The organizing efforts of AFGE Local 17 – which represents workers at the US Department of Veterans Affairs -- were recognized last week by AFGE’s National VA Council (NVAC) for having “helped make a very positive difference” within NVAC, which represents all 200,000 plus AFGE-represented employees at the VA. Local 17 president Bill Preston accepted the award on behalf of the local “in recognition of our local’s organizing and union building, which has resulted in an unprecedented 102.67 percent increase in membership over the past three years.” Preston notes that with over 700 dues-paying members “We are now slightly more than twice the number of dues-paying union members Local 17 had in 2010, a sign of strength that has not gone unnoticed by management.” Local 17 was further honored when NVAC President Alma Lee asked Preston to nominate her for re-election from the floor at NVAC’s triennial Convention, held last week and attended by more than 450 delegates from 138 locals.  Lee, who has served as President since 1992, was re-elected with 69 percent of the vote, which Preston says reflects her efforts to continue to build the National VA Council, which has grown from 35,000 to 94,000 dues-paying members during her tenure.