Union Stakes in Homeland Security Fight

As the Senate continues to debate creation of a new Department of Homeland Security, union rights of the employees who would be affected has been a major issue. Approximately 43,000 of the estimated 170,000 employees who would be moved in currently are represented by a total of 17 unions. The major bargaining units potentially affected by agency include: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service–National Association of Agriculture Employees, 2,032 covered employees, American Federation of Government Employees, 235; National Association of Plant Protection and Quarantine Office Service Employees, 225; Coast Guard–AFGE, 1,937; International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, 507; Metal Trades Council, 474; National Association of Government Employees, 308; National Federation of Federal Employees, 87; Customs Service–National Treasury Employees Union, 11,731; Federal Emergency Management Agency-AFGE, 1,138; Immigration and Naturalization Service–AFGE, 24,324.