Newly Elected 2026
AFGE Local 644 Eboard
Name / Position / Bio
President
Casey Bassett is the President of AFGE Local 644, representing Department of Labor employees and advocating for the rights and protections of bargaining unit employees. Casey began his career with the U.S. Department of Labor in 2012, the same year he launched his own independent LLC focused on organizing large-scale community events and projects.
Executive Vice President
And currently the Local’s BLS steward. I joined DOL and BLS through the Recent Graduates Pathway program after graduating with my Bachelor’s in Economics and International Relations, as well as my Master’s in International Relations. I’ve worked at BLS through the Economic Analysis and Information office delivering labor statistics to nearly everyone under the sun. And as your EVP, I plan to advocate and represent you just like our gold standard.
Treasurer
I have been with DOL for six years now. I am located here in the Philadelphia Regional Office on FL21 and I work in OASAM Office of Field Operations, Space Planning and Facilities Management.
Secretary
Rachel Carse is an OSHA employee and the Secretary of AFGE NCFLL Local 644. She has spent about ten years with the Department of Labor—working as an Economist for both OSHA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a few breaks along the way—but her commitment to fairness and looking out for others has been steady throughout.
Vice President – MSHA (Metal / Non-Metal)
Hi everyone, my name is Yvonne Schilling. I’m an MSHA Inspector with the Mine Safety and Health Administration working out of the Warrendale Field Office outside of Pittsburgh, and have been with agency since 2014. I also serve as the Vice President for MSHA (Metal) for our local 0644. I originally stepped up to take on the role because I believe it’s important to make sure everyone is treated fairly, that safety remains a top priority, and that management follows our CBA.
Vice President – MSHA (Coal)
James has spent 20 years as a coal miner and an elected Mine Safety & Grievance Committee Man at the UMWA local level. He has 17 years as UMWA International Health & Safety Representative throughout the US and Canada. James has 4 years as an UMWA Executive Assistant to the Secretary Treasurer at UMWA Headquarters. Also he has 11 years as an MSHA Inspector.
Vice President – OSHA
Akira K. Saunders has served as an OSHA Industrial Hygienist in the Pittsburgh Area Office for over 20 years. She joined AFGE on the first day of her federal career and has personally witnessed how strongly union representation benefits federal employees. Motivated by these experiences, Akira stepped up to serve as a Shop Steward for the Pittsburgh Area Office. In 2010, she was elected Vice President for the OSHA Philadelphia Region and has continued serving in that role. She believes that AFGE Local 644 remains strong because of its commitment to its members.
Vice President – WHD
Chris Harvey has been an investigator with the Wage and Hour division for the past 16 years, focusing on Compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act as well as government contracts and child labor compliance. He began his career in the Baltimore District Office and now works in the Harrisburg, PA Area Office. He resides in Mechanicsburg PA with his wife and 2 children. He is an avid skier and craft beer enthusiast.
Vice President – At-Large
Kenya Lynch serves as the elected Vice President-at-Large representing the DOL's smaller agencies, including EBSA, VETS, BLS, OASAM, and others. Since 2015, I have served as an EBSA (regional/ District Offices) shop steward and interim servicing steward for multiple DOL agencies, representing bargaining unit employees in workplace matters. Outside of her professional and union work, her interests are in local, national and global social issues.
