Are you ready for LegCon? Because we are! AFGE is excited to welcome our members to the nation’s capital for our union’s annual legislative conference on Feb. 11-14. It’s a perfect time to spread the love and stand up for what we believe in!
Besides networking with your fellow union members, you’ll get to do some cool things that can only be found in the labor movement. What’s not to love about protecting our shared values and uplifting each other?
Here are 5 things you can expect from this year’s conference:
1. This year’s theme is Together We Rise, United We Triumph
Our mission is to protect workers’ rights and democracy, but this year is especially important as it’s a presidential election year. Whoever wins will have a profound impact on all of us for the next four years and beyond. In addition, one third of the Senate and all 435 House seats will also be up for election. The laws that they pass will affect you.
The only way we can make sure we still have union rights and protections is to come together in solidarity and double down on our efforts to educate members on our rights, mobilize, and stand united for our cause.
2. Meet members of Congress in person
Several members of Congress understand the importance of the government workforce and share our values. LegCon is a great opportunity to introduce yourself to the lawmakers who shape the policies that affect you.
Here’s the latest list of members of Congress scheduled to speak at our legislative conference on Monday, Feb.12:
Rep. Steny Hoyer, Md.
Rep. Bennie Thompson, Miss.
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C.
Rep. Gerry Connolly, Va.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Md.
Also speaking on Monday are National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) President Doreen Greenwald and Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) President Terry Melvin.
House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, N.Y.; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, N.Y.; Sen. Tim Kaine, Va.; and Sen. Sherrod Brown, Ohio., will also greet AFGE members virtually via videos.
3. Get ready to learn new skills, meet cool people
At the conference, you will hear from our in-house experts about legislation and policies that affect you. AFGE will offer several educational training workshops to help prepare you for lobbying and legislative advocacy. Our communications workshop, for example, will help you leverage communications to mobilize members around legislative issues. At the Equal Employment Opportunity workshop, you’ll learn about reasonable accommodation, PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act, and Pregnant Worker’s Fairness Act. The General Counsel’s Office will host a Hatch Act and Anti-Lobbying Act clinic. There will also be a YOUNG Workshop, PRIDE workshop, and diversity workshop.
This year we’ve also added a workshop that will help you protect your retirement after decades of hard work. You’ll learn about legislation and policies that affect your retirement and what you can do to protect it. We’ll also discuss tips to avoid mistakes and surprises as you approach your retirement.
If you attend the civil rights luncheon, you’ll get to meet Maya Wiley, CEO and president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Wiley served as counsel to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and chaired the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board.
4. Rally on Capitol Hill
After strategizing with your fellow union members, you’ll get to visit your representatives and senators on Capitol Hill to discuss issues that are important to you.
We will also have a rally on Tuesday, Feb. 13 to call on Congress to fully fund our government. Several lawmakers and labor leaders are scheduled to speak, including AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, Sen. Brian Schatz, Hawaii; Reps. John Larson, Conn.; Maxwell Frost, Fla.; Greg Casar, Texas; Jamie Raskin, Md.; Glenn Ivey, Md.; and Donald Norcross, N.J.
5. Honor those who’ve made a difference
We are lucky to have so many activists who have a passion for labor rights and helping other people. This year we honor three people who go above and beyond to make a difference and move our union forward.
Legislative and Political Coordinator of the Year: Joshua Lepird (District 9, Local L017, Bureau of Prisons)
Veteran of the Year: Arthur Blackwell (District 3, Local 1916, Department of Energy)
Retiree of the Year: Geneva Moore (District 4, Local 1738, Veterans Benefits Administration)
For details of the conference, click here.
See you in Washington!
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