UNITY MAGAZINE SPECIAL EDITION-JAN25

UNITY SPECIAL EDITION

MAGAZINE

COUNCIL Council 220 Executive Committee President – Jessica LaPointe Executive Vice President – Angela Digeronimo First Vice President – Edwin Osorio Second Vice President – Amad Ali Third Vice President –Mark Rogers Fourth Vice President – Shonda Johnson Secretary – Monique Buchanan Treasurer – Jennifer Kirkham

Boston RVP – Camille Pineiro New York RVP – Shawn Halloran Philadelphia RVP – Nicole McMillin Atlanta RVP – Jimmy Botts Chicago RVP – Amber Westbrook

Dallas RVP – Ana Rivers Kansas City RVP – Jeremy Maske Denver RVP – Jordan Harwell San Francisco RVP – Stephanie Rodriguez Seattle RVP – John Pfannenstein

TO OUR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Thank you for your invaluable contributions to Unity Magazine. Your dedication and talent have shaped our publication's new direction, making it more engaging and impactful for our readers. We deeply appreciate your collaboration and look forward to continuing our journey together.

UNITY MAGAZINE

STAFF Editor-in-Chief – L. Greg Dorsey Graphic Designer – Deidre B.G Southerland Staff Photographer- Delia Trevino Writer Coordinator- Angela Digeronimo IMPORTANT: This information should not be downloaded using government equipment, read during duty time or sent to others using government equipment, because it suggests action to be taken in support of or against legislation. Do not use your government email address or government phone in contacting your Member of Congress.

EDITOR’S NOTE

L. GREG DORSEY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LOCAL 3184

A Lifetime of Faithful Service as a Sunday School Teacher In addition to his decades of public service, Former President Jimmy Carter’s commitment to his faith has been a central aspect of his life, particularly through his role as a Sunday School teacher. For over 60 years, Carter has taught Sunday School at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, demonstrating a rare and steadfast dedication to both his spiritual journey and his community.

His teaching ministry is a testament to his belief that faith should be lived out in everyday actions. Carter, who often says that his Christian faith is the foundation of his values, has approached Sunday School not as a mere duty, but as an opportunity to share his faith and serve others. Over the years, his classes have drawn people from all walks of life, including both locals and visitors who came to hear his insights on scripture. Through this personal and humble act of teaching, he has remained grounded in the belief that leadership is not about prestige, but about service, humility, and love.

Carter’s dedication to teaching Sunday School even after his presidency highlights his consistent and genuine devotion to his faith. In fact, even as he entered his 90s, he continued to lead classes, speaking openly about his deep convictions and using biblical teachings to address real-world issues. His time as a teacher stands as a quiet yet profound example of a life devoted to service—a reminder that faith, when lived authentically, can transcend political office and impact communities for a lifetime.

For Carter, the classroom was never about fame or recognition. It was about imparting the values of kindness, forgiveness, and the importance of helping others, all of which remain at the core of his faithdriven approach to leadership.

PRESIDENT’S

Corner

Dear AFGE Council 220 affiliated Union siblings, As we mourn the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, we reflect on his profound impact on federal sector unions and public service. While his presidency faced various challenges, his signing of the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA) of 1978 fundamentally transformed federal labormanagement relations and created the framework we operate under today.

The CSRA of 1978 stands as one of President Carter's most significant domestic achievements and represents the largest reform of federal personnel regulations since the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883. This landmark legislation established the organizational structure we know today, creating the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) with its Office of Special Counsel (OSC), and the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), while empowering the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to enforce equal employment laws in federal agencies. Most crucial to our union family, the CSRA explicitly codified federal employee's; right to engage in collective bargaining. This legislation created the legal framework that enables us to negotiate with agencies over working conditions, established procedures for union recognition, and implemented dispute resolution mechanisms including binding arbitration. These provisions allowed this AFGE Council representing field workers to secure its first contract, marking a pivotal moment in our ongoing mission to improve working conditions for you all.

