News & Updates
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Podcast Big News: The AFGE Local 17 Podcast is Live! Telework and the Road Ahead
Welcome to the very first episode of the AFGE Local 17 Podcast — where we keep you informed, connected, and empowered as federal employees. The podcast is currently published on Spotify, but we are…
Events AFGE Local 17 Holiday Party 2024
Please join us for our annual AFGE Local 17 Holiday Party!
News Congressman Morgan McGarvey Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Help Expedite Veterans Appeals Claims through Stronger Workforce
WASHINGTON, DC (October 16, 2024) – Recently, Congressman Morgan McGarvey alongside Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL- 12) introduced H.R.9046, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney Retention and…
Featured The Death of Expertise at the Board
I received this response from a well-respected VLJ regarding my question about the Chairman hiring the Board’s Chief Counsel without any Veterans law experience. We should all be disheartened by this…
Work Environment 5 Alarming Reasons To Re think The Open-Office Design: A Productivity Killer
Management’s primary responsibility is to create an environment that encourages productivity and engagement. At the heart of this lies the design of our workspaces, which significantly impacts how we…
Reports All Employees Survey for BVA 2024 Comprehensive Thematic Analysis Report
As we all know, there comes a time each year when the All Employees Survey (AES) is pushed into everyone's inbox. Many of you likely thought the same thing: "Why should I bother filling this out if…
Information Government Shutdown News and Information
As we approach the deadline for passing a budget or continuing resolution for appropriations that fund operations, for the civil service including salaries, local 17 notes that the Chairman of the…
Events 11 Important Takeaways from the FY 2025 Attorney Performance Standards Town Hall
On August 22, 2024, Local 17 hosted a Zoom Town Hall to discuss the proposed changes to attorney performance standards for Fiscal Year 2025. The town hall, led by Douglas Massey, President of Local…
Events Celebrate Labor Day with AFGE Local 17: Join Us for an Ice Cream Social!
As Labor Day approaches, we at AFGE Local 17 want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible hard work and dedication of our members. Your unwavering commitment to serving our…
Information FERS Retirement Code Error Debt Letters
If you have received an email stating that you owe a debt to the federal government due to an error in FERS (Federal Employee Retirement System) deductions, please know that you can and should…
Featured Fair Pay for BVA Attorneys: Local 17’s Nick Keogh Takes the Fight to Congress
For reasons beyond our comprehension, the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA or Board) seems to be on a mission to pay its attorneys as little as possible and be ranked one of the worst places to work…
Telework McDonough's McDouble-Cross: How the Demoralizing 50 Percent In-Office Requirement Undermines Trust
Secretary McDonough’s recent email about implementing his 50 percent in-office requirement is a masterclass in how not to demonstrate integrity. McDonough’s new policy conflicts with an agreement he…