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YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED
We need your support as a member so we can continue our fight to defend Goddard workers and our rights in the workplace!
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BECOME A MEMBER
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If you are an eligible current federal employee at Goddard Space Flight Center or Katherine Johnson IV&V Facility and would like to become a member there are two simple steps:
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is membership automatic?
Membership is voluntary, not automatic. If you are a federal employee at Goddard Space Flight Center or Katherine Johnson IV&V Facility we encourage you to become a member of GESTA, your professional association.
Who can join?
Any individual currently employed by the Goddard Space Flight Center or the Katherine Johnson IV&V Facility in the capacity of Engineer, Scientist or Technician (presently classified under NASA Class Code Series 200, 300, and 700) is a Bargaining Unit Employee (BUE) and eligible for membership. Only managers and Senior Executive Service (SES) employees are unable to join given their management responsibilities.
You can check your NASA Class Code here (internal). You can also check your latest SF-50 form in EOPF (internal), which will show your bargaining unit status in box 37. The codes in this box mean the following:
What is a bargaining unit employee versus a member?
There is a distinction between being a Bargaining Unit Employee (BUE) and a member. All BUEs are protected under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and can attend open meetings. Members are BUEs who join via the process outlined above, pay dues and are invited to General Membership meetings where we discuss and vote on the union's direction, elect officers, etc. If you are a bargaining unit employee, you do not need to pay dues and become a member to be entitled to union representation.
Are there other ways to pay dues besides Zeffy?
Yes, you can pay your $234 of annual dues (or $58.50 quarterly dues) by check (made out to GESTA) or cash. You can provide this payment to a GESTA official in person.
Membership is voluntary, not automatic. If you are a federal employee at Goddard Space Flight Center or Katherine Johnson IV&V Facility we encourage you to become a member of GESTA, your professional association.
Who can join?
Any individual currently employed by the Goddard Space Flight Center or the Katherine Johnson IV&V Facility in the capacity of Engineer, Scientist or Technician (presently classified under NASA Class Code Series 200, 300, and 700) is a Bargaining Unit Employee (BUE) and eligible for membership. Only managers and Senior Executive Service (SES) employees are unable to join given their management responsibilities.
You can check your NASA Class Code here (internal). You can also check your latest SF-50 form in EOPF (internal), which will show your bargaining unit status in box 37. The codes in this box mean the following:
- 1269 - GESTA Bargaining Unit Employee (BUE) and eligible for GESTA membership.
- 7777 - Eligible to unionize, not currently in a bargaining unit. I.e you are able to unionize but no union has formed to cover employees in your job category.
- 8888 - Not eligible to unionize.
What is a bargaining unit employee versus a member?
There is a distinction between being a Bargaining Unit Employee (BUE) and a member. All BUEs are protected under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and can attend open meetings. Members are BUEs who join via the process outlined above, pay dues and are invited to General Membership meetings where we discuss and vote on the union's direction, elect officers, etc. If you are a bargaining unit employee, you do not need to pay dues and become a member to be entitled to union representation.
Are there other ways to pay dues besides Zeffy?
Yes, you can pay your $234 of annual dues (or $58.50 quarterly dues) by check (made out to GESTA) or cash. You can provide this payment to a GESTA official in person.
How much involvement is required as a member?
As much or little as you want. Some members take on leadership roles, act as mentors, conduct research, and serve on committees. The volunteers who to take up these duties are critical in running our union, but we also understand not all members have the time, energy, or interest. Simply being a dues paying member can be more than enough to show your support and interest. All we ask is that our members try their best to stay informed by reading our emails, responding to surveys, and attend our annual membership meeting.
As much or little as you want. Some members take on leadership roles, act as mentors, conduct research, and serve on committees. The volunteers who to take up these duties are critical in running our union, but we also understand not all members have the time, energy, or interest. Simply being a dues paying member can be more than enough to show your support and interest. All we ask is that our members try their best to stay informed by reading our emails, responding to surveys, and attend our annual membership meeting.
Can being a member advance my career?
Yes. Our ability to promote improvements and fairness, as well as collaborate with management over changes that impact your work, is influenced by our colleagues willing to join their union. Simply put, the more members, the more resources and impact we have as a group in the eyes of managers and legislators, which benefits you and your career at NASA.
Members also gain greater insight on their rights and government processes that will affect them throughout their career, as well as have access to training opportunities.
Yes. Our ability to promote improvements and fairness, as well as collaborate with management over changes that impact your work, is influenced by our colleagues willing to join their union. Simply put, the more members, the more resources and impact we have as a group in the eyes of managers and legislators, which benefits you and your career at NASA.
Members also gain greater insight on their rights and government processes that will affect them throughout their career, as well as have access to training opportunities.
What is the purpose of GESTA?
As an employee based organization at NASA, our purpose is to meaningfully engage with NASA Management and federal government policy markers and leaders to address issues relevant to our careers, working conditions, NASA's mission, and the critical service we provide to tax payers.
Working together we have, and can continue to, with your support:
As an employee based organization at NASA, our purpose is to meaningfully engage with NASA Management and federal government policy markers and leaders to address issues relevant to our careers, working conditions, NASA's mission, and the critical service we provide to tax payers.
Working together we have, and can continue to, with your support:
- partner with Management to achieve success and resolve issues that impede organizational goals;
- support fair, equitable and objective evaluations;
- negotiate improvements over our working conditions;
- advocate for training and professional development;
- ensure no one has to compromise safety and their professional integrity over politics or favoritism;
- enforce and continue to improve our contract with Management that spells out our rights and conditions of employment while ensuring flexibility and professional discretion to get our work done; and
- advocate for or against legislation that currently or will impact GSFC, KJIV&V, NASA at large, and our professions.
