About Us

First I must say that I am new to blogging. It is remarkably easy to set one up, even for someone with limited computer skills. But I do have one problem. I am trying to get my running mate, Sylvester Hardin, permissions to write on this blog. I would like to have his bio on the blog too so it would be "About Us." I hope to accomplish that so that he can write on the blog while I am away next week.

Here are our bios from our campaign flyer. If all goes well you will be hearing from Sylvester next week.

The New Team

Dorie Southern has twenty years’ experience at the Department of State. She has worked as a secretary at FSI, a receptionist in the Office of Civil Rights, a program assistant in EUR, and now is an Inventory Management Specialist in OBO. As a steward in OBO she has:

• Helped three employees get overdue promotions;
• Helped an employee get taken off of leave restriction;
• Raised concerns of several employees who contacted her when the Department failed to pay their Quality Step Increases;
• Advised employees on performance appraisal and EEO matters.

At the July Town Hall meeting, Dorie publicly informed Secretary Clinton about merit systems principles being disregarded and contract positions taking over GS positions. At her urging, Secretary Clinton promised to look into these issues.

Dorie’s article entitled “Why Join AFGE?” won the AFGE National 2009 Communications Contest for Best Union Feature/News Story.

Dorie Southern and Sylvester Hardin were both born in St. Louis, Missouri. Missouri is the “Show Me State” and they are ready to show how real progress can be made in the treatment of Civil Service employees.

Sylvester Hardin is a former Marine. He joined the State Department in Overseas Buildings Operations in 2006 as a Program Analyst. He has extensive experience addressing EEO concerns, the Merit Systems Protection Board, and the Department grievance system.

Sylvester looks forward to working as a team with the 1st Vice President and the Chief Steward to address employee issues. They plan to organize the steward system so that every employee knows where to turn if they have a concern.

Our goal is to make the State Department a place where employees enjoy coming to work. We plan to address important issues like tele-working, alternative work schedules and the performance appraisals system.