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More than 1,100 federal employees working at 14 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) locations throughout the country have overwhelmingly voted to join the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM).
Some elections had a 99% positive vote in favor of union representation. The latest organizing victories are part of a strategic organizing initiative between the IAM Organizing Department and NFFE-IAM.
“This partnership was the best use of the people power, skills, and abilities that IAM Organizing has to offer,” said IAM Assistant Organizing Director Juan Eldridge. “These government employees knew they wanted union representation quickly. We had the right people and the know-how to make that happen and ensure their voices are heard going forward.”
IAM Assistant Organizing Coordinator Jerry McCarty said that existing NFFE-IAM master agreements with federal agencies, like the U.S. Forest Service, help ensure immediate protection for members.
“The IAM can make sure that the employment laws that are already on the books are utilized correctly when it comes to reduction-in-force and other job actions with federal workers that the current administration is trying to circumvent,” said McCarty.
The new members at USGS include water science engineers, rare Earth mineral engineers, earthquake science engineers, and coastal change and hazards engineers. They provide key data and science to state and local governments, and the public at large.
The USGS also has a large group of non-professional technical employees who operate and maintain specialized equipment and tools that the professional scientists need to do their work.
“We understand the employment laws and policy guidelines that impact the rights of these workers’ jobs,” said IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett. “It just makes sense that they get professional representation from a union like no other.”
The IAM Organizing Department and NFFE-IAM currently have more representation elections scheduled with other USGS locations.