As enshrined in 5 USC 7101, Congress recognized that protecting employee's; rights to organize and bargain collectively through their chosen labor organization safeguards the public interest, contributes to effective public service, and promotes amicable resolution of workplace disputes. This recognition remains fundamental to our mission today.

As we honor President Carter's memory, we recommit ourselves to building upon his legacy. We will continue our vital work of protecting and expanding collective bargaining rights for federal workers, ensuring that the public service remains strong, efficient, and fair for all.

In Solidarity, Jessica LaPointe President, AFGE Council 220

In 1952, then-Lieutenant Jimmy Carter was interviewed by Admiral Hyman G. Rickover to join the nuclear submarine program. Rickover asked Carter whether he had always done his best.

Carter’s honest reply—“No, I didn’t”—set the stage for a lifelong commitment to excellence.

This moment wasn’t just a turning point for Carter but an embodiment of deeper principles.

It is unsurprising that this idea of doing one’s best takes root in various philosophical teachings and is found in numerous parts of the gospel. My personal favorite is Luke 16:10 which teaches, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” A man of faith, Carter’s willingness to face his shortcomings and strive for improvement reflects this wisdom. We must all be good stewards of that which surrounds us, small as it might be. What good does our natural born talents serve us if we do not apply them to the benefit of others?

From a practical perspective, while we cannot control external circumstances, we can always control how we respond. Carter’s journey illustrates this perfectly: Instead of being paralyzed by the admiral’s scrutiny, he chose to let it inspire a relentless pursuit of his best self.

He understood that his place was not above others, but amongst them.

Carter’s story reminds us that greatness often begins in small, unseen acts of diligence.

Whether navigating a nuclear submarine or guiding a nation, the principles of faithfulness, will, and striving for excellence remain universal.

Let’s take a page from Carter’s book: When faced with challenges, ask yourself, “Did I do my best?” Then, let the answer guide you toward growth.

By: Oscar Gonzalez Local 3184

The Audacity to Be Disliked A UNION STEWARD’S DUTY In union work, especially as a Union Steward or AFGE Officer, having "the audacity to be disliked" is vital. It means having the courage to defend union members’ rights, even when it leads to opposition from management. With the challenges we may face ahead, this quality will be even more important.

When I started my federal career, workers had minimal protections, relying on an executive order from President Kennedy. Over the years, thanks to AFGE and President Jimmy Carter, we secured essential rights, allowing me to work for 51 years with protections. However, these rights are vulnerable to new executive orders, making the union’s role even more crucial.

The audacity to be disliked involves standing firm for union interests despite management’s resistance. Often, management may react negatively when union representatives challenge them, but it’s important to stay calm and focused on what’s right.

I had a personal experience that illustrates this. During a Health and Safety inspection, a manager initially welcomed us but tried to dismiss the inspection, claiming it was only a "meet and greet." Despite this, I insisted we conduct the inspection, suggesting the manager review the email and contact their supervisor if needed. My colleague was surprised by my firmness, as many employees fear retaliation and avoid confrontation.

The truth is, if we don’t stand up for our rights, we risk losing the protections we’ve fought for. The audacity to be disliked is about challenging management and ensuring our contracts are respected.

In the end, it’s about standing up for what’s right, protecting workers’ rights, and ensuring our hard-won protections remain intact. The courage to "stir the pot" is essential to preserving justice and fairness in the workplace By: Thanace Pikoulas Vice President, AREA 3 AFGE Local 1164

The most important action that Jimmy Carter took that impacted federal employees was the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA) of 1978.

This Act codified in federal law the ability of federal employees to form unions and to engage in collective bargaining. Prior to this Presidents Kennedy and Nixon signed Executive Orders that provided federal employees collective bargaining rights.

Carter proposed a statutory CSRA to eliminate the abuses of Watergate and the manipulation of the merit system. He wanted to invest more authority to managers while at the same time protecting employees from any abuse of authority.

The CSRA was controversial with federal labor unions. Much of it was a lift from the Nixon Executive Order.

It contained a strong management rights section that was distasteful to labor.

