AFGE wrapped up our 42nd convention in Orlando last week with more than 1,400 delegates from 470 locals attending the convention. Through various sessions, AFGE delegates put their heads together to help shape the future of our union. They elected national officers and council executive boards to lead the fight for workers’ rights and serve AFGE members.
AFGE also recognized locals, councils, and districts with membership growth since the last convention in 2018. We honored a number of outstanding activists for their passion and dedication for civil and workers’ rights. Several labor leaders and members of Congress who share our values also addressed AFGE delegates either in person or through videos.
Here are some of the highlights of the convention:
- AFGE delegates reelected the three national officers to their positions: National President Everett Kelley, National Secretary-Treasurer Eric Bunn, Sr., and National Vice President for Women and Fair Practices Jeremy Lannan.
- Coalition of Black Trade Unionists President Terry Melvin called on AFGE members to lay down any differences they have and work on how to make AFGE the best union it can be.
- Sen. Brian Schatz’s greeting video got a loud applause from AFGE delegates when he mentioned that he had proposed a bill giving federal workers a 5.1% pay raise that they deserve. AFGE delegates also applauded House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson, who also sent in a greeting video, when he mentioned the House’s passage of a bill granting TSA officers collective bargaining rights.
- In honor of one of AFGE’s most ardent supporters and advocates of our legislative and political mobilization program, our union introduced a new award in recognition of outstanding grassroots union activism: the Fred McDuff, Legislative and Political Coordinator (LPC) of the Year Award. The inaugural award will be given out next year at our annual legislative conference.
- Retiree Coordinator Glenn Dixon became the first person to receive our union’s first-ever Retiree of the Year Award.
- Arthur B. Johnson, the founding father of AFGE Local 1336 in 1951, won the very first Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Women and Fair Practices Department. Johnson said he accepted the award on behalf of those who have given time and imagination to our union’s cause. His only regret was that his wife of 65 years was not there to share the award with him.
- LaRhonda Gamble, president of AFGE Local 12, won the A. Philip Randolph-Hubert H. Humphrey Award. She urged all union activists to fight for their local communities just like they fight for our rights in the workplace.
- Six labor leaders and members of Congress addressed AFGE delegates in Orlando. American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, Rep. Val Demings representing Florida District 10, Rep. Darren Soto representing Florida’s District 9, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, and Coalition of Black Trade Unionists President and Secretary-Treasurer, New York State AFL-CIO Rev. Terrence (Terry) L. Melvin.
- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who sent in a greeting video, got a cheer from AFGE delegates when he discussed Congress’s job to fight for workers, their rights to organize, better wages, and dignity in the workplace. Other members of Congress who sent in greeting videos were House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Bennie Thompson, Sen. Maggie Hassan, Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Raphael Warnock, Georgia gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Sen. Alex Padilla, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Rep. Conor Lamb, Sen. Cory Booker, and Rep. Brian Higgins. Labor leaders who sent in greeting videos were AFSCME President Lee Saunders, UAW President Ray Curry, BCTGM President Tony Shelton, and North Carolina AFL-CIO President MaryBe McMillan.
