The Foreign Service Journal, January 2013

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY 2012 45 AFSA NEWS On Nov. 30, AFSA invited 25 former AFSA post repre- sentatives to a round-table luncheon to hear their candid accounts of their labor union experiences and take note of their suggestions for improv- ing services to our members serving in 274 overseas mis- sions. AFSA President Susan Johnson began the discus- sion with the following stats about the 146 current post reps: 102 of them are tenured and 44 are untenured. Men occupy 67 percent of the positions; women occupy the remaining 33 percent. Their average age is 41. At present, only five USAID employees are post reps. The largest posts currently without a post rep are Amman, Brasilia, Khartoum, London and Mexico City. OPEN - ENDED TOP I CS The program followed a series of open-ended topics, ranging from how post reps are selected to problems they faced and how AFSA could provide greater sup- port. The luncheon partici- pants’ career experience was substantial, with some hav- ing spent more than 30 years in the Foreign Service. From the discussion, we learned how much the roles of post reps have varied across the world. While some had very little to do beyond referral of cases to AFSA headquarters, oth- ers reported substantial involvement in the events at post. Many mentioned they had received complaints regarding overtime work and that FSOs are hesi- tant to complain for fear of retaliation. They indicated a need for more substantial training, including greater online resources and written materials. An interesting discus- sion on how post reps are selected ensued, with some individuals being asked by post management or the out- going post rep to volunteer for the position, while other posts held elections. POST REP DUT I ES Further suggestions included: • A more complete descrip- tion of post rep duties, along with specific expectations from AFSA headquarters. • Gauge interest and solicit ideas from membership at post. • Create a “letter of cre- USAID VP VOICE | BY FRANCISCO ZAMORA Views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the AFSA USAID VP. Links in the Field: AFSA Post Representatives dence” to the ambassador or deputy chief of mission cer- tifying the AFSA post rep and urging good relationships. • Develop a Foreign Service Institute distance learning course for post reps. • Encourage post reps to do a consultation with AFSA when rotating back to D.C. • Send frequent “post rep only” messages on the issues AFSA is working on. • Provide post reps with papers on such topics as Overseas Comparability Pay, overtime, security issues and best practices for new reps. • Clearly define require- ments for holding elections. WORK I NG ON SUGGEST I ONS AFSA has already begun to work on the many invalu- able suggestions made during the meeting and is confident this work will result in improved services to its members. We encourage active-duty FS employees to volunteer as post reps. AFSA will reimburse up to $100 a year for costs related to AFSA business, including refresh- ments for meetings and other expenses. The AFSA post represen- tative program was estab- lished by the Foreign Service Act of 1980 and is defined in the Foreign Affairs Manual. It is a voluntary position that forms part of the labor/ management structure and is formally recognized by the foreign affairs agencies in their labor agreements with AFSA, the exclusive labor bargaining agent for the Foreign Service. I NFORMI NG AFSA OF I SSUES AT POST The post rep does not negotiate with post manage- ment, but instead, serves as AFSA’s representative. Their job is to inform AFSA of issues at post and to provide information, contacts and resources to post’s AFSA members. Typically, difficul- ties between employees and post management may occur related to safety, security, health, family life, living arrangements, fairness in bene ts and privileges or working conditions. Post reps refer employees to AFSA if they are the subject of an investigation by the Of ce of the Inspector General or Diplomatic Security. In other words, they serve as AFSA’s eyes and ears overseas. FOR MORE I NFORMAT I ON For more information on AFSA’s post representa- tive program please go to www.afsa.org/post_rep re- sentatives.aspx. n Many mentioned they had received complaints regarding overtime work and that FSOs are hesitant to complain for fear of retaliation.