VOTE

Jeremy ​Lannan

AFGE National PResident

“To See The Change, Be The Change”

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I am requesting your support and your vote to elect me as ​your AFGE National President. We must be a Union for the ​people, by the people, and one who serves the people. As ​the Local & Council Leaders of AFGE, you each are a vital ​part of our Union’s foundation. We must commit nationally ​to empower and invest in our foundation so that we can ​build our Union Strong! You deserve support and ​assistance with Organizing and Mobilization, ​Representation and Bargaining, and with Legislative and ​Political Action, which your per capita taxes already pay for. ​You deserve an AFGE that includes you, invests in you, and ​serves you.

Together WE will “Be The Change” my AFGE Family!

Jeremy A. Lannan

The People’s Champ

Hello My AFGE Family,

I am officially announcing my candidacy for the position of AFGE National President. I am most humbled and honored for the opportunity to serve with each ​of you and on behalf of our incredible union.

I believe that AFGE is not just a union, but a family, a force for positive change to transpire the lives of federal and DC government workers and your families. ​As a union we must always be the advocates for change, to give people hope and something to believe in, we must always serve as the People’s Champ!

Through our collective voices, we must fight for our rights, for safe working conditions, for our pay, retirement and health benefits, and for the equal rights ​and justice for each and every member of this union. As your National President, I will dedicate myself to advancing these principles and taking our union to ​new heights.

First and foremost, I am committed to ensuring that the Locals, Councils, and Districts of AFGE will not only have the support and assistance that you need, ​but the representation that our members deserve from their National Office. We are a union that was built upon representation and that representation ​includes at the White House and on Capitol Hill, in our work places or in the courtroom, and in our communities and at the grassroots level. We must be a ​union that serves our members and is willing to fight for all federal and DC government workers, against all agencies, and against all odds. We have to be a ​Stay Ready Union so that we are always ready for whatever comes our way!

As your National President, I will take the necessary measures needed to ensure that we are a union that stands upon our foundation of democracy and due ​process rights, and that must be applied internally as well. The biggest concern for any organization should be when our most passionate people become ​silent due to fear of retaliation. As a member and leader of AFGE at all levels of the federation since I was 19 years old, more than half my life, I must say that ​it has been very disheartening to see the significant amount of charges, suspensions, trusteeships, and blatant violations of our National Constitution that ​have taken place over the last 6 years, much of which has been largely motivated by an abuse of power and political agendas. We are a Union that fights for ​second chances everyday, but have resorted to attempting to dispose of or even annihilate our very own, if we disagree, speak up, or exercise our rights as ​members. We have seen these types of intimidation tactics and the divide and conquer approaches used by leadership before, they try to divide us by our ​political party, by our races, by our genders or identities, by our religious beliefs, or even based upon who we love, because they know if they keep us divided, ​it keeps them in power.

Well my family, I refuse to allow the divide of this union to be created any further and I have proven that as a National Leader of AFGE, I am deeply committed ​to fostering a culture of inclusivity and diversity within our Union. AFGE should reflect the rich tapestry of our membership and address the issues that affect ​our members whether by agency, by sector, by occupation, or by diversity. You can rest assured knowing that as your National President, I will actively ​promote opportunities for our Locals and Councils to participate and lead within our federation so that everyone has a seat and voice at the table.

By embracing our diversity as one of our greatest strengths, we can amplify a collective voice and welcome the innovative ideas of all of our leaders and ​members, ensuring that we build this union together. We must ensure that the foundation of our union is solid by investing our resources and funds into our ​Locals, Councils, and Members, because you are what keep this union strong and why we have been able to overcome the attacks that we have been faced ​with both internally and externally.

As your National President, you have my word that I recognize the importance of effective communication and transparency not just being campaign slogans, ​but being a true characteristic of a Leader. I will ensure that the NEC has bi-weekly meetings where they will receive the information and updates that are ​needed for us to lead collectively and make informed decisions as the governing body in between conventions. I will also strive to keep our leaders and ​members informed, engaged, and empowered at all levels of AFGE, and not based upon voting strength, politics, or transactional relationships, but merely ​for the greater good of the federation. I will establish regular channels of communication, providing updates, addressing concerns, and seeking input from ​our leaders and members so that you are a part of the decisions made that affect you and not just told to accept them. Together, we will build a stronger, ​more connected and more unified AFGE!

As Cornell West once said, “You can’t lead the people, if you don’t love the people. You can’t save the people if you don’t serve the people.”

AFGE, I come before you to honestly say from my heart that I love you, I love our Union, I love the work that we do to help others, and I love each of you for ​being bold and brave enough to do this work. I also love the fact that We are a Union that serves the people and we must continue to serve as the People’s ​Champ!

