MY MISSION

It’s very hard to talk about all that has happened in the past four years and to try to make sense of it, to absorb its lessons, and to chart a path forward.

What makes it so hard is that if nothing else, we learned that the world is unpredictable. Plans and visions for our future, can all fall by the wayside.

We have been living in a world where “people are skeptical about the future.”

As quoted by George Orwell “We are living in a world in which nobody is free, in which hardly anybody is secure, in which it is almost impossible to be honest and to remain alive.”

Some of us are people of faith and we could continue to count on the eternal truths to sustain us.

I like to think of AFGE as a congregation of believers, believers in justice, decency, and generosity. Believers in solidarity and the idea that an injury to one is an injury to all, that we are all our brothers and sisters’ keepers.

And because of our belief, we will never give up.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) labor union is the largest union representing federal and D.C. government employees in the United States.

It serves as a collective voice for federal and D.C. government employees, advocating for their rights, interests, and well-being in the workplace.

AFGE works to negotiate fair wages, benefits, and working conditions for its members, as well as to protect their job security and ensure their safety on the job.

The union plays a vital role in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the federal and D.C. government employee workforce, striving to create a workplace that values and respects the contributions of every employee.

AFGE serves as a powerful advocate and support system for federal and D.C. government employees, fighting to ensure they are treated fairly and have the resources they need to succeed in their roles.

My objective is to: "Empower the American Federal and D.C. Government Employee Workforce:

In Solidarity “We Rise"

Our mission is to champion the rights, dignity, and well-being of every federal and D.C. government employee across the nation.

Through unwavering advocacy, collaborative leadership, and a commitment to fairness and justice, we will strive to create an environment where every federal and D.C. government employee is respected, valued, and empowered to thrive.

As we embark on this journey, we pledge to:

Advocate tirelessly for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions for all federal and D.C. government employees.
Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the federal and D.C. government employee workforce, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.
Defend the rights of federal and D.C. government employees to organize and bargain collectively, strengthening the power of our union.
Champion policies that support job security, professional development, and career advancement opportunities for federal and D.C. government employees.
Fight against unjust practices such as discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace, holding accountable those who seek to undermine the rights of federal and D.C. government employees.

Together, we will stand united, harnessing the collective strength of our union to create positive change for federal and D.C. government employees and their families.

With determination, compassion, and a shared vision for a brighter future, we will empower the American federal and D.C. government employee workforce to rise and thrive.

What is it about this union that is different, special, that lets us achieve so much, even when the odds are against us?

There is no simple answer to this. Leading a diverse and rambunctious union like AFGE to success after success is the work of many hands.

But here’s my answer: We have a righteous mission. And when we all focus on that mission – to lift up the lives of all of our members, to lighten their burdens, to ease their way, to win for each of us a work life that is one where there is good pay and good treatment on the job, a chance to get ahead, to serve our families and the American people. That’s our mission and none is more righteous.

We have the best members. Nobody has to become an AFGE, every AFGE member is a part of this union because they have chosen to do so. You have chosen to belong, to engage, to be part of this glorious community working not only to better yourself but for a better workplace, and a better world for everyone.

We have a tremendous staff. They are brilliant, hardworking, dedicated, and committed to serving our members. They are God’s grace in action, every day.

We have many leaders who are deeply committed to the good of this union – stewards, local officers, council officers, and NVPs.

We are blessed with leaders who are wise and compassionate. Who are honest and work with integrity. Who show fortitude, imagination, and courage.

Wisdom and compassion. Honesty and integrity. Fortitude, imagination, and courage.

These are the attributes of leadership that I pledge to practice, and which I have always strived to practice.

I am a humble man, and I come from very modest beginnings. Everything I have achieved is due to my faith and my determination to use the gifts I have received to help others.

There are lots of debates in this labor movement about strategies for growing our numbers, strategies for exercising our power, and strategies for meeting the needs of the members.

My philosophy is to put the members first. The needs of the members for representation are my highest priority. And when I say representation, I mean at the worksite, the bargaining table, in the courts, and on Capitol Hill.

That is number one for me, and as a leader, I will continue to insist that service to the members be the number one priority.