About TVFEMTC

What is TVFEMTC?

The Tidewater Virginia Federal Employees Metal Trades Council (TVFEMTC) is a labor organization that brings together various craft and trade unions into one unified voice. In plain English, a Metal Trades Council is a group of affiliated unions that work together to represent federal employees who work in maintenance, production, and industrial roles. By joining forces, we ensure that every worker has the strength and resources of a large organization behind them when dealing with workplace matters.

Our Mission

Coordinating Affiliated Unions: We act as the central point for local unions to collaborate effectively.
Bargaining & Agreements: We lead negotiations for collective bargaining agreements to secure better wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Protecting Employee Rights: We advocate for federal workers, ensuring that workplace policies are followed and that your rights are respected.
Advocating for the Workforce: We represent your interests to management and higher-level federal agencies, providing a dedicated voice for the Tidewater region's industrial workforce.

Who We Represent

TVFEMTC represents federal-sector bargaining-unit employees across four major activities in Tidewater Virginia: Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY), Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic, Naval Station Norfolk, and Weapons Station Yorktown. Our representation specifically covers Wage Grade (WG), Wage Leader (WL), and Wage Supervisor (WS) employees, ensuring your role is protected under federal labor standards.

Affiliated Unions & Council Structure

The Council is formed by affiliated local unions representing various trades. While you belong to your local union, the Council acts as the centralized legal body for collective bargaining and high-level grievances. Our structure includes Council Leadership (Executive Board), the Conference Committee, and highly-trained Stewards at each activity who serve as your first point of contact for workplace issues. This partnership provides both localized support and broad institutional power.

What Collective Representation Means

Collective representation means you are not alone when dealing with management. It is the legal right for employees to act as a group through the Council to negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions. Instead of each employee trying to negotiate individually, the TVFEMTC speaks with one powerful voice for thousands of workers, ensuring that the federal government adheres to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and treats every employee with dignity and fairness.