Thursday, December 10, 2015

Another Important Endorsement for Hillary Clinton!

IMPORTANT: This information should not be downloaded using government equipment, read during duty time, sent to others using government equipment, or sent to anyone while in a government building because it involves election related activity.

Why AFGE is Supporting Hillary Clinton for President of the United States

December 10, 2015

The 2016 presidential election is fast approaching, and no one will be impacted more by our nation's decision than government employees. The next president will be our boss for four years and hold enormous sway over our jobs, our pay, and our retirement, and we must do everything we can to support the candidate who supports us.
AFGE needs to make sure that whoever occupies the White House values our work and our agencies' mission to serve the public. We need someone with the spine to stand strong against the anti-government ideologues that want to shut down the government and eliminate your jobs.
That's why AFGE is proud to endorse Hillary Clinton for President of the United States.
“Secretary Clinton shares AFGE’s vision for a strong and vibrant government workforce that has the necessary tools and support needed to deliver vital programs and services to the American public,” said AFGE National President J. David Cox, Sr. “The American people count on government employees to keep their streets safe, deliver their Social Security checks on time, and care for our nation’s heroes at veterans’ hospitals, and AFGE can count on Hillary Clinton to help us get it done.”
While many candidates have used government employees as political punching bags, Clinton has stood up for employees at the VA and other agencies. While other candidates are trying to raid your pay, Clinton wants to protect it - and give you a fair raise. While many candidates want to destroy AFGE and other unions, Clinton believes unions are critical to building a vibrant middle class. While other candidates have introduced legislation to make federal employees at-will, Clinton is committed to protecting you against retaliation, discrimination, and wrongful personnel actions by allowing union reps to do their jobs protecting frontline employees' fundamental due process rights.

Secretary Clinton told AFGE leaders at a recent presidential forum “I believe in the right to organize and bargain collectively. I think we’ve lost track of what it takes to balance the economy so it works for everyone. Workers need to be at the table."
Clinton also assured AFGE that she won’t let the Department of Veterans Affairs be exploited to satisfy a political agenda. She wants to make sure our correctional officers and TSA officers are safe on the job, and SSA employees can continue to serve Americans at community offices and elsewhere.

 Read about her position on government employee issues here.


Secretary Clinton wants to be AFGE's partner in restoring pride in government service, and the time to come together and answer the call is now.

How We Decided to Endorse

We did not come to our endorsement decision lightly. Before we decided which candidate deserved AFGE's support, we reached out to all announced presidential candidates - Republican and Democratic - with a questionnaire to gauge their positions on federal employees. We conducted a scientific survey of our members' candidate/issue preferences, and Clinton’s support exceeded that of the next closest candidate’s by nearly a 2-1 margin. We monitored presidential debates, and held our historic presidential forum with the two candidates who promptly responded to our questionnaires.
AFGE is a large organization with a variety of political opinions, so all endorsements are made on candidates’ stances on the issues alone - not party. We support candidates who support a better life for our members and the public they serve; we oppose candidates who villainize public service and suppress unions, workplace protections, and voting rights.
After reviewing every candidate’s record on federal employee pay and benefits, furloughs, shutdowns, and government services, the AFGE National Executive Council this week voted to endorse Hillary Clinton. Now we need to close ranks and stand by her in what will no doubt be a long fight against a determined anti-government, anti-worker onslaught.
Read more >>>>

Statements
Hillary Clinton Statement on Endorsement from the American Federation of Government Employees

Hillary Clinton released the below statement after earning the endorsement of the American Federation of Government Employees. With the endorsement of the AFGE, which represents 670,000 federal workers in 1,100 locals, Clinton now has the support of nearly 12 million union members across 18 different national unions and labor alliances that have endorsed her campaign.
“I am honored to have earned the endorsement of the American Federation of Government Employees and their 670,000 members.
“AFGE members make America run—protecting our national security, keeping our families healthy through food inspections, and serving our military in civilian support roles. And for decades, AFGE members have helped build the American middle class by fighting for higher wages, safer working conditions, and the right to organize and bargain collectively.
“As President, I will always stand up for workers’ rights, fight to keep workers safe on the job, and protect retirement security, including defined benefit plans and Social Security. I’m proud to stand with federal workers, including the men and women of AFGE, to continue making progress and build a better future for working families. Because when workers are strong, families are strong—and when families are strong, America is strong.”
This endorsement follows the endorsement of the International Longshoreman Association, International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), The National Education Association (NEA), The Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association (OPCMIA), United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers, The American Federation of Teachers, The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Ironworkers, International Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and North America’s Building Trades Union (NABTU).
Read more>>>>


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