Frequently Asked Questions
PETITION PROCESS
How do I join the petition?
Please complete this form to help us streamline our data collection.
Even if you’ve already submitted your information by email, filling out the form will help us get updates out faster!
What to expect after this current step:
1. Showing of Interest: Once 70% of employees in your job series who would be eligible for inclusion in AFGE Local 2883’s bargaining unit have expressed interest, we'll email you a “showing of interest” form to print, sign, scan, and email back.
2. Official Petition: AFGE Local 2883 will then file an official petition with the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) requesting an election to join the bargaining unit.
3. Election Time: Once FLRA approves, it will hold the election. Further updates to come.
4. Success: With enough support, all eligible employees in the petitioned job series will be included in AFGE Local 2883’s bargaining unit. This will update your Bargaining Unit Status code to 1872.
MEMBERSHIP
What is the difference between a bargaining unit employee and a member?
Bargaining unit employees (BUEs) are exclusively represented by AFGE Local 2883 and afforded due process through a collective bargaining agreement between AFGE Local 2883 and CDC. BUEs may also be members (dues-paying) which extends their rights as far as having a voice concerning Union operations, expenditures and electing of officers. BUEs aren’t required to be members.
Members may or may not be BUEs. Members who are not BUEs are ineligible for grievance procedure representation afforded BUEs through the collective bargaining agreement. However, Union representatives may provide representation in their personal capacity for members participating in statute-related activities such as Alternative Dispute Resolution and Equal Employment Opportunity complaints.
Members also retain their voting power whether they’re bargaining unit eligible or not. To take advantage of other benefits available through AFGE National and its partners, employees must be members.
To sum it up, employees can be bargaining unit and a member, but not all members are eligible to be bargaining unit.
When can I join AFGE Local 2883?
Anytime! Now! Learn more here: https://join.afge.org/L2883
Even if you are a bargaining unit employee, you are not a union member unless you become a dues-paying member of AFGE Local 2883—this ensures that you have the support, representation, and collective power needed to secure a fair and equitable workplace.
For those not yet in a bargaining unit, joining AFGE Local 2883, pre-election, also demonstrates a strong collective interest in union representation and can help influence undecided employees and increase the likelihood of a successful election outcome! Member dues fund the resources needed to organize, petition, and enforce agreements during these unprecedented times. Join AFGE Local 2883 here!
Together, we can achieve better working conditions, increased job security, and stronger defense against unlawful actions!
You can be our union hero and support our efforts by forwarding this email to any of your CDC/ATSDR non-supervisory colleagues who aren’t currently in a bargaining unit. The faster we get a sufficient showing of interest, the sooner we can advance our growing bargaining unit and union membership!
BARGAINING UNIT STATUS CODES
Where can I find my bargaining unit status (BUS) code?
Your BUS code is in box 37 of your most recent SF-50. The quickest way to access your SF-50 is logging into your eOPF.
What does it mean if my BUS code is 1872?
This means that you’re included in the bargaining unit, and AFGE Local 2883 is your exclusive representation. Become a member and join us in doing all we can to create better working conditions for bargaining unit employees (BUEs).
What does it mean if my BUS code is 7777?
This means there is no Union currently representing your unit or your unit does not have an exclusive representative but may be eligible for representation if a petition is filed to do so. If you believe you’ve been incorrectly coded, submit a request for review to Labor Relations.
NOTE: AFGE Local 2883 has successfully petitioned the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to include in the unit, remote workers whose agency worksite would be campuses in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area or the Miami Port Health Station, Miami, Florida. You are now in the the BU! Because of a recent Executive Order, OHR has currently paused BUS code changes.
And, still, don’t give up if your job series is not included in the bargaining unit. The Federal Labor Management Relations Statute (the Statute) reads:
Employees covered by the Statute have the right to form, join, or assist a union, or to refrain from such activity, without reprisal, including the right to:
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organize, or attempt to organize, a union in the workplace
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act as a union representative
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seek union assistance
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file or pursue a grievance
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refuse to form, join, or assist a union
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be fairly represented by their union
To have your series included in a bargaining unit or form a bargaining unit requires a “showing of interest” from employees who wish to join or form an organization. An election will need to take place with the FLRA for this to happen. Please complete this form to express interest.
What does it mean if my BUS code is 8888?
Outside of a coding error—which we suggest you confirm if you believe this code to be incorrect—you’re ineligible for bargaining unit inclusion. Below are some reasons you would be coded 8888. If none of these apply, contact Labor Relations for a review of your code.
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Any management official or supervisor (definition: the official has the authority to hire, direct, assign, promote, or discipline subordinate employees; not merely routine or clerical in nature).
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A confidential employee (employee works for and is involved in effectuating management policies dealing with Labor-Management Relations).
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Any employee engaged in personnel work in other than a purely clerical capacity.
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An employee engaged in investigative or security work which directly affects national security; or any employee primarily engaged in investigations or audit functions relating to the work of individuals.
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Consultants
What if my BUS code is something other than those already mentioned?
It is likely you are already a BUE with another local. You can find your Local by using the BUS code to search on the Federal Labor Management Information System’s website.
Remote Workers
Am I included in AFGE Local 2883’s collective bargaining unit if I’m a remote worker with a bargaining unit status code of 7777?
Remote workers whose series is included in the bargaining unit and whose agency worksite would be campuses in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area or the Miami Port Health Station, Miami, Florida, you are now in the BU!
What if I’m a remote worker coded 7777 but my agency worksite would be a CDC campus other than those located in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area or the Miami Port Health Station?
We’d suggest you contact the local that represents your campus for further assistance. Email us and we’d be happy to provide you with their contact information.
Series Requiring Petition/Election
Eligible and Actively Petitioning Series
Most job series at CDC are eligible to petition to be included in the bargaining unit. If you are coded 7777, that means you are eligible! Eligible series includes, but is not limited to: 101, 180, 401, 403, 601, 602, 610, 690, 690, 819, 1529, 1530. Our L2883 Organizing Committee is actively collecting names of interested employees. Please complete this form if you are interested in petitioning for your job series to be included.
685-Series Employees
I am part of the 685 series and coded 7777. Am I in the bargaining unit?
Good news! If your duty station is in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area or the Miami Port Health Station, Miami, Florida, as of March 7, 2025, you are a bargaining union employee! This includes if you are a remote worker but whose agency worksite would be campuses in those areas.
Your BUS code may still be 7777 but L2883 has been including you in the bargaining unit and any actions on behalf of BUEs have included 685s as well.
Workplace Flexibilities Agreements
My Workplace Flexibilities Agreement will expire on (month/date/year). What should I do?
Bargaining unit employees have been instructed to remain in their current remote/telework/duty status until bargaining obligations have been fulfilled between the Union and the Agency.
If you received notification on February 21, 2025, or any time thereafter, notifying you to return to the office on March 17, 2025, or April 28, 2025, respectively, send an email to your supervisor requesting the Agency's business need for your return. Please cc' AFGE Local 2883 President, Yolanda Jacobs, on these emails.
If your supervisor forces the issue of you returning to the office, to avoid a charge of insubordination/failure to follow management's instruction, comply and grieve later.