Legislative Conference
President Swartz and VP Walker
Hundreds of AFGE members gathered in Washington, D.C. for our annual legislative conference February 12-15, 2023.
This year’s theme is AFGE Rising: Building Our Power By Raising Our Voices. AFGE members strategized on how to build power and raise our voices so that we have the tools we need to serve the American people while protecting our rights at work.
Here are 5 things we learned at this year’s legislative conference:
1. An opportunity to learn and make a difference
We heard from our in-house experts and lobbyists on issues that are important to us. This year’s conference offered educational training workshops by district to help prepare you for lobbying and legislative advocacy.
In addition to these workshops, we attend a variety of sessions including your district and council meetings and a Civil Rights Luncheon hosted by the Women’s and Fair Practices Departments.
2. Meet members of Congress in person
Several members of Congress spoke at our legislative conference. This was a great opportunity to introduce yourself to the lawmakers who shape the policies that affect you. Here’s the latest list of congressional speakers:
Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC)
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser
Representative Glenn Ivey (Md.)
Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.)
Representative Abigail Spanberger (Va.)
Representative Don Beyer (Va.)
Representative Gerry Connolly (Va.)
Also greeting AFGE members virtually are:
Representative Katherine Clark (Mass.)
Senator Tammy Baldwin (Wis.)
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.)
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.)
Senator Chris Murphy (Conn.)
Representative Katie Porter (Calif.)
Senator Amy Klobuchar (Minn.)
Congressman Jamie Raskin (Md.)
3. Meet TSA Administrator David Pekoske
This is an exciting time to be a Transportation Security Officer! A lot of positive changes are coming to TSA, thanks to the hard work of AFGE and our TSA Council 100. AFGE appreciates the support from Administrator Pekoske for TSOs’ huge pay bump and more workplace rights.
4. We’re honoring Retiree, LPC, and Veteran of the Year
AFGE is members-driven, and we are lucky to have outstanding activists who go above and beyond to promote our union’s values. Their commitment to the labor movement is contagious and inspiring. Congratulations to this year’s award recipients!
Donald Fowler from Local 498, Retiree of the Year
Melissa Schardine from Local 3448, Legislative and Political Coordinator
Edward James from Local 252, Veteran of the Year
5. Get in on the action
We are government employees and we make America work. We serve our communities and help provide security and prosperity for this nation. We deserve fair compensation, good benefits, safe workplaces, and retirement security. But the new House of Representatives is threatening our livelihood with their manufactured crisis on the debt ceiling.
Several members of Congress spoke at the rally, including Senator Ben Cardin (Md.), Senator Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Senator Tim Kaine (Va.), Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), and many more. AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond also spoke.