Union says Napolitano Will Keep Nation Secure, Foresees Smooth Confirmation
WASHINGTON , Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Federation of Government Employees today congratulated Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano on her nomination as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. AFGE, the nation's largest federal employee union, said Napolitano is a champion of labor and looks forward to working closely with her to keep the nation secure.
"Gov. Napolitano is an ideal pick to be the next chief of the Department of Homeland Security," said AFGE National President John Gage . "We are confident she can balance the need to keep the nation safe while protecting the privacy of our citizens. Law enforcement agencies around the nation have already duplicated parts of a homeland security strategy the governor developed for Arizona . AFGE believes she will serve the country well."
Napolitano also has proven she is a friend of labor. Among other reasons, she signed an executive order in December allowing the state to do informal talks with union officials about budgeting and other issues.
"AFGE expects Gov. Napolitano's confirmation hearing to go smoothly and looks forward to having a DHS secretary who understands the important role labor plays in fighting terrorism, securing our borders and keeping Americans safe," Gage said.
AFGE is the largest federal employee union, representing 600,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia , including the largest constituency of DHS employees comprised of Border Patrol, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, Federal Protective Service, FEMA workers, TSA officers, and civilian U.S. Coast Guard employees.
SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees
