Our vision for Local 1998

Equip stewards and officers with tools to effectively represent BUEs at both local and national levels. Promote de-escalation strategies and timely resolutions to prevent issues from escalating into grievances.

Teach representatives to negotiate with integrity and identify areas where the Union and management can collaborate, such as expanding BUE participation in ConGen and other Consular Affairs training.

Build strong working relationships across all levels of union and management to foster mutual trust, transparency, and understanding.

Ensure that members and BUEs feel heard, respected, and valued by opening more communication channels, encouraging participation in forums, and taking swift action on concerns.

I intend to negotiate nationwide policies that promote clear and attainable career advancement opportunities for passport specialists.

I will advocate for increased temporary duty assignments (TDYs), giving more specialists the chance to develop professionally and support mission-critical needs across the country.

I believe in taking proactive steps to prevent issues from escalating unnecessarily. At the same time, I fully support filing

grievances when management actions cause harm to bargaining unit employees (BUEs), violate the Collective

Bargaining Agreement (CBA), or negatively impact our network and Local 1998 as a whole. To that end, I will train local

representatives to utilize available resources such as the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), engage senior

officials, including the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) and Assistant Secretary (AS), to address poor management

practices and protect our contractual rights.

Pursue a Grade Increase for Specialists

I aim to work collaboratively with management to review the occupational classification series for passport specialists,

to seek a possible GS-12 upgrade for the position to better reflect the complexity and responsibility of our work.

I plan to grow the Legislative Committee and collaborate with other public and private labor unions to address

systemic labor issues, such as cost of living, student loan debt, paid family leave, workplace safety, and affordable

housing.

I will encourage greater participation in the Union by fostering a direct democracy model, ensuring BUEs have a clear

voice in decisions and a greater stake in our Union’s direction.

I will lead efforts to revise our by-laws to include checks against abuses of power and to create more democratic

structures that promote transparency, accountability, and collective decision-making on labor issues.