AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO
80 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-737-8700
FAX 202-639-6490 www.afge.org
6s/00231146
February 16, 2016
BY HAND
Emilio T. Gonzalez, Director
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS)
20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20529
Dear Mr. Director:
In accordance with our Memorandum of Understanding dated October 10, 2006, this
letter is to inform you of the outcome of the Council elections for AFGE National Council 119
(CIS), held on February 24, 2007, and my delegation of authority to AFGE National CIS Council
119. The following officers were elected:
President - Michael Knowles, Local 1924
Executive Vice President - Carol Rash, Local 1200
Secretary-Treasurer - Bridgette Rodriguez, Local 1458
Fair Practices Coordinator - Daniel R. Bell, Local 1924
Women’s Coordinator - Rafael Flores, Local 3377
Vice President Eastern Region - James Bonnette, Sr., Local 2149
Vice President Central Region - Kevin M. Tinker, Local 3377
Vice President Western Region - Sondra Gottschalk, Local 1200
I hereby appoint the four representatives entitled to 100% official time under our MOU as
follows: Carol Rash (Lead Representative), Bridgette Rodriguez, Kevin Tinker, and Sondra
Gottschalk (national representatives).
I further hereby delegate my authority to these officers for the administration of the
national Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) bargaining unit above the local level,
effective immediately. This delegation includes the authority to deal with CIS on all matters
which are broader than local in scope and appropriate under Chapter 71 of the Civil Service
Reform Act, including the administration and enforcement of the master labor agreement.
During the life of the agreement, the council has authority to negotiate over any personnel policy
and/or practice and changes to conditions of employment. My office retains authority to
negotiate ground rules for renegotiation and to bargain the new master agreement.
{00231146.DOC}
Emilio T. Gonzalez
February 16, 2016
Page 2 of 3
Local presidents continue to be delegated authority to negotiate on matters within the
responsibility of the CIS management officials within their respective jurisdictions in accordance
with the terms of the master agreement and Chapter 71 of the Civil Service Reform Act. They
are also authorized to file grievances directly with the appropriate local management officials in
accordance with the master agreement. Council officers, Representatives and Local Presidents
are authorized to file unfair labor practice charges on behalf of the union, as they deem
appropriate.
The Council Officers, Representatives and Local Presidents may redelegate their
authority as they deem appropriate in order to carry out their labor relations responsibilities,
consistent with the AFGE National Constitution, the Council Constitution, and the applicable
Local constitution.
None of the above delegations should be construed as to preclude any member of the
bargaining unit from being represented by an AFGE National Officer or his/her staff, business
agent of their Local, or any other official of Council 119 or of their Local. Neither do these
delegations extend to matters affecting the certification of the bargaining unit. Any matter which
in any way modifies the unit or affects the certification is reserved to the exclusive authority of
the National President of AFGE or the AFGE Director of Membership and Organization, who
acts on the National President's behalf. All such matters should be referred to the National
President in a timely manner.
The new Council officers will be contacting you shortly to request a meeting. As a
reminder, we are still waiting for a response to our contract proposals, which we sent over on
January 24, 2007. We look forward to hearing from you shortly. In the meantime, we hope to
continue working toward a more cooperative and productive labor-management relationship with
CIS.
Sincerely,
/s/
John Gage
National President
Enclosure
cc:
Katherine Ripley-French, Acting Chief Human Capital Officer
Council President Michael Knowles
Executive Vice President Carol Rash
Secretary-Treasurer Bridgette Rodriguez
Vice President (Eastern Region) James Bonnette, Sr.
Vice President (Central Region) Kevin M. Tinker
Vice President (Western Region) Sondra Gottschalk
{00231146.DOC}
Emilio T. Gonzalez
February 16, 2016
Page 3 of 3
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR NEW CIS COUNCIL 119 OFFICERS
President:
Executive Vice President
Secretary-Treasurer
Fair Practices Coordinator
Women’s Coordinator
Eastern Region VP
Central Region VP
Western Region VP
{00231146.DOC}
Michael A. Knowles
Carol Rash
Bridgette Rodriguez
Daniel R. Bell
Rafael Flores
Jim Bonnette
Kevin Tinker
Sondra Gottschalk
knowles1924@aol.com
Crash21263@aol.com
Council119ST@aol.com
Danielrbell@hotmail.com
rflores_51@hotmail.com
local2149@yahoo.com
min-ktin@tx.rr.com
sondav@earthlink.net