About 600 AFGE leaders from across the country gathered in Hollywood, Fla., over the last weekend in September to chart the course of our union’s future during the 2026 AFGE Leadership Summit.
Leaders received a welcome from District 5 National Vice President Tatishka Thomas and heard briefings from National President Everett Kelley, National Secretary-Treasurer Eric Bunn Sr., and National Vice President for Women and Fair Practices Kendrick Roberson.
In his State of Our Union address, Kelley reminded leaders that before the Trump administration took office, AFGE created the 2025 Response Plan, a 10-point plan locals could use to prepare for an anti-union administration. He also highlighted AFGE’s legal victories, the success of E-Dues, and the power we hold when we work together as one union.
“In 2024 we wrote 10 steps to get this union ready for a fight. This weekend, we write the plan that gets us out of it. And we decide where we intend to be when it is over,” Kelley told participants. “They have taken a lot from us in 20 months. However, they have not taken the one thing that was never theirs to take – our solidarity. That is the power of we.”
NST Bunn briefed leaders on the state of our union’s finances and the tough choices the National Executive Council made to turn them around. NVP Roberson highlighted the importance of organizing young workers and the connection between civil rights and labor rights. He also warned leaders about the harm the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s proposed rule change would cause and urged them to submit public comments.
Facilitator David Campt guided leaders through key topics and table discussions regarding the effectiveness of the 10-point response plan. Each table was made up of leaders from various agencies throughout the federal and D.C. governments. After each discussion, leaders reflected on what they heard and submitted their priorities through an app. They then voted on AFGE’s near-term and long-term priorities.
Leaders set five near-term priorities:
Throughout the summit, leaders used leader callouts to give shoutouts to fellow AFGE leaders who inspired them. Before the summit closed, each leader submitted and shared a personal commitment to the new plan.
“Being in a room with 600 AFGE leaders all working toward one purpose was electrifying,” Kelley said. “I was impressed by the creativity and out-of-the-box thinking our leaders brought, and I deeply appreciated their willingness to have tough conversations about what isn’t working and who isn’t feeling heard. That honesty is how we get stronger as a union. My hope is that every participant left encouraged, energized, and ready to take new steps at their local right away.”
To keep the energy high, leaders competed in the Solidarity Cup. Each district formed a team with its own name and earned points for various actions including attending the conference, completing pre-reading, joining the pre-summit participant call, submitting a video, signing up for or increasing PAC contributions, and more. AFGE District 8, known as “The Mighty 8” and led by National Vice President Ruark Hotopp, took home the first-ever Solidarity Cup.
Congratulations to District 8 and thank you to every leader who attended the Leadership Summit.
AFGE leaders can expect to receive a copy of the plan in the coming days.
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