FPS rely on frontline leadership
to deliver both law enforcement and security services to properly protect Federal workplaces,” Wright said.
Wright urged the Committee to increase the number of Series 0083 FPS Police officers as a way of restoring the
agency’s ability to adequately perform contract oversight. The Union is also urging Congress to change the
existing funding structure and appropriate the funding necessary to secure federal facilities – as opposed to the
current fee funding scheme.
“Federal employees deserve the right to feel safe at work,” said Wright. “As threats against federal employees
and federal buildings continue, it is essential that the administration and the Congress take all steps necessary to
ensure their protection.”
A recording of the hearing may be viewed on our Videos page.