Welcome to the GESTA website

The Goddard Engineers, Scientists and Technicians Association (GESTA) is a local of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) and represents roughly 1700-1750 civil servant employees at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, Maryland. 

GESTA was formed by GSFC employees in 1981, and initially represented a bargaining unit of scientists and engineers. A bargaining unit of technicians was added in 1983. The current Collective Bargaining Unit Agreement (CBA) was re-negotiated with the GSFC management in 1995, and has been amended by five subsequent Memoranda of Understanding. This website includes a link to the CBA and the GESTA Bylaws.

GESTA leadership is provided by an elected nine person Executive Council and a number of appointed committees. Being a dues-paying member of GESTA is optional but all of the Bargaining Unit (BU) members (dues paying or otherwise) are bound by the collective bargaining agreement and are entitled to counsel and representation by GESTA in the event of a grievance. Dues are a modest charge and all employees are encouraged to join and express solidarity for the goals and objectives of GESTA.  A membership application (with instructions) is available at this website.

The membership dues cover the operating costs of GESTA that include the publication of a newsletter (more or less monthly), a retainer fee for the law firm of Woodley and McGillivary, office supplies, refreshments for our monthly general membership meetings, and additional legal fees to support grievances.

In addition, GESTA has been a member of the NASA Council of IFPTE Locals, which includes four other locals at NASA Headquarters, Glenn Research Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, and Ames Research Center. The NASA Council can communicate the combined position of all locals to NASA management, rather than just to their own center management.