On Oct. 29th, 46 Soldier Support Institute (SSI) workers at Fort Jackson in SC overwhelmingly voted to join the IAM. The SSI workers had heard from the other 800 unionized workers at the Fort about the benefits of being union, and were encouraged to join the local. IAM Organizing Department Special Representative Jerry McCarty and NFFE Southern Region National Business Representative Chris Green helped file their authorization cards in August.
“Many of the employees wanted the security of the union as well as representation on Capitol Hill,” says McCarty. “Federal employees must work with the Federal Government to secure pensions and decent healthcare plans.”
That’s why NFFE and the IAM work together to make sure these workers get the respect and security they’ve earned. McCarty used his past experience as a federal employee at Red River Army Depot and a member of NFFE Local 2189 to help form the organizing unit.
“Our organizers and our members are spreading the word about the benefits of union representation we provide day in and day out,” said International President Brian Bryant. “It’s up to us to continue turning that momentum into more wins.”
Our new union brothers and sisters will join the rapidly growing NFFE Local 1214. Their President Erica Parker-Stewart has seen the local grow from a few dozen members to around 100 members in less than a year. Their growth exemplifies the popularity of collective bargaining rights for federal workers even in the US’s least unionized state.
“We applaud these training coordinators for taking themselves off the menu, and taking their seat at the bargaining table,” said IAM Assistant Organizing Director Juan Eldridge. “Our department is on track to finish the year strong, one team!”
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