AFGE members, leaders, and staff are mourning the passing of a great unionist and people advocate Frank Barkley on Dec. 20, 2021.
Frank was former president of AFGE Local 1061 for more than 20 years, representing Department of Veterans Affairs employees in the greater Los Angeles area, Loma Linda, Long Beach, and San Diego. He was a retired AFGE member and retired District 12 national representative.
“Frank was known, respected, and beloved all across AFGE and especially in District 12, where he spent his entire federal and union career working for the Department of Veterans Affairs and AFGE,” said National Vice President for District 12 Mario Campos. “His continued vocal support, advocacy for recruiting membership, and continued willingness to assist wherever he was needed was second to none.”
Frank worked for the VA Medical Center in engineering. He joined Local 1061 in 1986 and was elected local president in 1993. Under Frank’s leadership, the local won several landmark grievances on behalf of members.
“Frank was certainly a pioneer in Local 1061,” said Local President Dee Mitchell. “He built this local and taught me everything I needed to know on how to become a strong union advocate. There was no other like him who fought for our union members and our fellow veterans. Frank (GranPa), you may be gone, but never forgotten.”
Frank retired from the VA in 2002 and joined AFGE District 12 where he continued to passionately organize new members until his retirement in 2018.
“His passion to teach other leaders and compassion toward all union members far exceeded his wealth of knowledge, which he enjoyed sharing with everyone,” NVP Campos added. “Frank’s incomparable dedication and love for his AFGE family is what will be remembered the most.”
Before joining the VA, Frank worked for Oscar Mayer until his retirement. Prior to that, he was in the Army and served in Vietnam.
He was also a lifetime member of the AMVETs and Blacks in Government.
Rest in Power, brother.
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