How to join AFGE Local 2199

Any worker in a unionized industry is eligible to join AFGE Local 2199. We welcome members from all backgrounds and professions at the VA. Supervisors and those with the B.U.S. Code of 8888 on their SF-50 form cannot be represented. Please reach out to us if you have questions if your profession is already represented.

You can join by clicking here https://www.afge.org/member-benefits/join/

Professions that choose, or are already represented by our local chapter are called Bargaining Unit Employees (BUEs). This does not mean these employees pay dues, but that they have voted to be represented by the union. They are covered by the VA/AFGE Master Agreement and have collective bargaining rights with changes in terms or working conditions; can file grievances; union representation during disciplinary/investigatory and formal meetings. 

Dues paying members have additional benefits in the forms of 

• additional representation with workers compensation cases or litigation such as arbitration or appeals
• voting on union matters and budget items
• participating on committees
• running for office, or being a steward
• Job training programs
• accessing AFGE National Benefit Programs and Discounts  

Dues are taken out every pay-period. Currently Dues are $20.91 each time. We purposefully keep our dues at the lowest national AFGE will allow, which is decided by a membership vote. 

Dues are paid in with two methods (NOT BOTH). Payroll deduction, where the Agency pays the union directly from the employee's paycheck; or E-Dues where the employee pays the union directly from their checking or savings account. Payroll deduction has been the traditional method. However, with recent events in Washington D. C. more are switching to E-Dues. The reason being that if any presidential administration or the Agency decides to not allow payroll deduction, then the employees are dropped from union membership without notice. The Agency is under no obligation to notify an employee, and the change may not go into effect for several weeks, making it harder to notice. 

That is why we are encouraging new and current members to switch to E-Dues. Click here to find out more on AFGE's national website  https://www.afge.org/common-pages/e-dues/

Membership dues are used for the members in several ways including:

• paying for litigation when required for arbitration, workers compensation cases, and appeals locally; or when National AFGE files lawsuits on employees' behalf.
• training for members and officers
• printed or electronic materials such as flyers, booklets, and this website
• Rallies, events, committee involvement
• Benefits programs and discounts (see afge.org for more information)
• Much more

It's important to remember that anything over $500 being spent  by our local union must be approved by our local E-Board and the membership in general.

First, please contact us. Most professions at the VA within the Salt Lake City system are represented within the VHA and VBA. You can use the chat feature here on this website or call the phone number above to ask. If we find out that your representation is not within our local union, we can work with you and your coworkers about how much interest there is to be represented. 

Stay up-to-date on AFGE Local 2199's latest news and events by signing up for our newsletter. You'll receive regular updates on our advocacy efforts, member stories, and more. You can sign up by sharing a personal email with us through the chat, or better yet, making an AFGE account and putting your email address there  so it will be shared with us. By signing up at the national level you will get both our newsletter and email updates from AFGE National www.afge.org