It also banned negotiations on pay and benefits and forbid strikes that have always been the primary leverage for private sector unions in collective bargaining. Ken Blaylock, AFGE President from 1976-81 supported the CSRA despite a lot of criticism from AFGE leaders at the time. He realized that having a statute instead of Executive Orders that codified the union-management relationship was critical to the survival of the union. In retrospect he was right. Presidents Reagan and Trump could easily have eliminated AFGE’s bargaining rights by a stroke of a pen.

Thanks, Jimmy Carter, for CSRA. AFGE’s continuing ability to represent employees effectively is a result of Carter’s understanding that having a statutory right to collective bargaining is essential to federal employee protection from abuse and having an effective federal employee voice through their union regarding Agency working conditions.

By: Witold Skwierczynski

"To me the relationship with God is a very personal thing," said Carter. "God is ever present in my life. He gives me guidance when I turn to him."

Some people know President Jimmy Carter as a former President who taught Sunday School. I always viewed Mr. Carter as a servant of God who was elected as President of the United States. He had a lifelong commitment to follow his faith, whether that be on the grand stage of United States presidency or in a small town in Georgia serving as deacon of his church or volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. I love the story in the late 1960's where Mr. Carter served as chairman of a Gospel film outreach and worked to integrate leaders in Sumter County, Georgia to further the ministry and lead others to Christ. The film was shown in a local theater and hundreds of different races sat side by side, knelt together, and prayed together. "Jimmy Carter was the only man who had the courage to be the chairman," Billy Graham said.

Jimmy Botts Atlanta RVP, Local 3094 President

"The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively." - Bob Marley President Jimmy Carter exemplified public service as a sacred duty. His dedication to strengthening Social Security and protecting federal workers' rights demonstrated his deep commitment to working Americans.

What set President Carter apart was his authentic character. He lived his values every day, from his modest lifestyle to his unwavering support for human rights. While others might have chased political expediency, he consistently chose what he believed was right for humanity, even when it came at a personal political cost.

After leaving public office, he continued to serve others through the Carter Center, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, and working tirelessly for peace and human dignity worldwide. He showed us that true leadership is not about accumulating power or wealth but about using one's position to help others. President Carter reminded us that government service is about improving people's lives. His legacy inspires us to approach our work as Union officials with the same sense of purpose and dedication to the common good that he exemplified throughout his remarkable life.

Rest in Peace, President Carter. May we honor his memory by being of service to others in the pursuit of a better tomorrow for all.

By Angela Digeronimo

By Howard Egerman It is with deep reflection and gratitude that I mark the 51st anniversary of my federal service, which began on December 26, 1973. While my service would be 55 years if I received credit for my military time, it was the early years of my federal career that truly shaped my path. When I first started, the only protection we had as federal employees was an executive order signed

by President John F. Kennedy. We understood then, as we do now, how fragile those protections were, knowing that any president could issue another executive order to take them away.

At the time, I worked alongside my colleagues at the Social Security Administration (SSA) without the security of a national contract or council. We operated under a patchwork of regional agreements, without the full protections that federal employees deserve.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of our great union, AFGE, and the leadership of President Ken Blaylock, we eventually secured a statute and legal protections that we could rely on. And thanks to the vision and support of President Jimmy Carter, I’ve had the privilege of working for 51 years, with the rights and protections that have allowed me to continue my service with dignity and security.

When I began my career, there was no national contract, no statutory protections, and no guarantee of fair treatment. We were reliant on a series of regional contracts and that single executive order from JFK to secure some basic union rights. But through the hard work of AFGE, under the leadership of President Blaylock, and the unwavering support of President Carter, we were able to secure the statute, the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), and the first national contract in the early 1980s.

While we have faced challenges under successive administrations, including executive orders, the protections we fought for through AFGE and President Carter's leadership remain a bedrock of our rights as federal employees. Without their efforts, my colleagues and I would have no protection today.

I am forever grateful to President Jimmy Carter and to AFGE for ensuring that workers like me have had the protections, the rights, and the opportunities to serve our country with pride. It is because of their leadership that I have been able to reach this 51-year milestone and continue to serve. Thank you, President Carter, and thank you to AFGE for making this journey possible.

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