KAFB hosts Partnership Council

Published Oct. 7, 2011
By Danny Monahan
377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. -- Kirtland Air Force Base hosted the Air Force Materiel Command and American Federation of Government Employees Council 214 Partnership Council Meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Council's mission is to develop and advocate the means to fully implement the labor-management partnership principles to make AFMC an exciting, productive and rewarding place for people to live and work.

"This Council brings management and leadership together at the highest levels to discuss issues or new programs which have an impact to all bargaining unit employees within AFMC," said Esther Gomez, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Manpower and Personnel Director.

The AFMC/AFGE Partnership Council was formed in 1999.

"This partnership is one of the most enduring and mature partnerships at the national level," said Dr. Steve Butler, AFMC Executive Director. "This partnership has a long history of working together."

AFGE Council 214 is comprised of 10 AFGE local labor unions across AFMC. AFGE Council 214 represents about 36,000 AFMC employees.

"Partnership means that AFMC and the Council communicate directly, as opposed to the union speaking to management through intermediaries," said Scott Blanch, AFGE Council 214 president. "It gives the parties the opportunity to listen and voice concerns to gain a better understanding of where we can go to reach a consensus on issues that affect AFMC and the people who work here. We look for solutions that will work best for everybody."
AFMC bases rotate as host of the meeting, which takes place three to four times a year. Kirtland last hosted the meeting in 2009.

"It is important to have face-to-face meetings at different bases, so the partnership council sees the various AFMC missions," said Mark Mora, AFNWC Labor Relations Officer. "It's important for them to come to Kirtland AFB and see the changes that have happened here in the last few years. The changes here have been extensive. We have added and reorganized units, personnel has grown, new aircraft have arrived, and much more."

Some of the topics discussed during the council's meeting were the future of teleworking, supervisor training and improving computer access.

Dr. Butler said because several personnel activities have become virtual, AFMC needs to improve providing computer access to employees who work in shops and out in the field.
During his visit, Dr. Butler had advice for young civilians looking to advance their careers within the Command.

"You should become experts in your career fields, continue your education and help others along the way," said Dr. Butler.

"As you get further along in your career, don't be afraid to broaden your horizons."

According to the AFGE Council 214's website, the partnership principles are to value and respect all members of the workforce; focus on common interests and shared problems rather than on rights and conflicting positions; share information openly and freely, build trust and treat each other as equals; and give priority to sustaining the "partnership" process.