FBI Gets A New Employee Association

A group of Federal Bureau of Investigation intellgence analysts announced the creation this weekend of the FBI Intelligence Analysts Association. Employees of the Bureau aren't allowed the join unions, but they can form groups to represent their interests--in this case, enhancing the agency's focus on intelligence-gathering and analysis. As the new group said in its press release announcing its formation:

We recognize the significant progress the FBI has made in becoming an intelligence-led organization that views Intelligence Analysts as a core part of its mission. However, we believe there is still a clear need to elevate the importance of intelligence in the FBI, enhance the role of the agency's 2,500 Intelligence Analysts, and provide additional career and professional development opportunities for FBI intelligence professionals.

FBIIAA also is posing itself as an alternative to the 29-year-old FBI Agents Association, saying that it will be a "independent, strong voice" for agency employees.