The American Federation of Government Employees: What my Union Means to Me

What my union means to me- AFGE
Institution
Date
In the history of the United States, one phenomenon stands tall. It is the workers plight. The fight for human rights and the struggle for better-working conditions go hand in hand in the history books. Every American dream of a safer, secure and rewarding workplace where each and every worker is treated with respect and dignity. When asked to write about what union means to me, I take a long look at the fabrics of the society and what is necessary for survival and continuity and the values I hold so dearly. This coupled with important values like integrity, fairness, dignity forms the buck of what the union membership means to me. If it were not for the union, workers would not be treated with dignity as they are treated today. In the following paragraphs am going to reflect on what the union means to me, the role union has played in bettering the life of American workers and collectively bargaining humane, dignified and honest treatment both at the workplace and outside job.
When one read through the history book on the milestone made by those who fought for American freedom, one realizes that the American federation of government employees (AFGE) underwent struggle to provide dignity to the millions of workers within the United States. Started on a humble belief that government workers from all across America could get together and create a better work place and a better country.
When one talk about union, people associate it only with work related issues. Very few people have the idea of what role the union plays in the life of its members outside their job. Through collective bargain and unionization, workers have managed to gain rights, respect within and outside their working places, as well as dignity. Being a member of a union give people a voice to articulate their issues thus giving them the opportunity to be heard. The freedom of speech, association, rights to humane working conditions as well as equality is fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution. These rights that people enjoy today did...