Everett Kelley, National President of the American Federation of Government Employees, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his 44 years with the union. Kelley talked about his success organizing at all levels of the organization and how the AFGE uses its National Legislative and Grassroots Mobilization Conference to fight for government workers.
Growing up in Anniston, Alabama, college isn’t always possible for good students. For Kelley, that was the case, like many Alabamians, the financial issues his family faced kept him from attending college. He joined the military instead, and thanks to his time in the Army, he qualified and utilized the GI Bill to eventually earn a Doctorate degree in Theology.
From 2002 to 2011, Kelley served as President of AFGE Local 1425 in Anniston —the first Black President of this Local — where he was able to increase membership by 103 percent by the time he moved on to become the Vice President of AFGE District 5. Again, he was the first Black Vice President of District 5 and he didn’t stop organizing. He grew the largest district in the federation from 38,000 members to more than 51,000 in his seven years in charge. In recognition of his organizing accomplishments and leadership at the Local and District level, AFGE members elected Kelley as the National President in August 2018, becoming the second Black National President in AFGE history.
It often feels like government employees are walking around with targets on their backs, Kelley said. When something happens with the government, whether it’s a new law or cuts in funding, government employees are often the forgotten workers. Kelley spoke about the way AFGE is using its National Legislative and Grassroots Mobilization Conference to assist them in their fight for protections. At the end of the day, Kelley said AFGE is here to serve and provide the members with the benefits they need and deserve.
Listen to the show above to hear more from President Kelley.
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