Tinker set to host Partnership Council Published Feb. 19, 2010 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Air Force Materiel Command management and labor union officials are scheduled to meet here Feb. 23-24 for their quarterly meeting. Approximately 15 visitors are expected to attend, including AFMC Executive Director Dr. Steven Butler, a memeber of the senior executive service, and AFGE Council 214 President Scott Blanch. During the AFMC/American Federation of Government Employees Partnership Council meeting, senior leaders are scheduled to discuss ways to improve the AFMC work environment. "The meeting provides a forum for select members from Council 214, AFMC Headquarters and AFMC Centers to address various topics of interest to the command and AFGE," said John Over, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center executive director. "As host, we will have an opportunity to showcase some great things being accomplished by Team Tinker." Topics that may be discussed include progress in the Voluntary Protection Program and work force engagement. "The Partnership Council gives employees the opportunity to be viewed as equals by management and to work together for common ground on various issues in the workplace," said James Schmidt, AFGE Local 916 president. "During this council, I am able to speak on behalf of Tinker employees to this management group and give them a unique perspective through the eyes of the workers." The AFMC/AFGE Partnership Council formed in 1999. But, the concept of management and union representatives working together was first introduced in 1993 through an executive order by former President Bill Clinton. Known government-wide as the National Partnership Council, the act dictated organizations to create their own groups and work for a greater good. The National Partnership Council disbanded in 2001 per an executive order by former President George W. Bush. In 2009, lawmakers asked President Barack Obama to reinstate the order.