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You Don't Need to Hire a Lawyer. You Have One — Us.

When you bring an issue to Local 2138, the resources of the largest federal employee union in the country come with it. Your officers consult AFGE’s national attorneys on member cases — with access to legal guidance every day, at no cost to you. One hour of a private employment attorney’s time costs more than months of union dues. Below: our document library, a plain-English guide to the laws that protect you, and where to turn — starting with us.

Document library

All Contract Grievances Representation New Employees

DOCUMENT	DESCRIPTION	ACCESS
2023 VA–AFGE Master Agreement	The collective bargaining agreement governing your employment at VA Connecticut.	PUBLIC
Local 2138 Bylaws	Constitution and bylaws of AFGE Local 2138.	MEMBERS
Local 2138 Grievance Form	You don’t file alone — contact us and we complete it together.	PUBLIC
Investigation & Complaint Form	Report a concern or request union assistance with an investigation.	PUBLIC
Weingarten Rights Card (printable)	Carry this card — know the words to say when called into a meeting.	PUBLIC
Steward’s Handbook	Training manual for union stewards and representatives.	MEMBERS
New Employee Rights FAQ	Everything a new VA Connecticut professional needs to know about their rights.	PUBLIC

Plain-English guide to the laws behind your rights

5 U.S.C. § 7102 • Right to organize

You have the right to form, join, or assist a labor organization — and to refrain — free from interference, restraint, coercion, or reprisal. This is the foundational right that protects your decision to be a union member.

5 U.S.C. § 7114 • Right to representation

The union’s right to be present at formal discussions and your Weingarten right to have a representative at investigatory interviews. The Agency must give the union notice and opportunity to attend.

5 U.S.C. § 7116 • Unfair labor practices

It is unlawful for the Agency to interfere with your rights, discriminate against you for union activity, or refuse to bargain in good faith. If it happens, the union files a ULP with the Federal Labor Relations Authority.

5 U.S.C. § 2302 • Prohibited personnel practices

Covers whistleblower protection under (b)(8) — you cannot be punished for reporting waste, fraud, or abuse. Also covers (b)(9) — retaliation for exercising any appeal or grievance right. File complaints with the Office of Special Counsel at osc.gov.

TITLE 38 / 38 U.S.C. § 7422 • VA clinical professionals

Special rules apply to Title 38 and Hybrid Title 38 employees at the VA. Certain clinical decisions and peer review matters are excluded from the grievance procedure. If you are Title 38 or Hybrid Title 38, ask us which rules apply — the answer matters.

Where to turn — and why you should always start with us

Federal employees have multiple forums for workplace disputes — the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), and the grievance procedure under the collective bargaining agreement. Each has its own deadlines, its own rules, and its own limitations.

Here is the trap: choosing the wrong forum — or filing in two forums at once — can permanently forfeit your rights in one or both. An EEO complaint has a 45-day deadline. A grievance has a 30-day window. An OSC disclosure has its own process. Filing a grievance AND an EEO complaint on the same issue can force you to elect one and abandon the other.

This is why the very first thing you should do — before researching, before filing anything, before talking to anyone else — is contact the union. We help you choose the right path, meet the right deadline, and protect every option you have.

Something happening at work?

Don’t research alone — ask your union. Deadlines may already be running.

office@afge2138.org · 203-932-5711 ext. 11285 · union cell 203-901-2940