The numbers are in. AFGE grew by 5.5% in 2023, making our union the fastest growing large union in the U.S.
AFGE’s membership grew from 282,438 in 2022 to 298,101 in 2023, putting AFGE up front, followed by the Machinists, Firefighters, SAG-AFTRA, and the Plumbers rounding up the top five. And, in 2024 AFGE has already surpassed 300,000 members.
This was the result of AFGE changing our organizing model for the past few years from selling membership based upon the best representation and union benefits to an organizing campaign based on building power in the workplace and having a voice on the job.
2023 was by far AFGE’s best organizing year in decades, and being named the fastest growing large labor union is such a testament to hard work and dedication of AFGE members and our staff. As national president, I could not be more proud of our organizing efforts because it truly took all of us,” said AFGE President Everett Kelley. “This is such an exciting time for AFGE and the entire labor movement, as more and more workers are saying ‘Union Yes’. Momentum is on our side, and I look forward to building upon that momentum this year.
AFGE Membership and Organization Director Dave Cann said AFGE members are joining because they understand their membership and their engagement as union members.
“Every member has a role to play in their union and a chance to make a change on the job and make improvements based upon their involvement in the union,” he said. “That has resulted in record breaking wage increases for federal employees, including the biggest federal pay increase in history for TSA employees, strong new collective bargaining agreements, and major workplace wins.”
AFGE membership continued to rise in March, pushing us towards our next goal of 325,000 members by the end of 2025.
The 300,000-membership mark represents a new era for AFGE members who were repeatedly attacked during the Trump administration. Trump’s anti-worker stance drove employees to leave their federal jobs or retire. His anti-union executive orders, for example, targeted workplace rights and made it harder for unions to represent employees.
As AFGE is marching towards our new goal, another Trump presidency would surely bring back the anti-worker policies and could be the end of unions and democracy as we know it.
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