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Quietly Making a Difference

More so than any Pubic Service Recognition Week I can remember, federal employees are feeling uncertain about what the future holds.

It seems like every week a new attack on their pay, benefits, or jobs emerges from the media and Capitol Hill, casting a dark shadow over their work lives. In this toxic environment anxiety, disillusion, and uncertainty – or some combination of the three – should logically rule the day.

But oddly enough, I have sensed a strong sense of optimism among our members. Although the road has been tough – even to the point where many felt like throwing in the towel – federal workers continue to show up to work every day proud to serve their country, quietly go doing the essential work our nation has come to expect from them.

Despite the pay freeze, retirement cuts, and budget tightening, these dedicated women and men have taken it all in stride, and carried on with their mission. They come to work every day to be stewards of our national parks and forests, to provide care for our veterans, and to find housing for the needy. They come to work every day to make sure terrorists don’t get passports, to ensure that our oceans, waterways, and skies are safe, and to see that our troops go to battle with the best support our nation can provide.

Federal employees come to work every day and make a difference – sometimes in the lives of millions, and sometimes in the life of just one. They are federal employees because there is a job to be done, and they are not just proud, but honored, to do it.

They are not asking for recognition – this week or any other week. All they ask for is the ability to serve their country.

So throughout this Public Service Recognition Week, let us honor the silent sacrifices that our nation’s civil servants make for all of us – every day. It is their selfless contributions that help keep our country great.

William R. Dougan

Local 178 Organizing Committee Charts Course for Big Summer Campaign

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

(National Federation of Federal Employees)

At a meeting of the Local 178 Organizing Committee yesterday, Local President Lisa Foust, accompanied by National Secretary Treasurer William D. Fenaughty and National Business Representative John Griffin, laid out an ambitious plan for growing membership in the coming weeks and months.

Located at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Northeast Maryland, Local 178 represents nearly 1500 professionals and nonprofessionals at the sprawling military post. With the help of the NFFE National Office, Local 178 plans on doubling its membership by summer’s end.

“This is going to be a very busy summer for us,” said Foust. “Our coworkers need a strong voice in the workplace, and it is up to us to get out there and show them how to get one.”

Among the many issues discussed at the meeting, effective and sustained communications with non-members emerged as the most important element of the plan. In response to this need, the committee decided to hold a town hall meeting on workplace issues for non-members, promote local accomplishments in the installation’s weekly newsletter, and publicize their accomplishments on the Local website, www.nffe.org/local178.

Earlier this month, the National Organizing Steering Committee, the body which drafted and approved NFFE’s new Organizing Strategic Plan, selected Local 178 as one of three targets for major organizing campaigns this year. In compliance with the Organizing Strategic Plan, the National Office is focusing its organizing resources on Locals that have shown a commitment to membership building. Major targets for this year, including Local 178, were chosen based on growth potential and plan participation.

“This is the beginning of something big for the installation,” said Griffin. “This is a proactive Local that is ready to fight for the hard-working men and women at APG.”

To learn more about the plan and get your Local involved, please visit http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/Forum/forumCategoryId/6235/pid/8694.

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