Together, we have the power to make a difference, to create positive change, to shape the future of our union, to change the culture of dishonesty and ​toxicity from being accepted within, to save AFGE from becoming the corruption that we fight against everyday. I humbly ask for your support, your trust, ​and your vote as we embark on this journey together!

We Must Be The Change That We Wish To See In Our Union!

My Vision and Plan as Your National President

We are structured as a “bottom up” organization, not a “top down” structure like other labor organizations, which is why our per capita tax has always been set at such a ​low and reasonable rate for our members to be able to afford to be apart of their Union. Historically, AFGE’s model was to hire and build from within, the “reach one, teach ​one” concept, which includes mentorship, training development, and consistent guidance being provided. This model will result in strong leadership, knowledgeable and ​trained Locals and Councils, who will be able to perform this work much on their own, and who will receive the support needed from their National Office with the ​representational and litigation needs of the Locals and Councils.

I believe that one of the roles of the National President, among many, is to support all District NVP’s with carrying out their duties under the National Constitution, not to ​interfere or interject themselves into certain Locals’ internal issues for personal or political purposes. The position of National President has far too many other ​responsibilities that should be the focus, such as meeting with Congressional Leaders and Agency Heads on a regular basis. As your National President, you have my word ​that I will allow leaders of the NEC to lead their respective districts and departments, without using transactional leadership deals, quid pro quo methods, and without fear ​of retaliation.

As I stated in my official announcement, as your National President, I intend to hold bi-weekly NEC briefings to provide the NEC with the information needed in advance in ​order to make informed decisions for the best interest of the Federation. We must redirect the NEC back to our original purpose, which is to govern in between ​conventions and to LEAD the Federation, as prescribed under Article XIII. To be clear, the NEC Meeting agenda should reflect topics and efforts that move the Federation ​forward and that benefit our members. Under my leadership, the NEC will be focused on the issues that are important to YOU and that have a National impact on our ​Locals, Councils, and Members.

I am committed to ensuring that we, as a NEC body, fully comply with Article XIII Section 12(c) of the National Constitution, which requires the virtual streaming of all ​Sunshine meetings and other appropriate NEC meetings, including committee meetings. We will also not abuse and/or manipulate the NEC’s Executive Session privilege, ​as a means to prevent transparent and open discussion on topics that are important and appropriate for Sunshine Meetings. We must allow our Leaders’ and Members’ ​voices to be heard, not attempt to censor or silence them just because they may not agree or may have different view points.

Representation

Representation is the cornerstone of our Federation. In fact, you will find that most of our Members join AFGE because they want to be represented by their Union. While ​most Locals and Councils are self-sufficient, and organize themselves, they often need support and assistance with the representation and litigation needs of their ​members, especially in statutory appeal processes such as FLRA, OIG, OSC, MSPB, and EEOC. As your National President, you have my word and commitment that we will ​work to make improvements with the representational services provided through your National Office. We must ensure that our Locals and Councils receive the assistance ​needed to provide effective representation to our Members so that they receive the service from their union that they rightfully deserve.

Upon being elected, I will immediately begin holding bi-weekly NEC briefings, so that we, as a governing body, can stay updated and connected on the issues affecting ​our members and leaders. These briefings will allow for the NEC to give input, to propose solutions, and to collectively develop action plans where necessary. These bi-​weekly briefings will afford an opportunity for me as your National President to share information with all of the NEC members in a timely manner so that they are not ​forced to make drastic decisions based upon agendas or politics. The NEC is the decision making body of the federation and not the General Counsel’s Office, who are ​only in place to advise the NEC and National President on certain matters.

Within 30 days, I plan to form a workgroup consisting of AFGE Staff, District, Local, and Council Leaders, in order for us to review AFGE materials, training modules/topics, ​and manuals to provide recommendations on how to be more inclusive, effective, and to refocus our training efforts on areas that have a significant impact on Federal and ​D.C. government workers.

Within 90 days, I plan to reinstitute standing Council Leadership meetings in an effort to re-establish open forums that will improve the channels of communication with ​Councils and Locals throughout the Federation. Our goal is to encourage collaboration and unity amongst our various Councils and Agencies that we represent to ensure ​that we are working together and standing in solidarity as one Union.

Within 12 months after being elected, I plan to work with the NEC Members, Council Leaders, and Local Leaders to host an AFGE Leadership Conference that will be ​designed to bring the Leaders of AFGE together in Unity. The Leadership Conference will allow AFGE National, Districts, and Departments to obtain input, ideas, ​recommendations, and afford all AFGE Leaders the opportunity to be directly involved in developing a plan that will lay out the direction for our Union to move forward in. ​AFGE Locals and Councils are the foundation of our Union, and have proven to be our greatest asset to achieving success for AFGE. We must create a space and an ​environment for leaders at all levels of the federation to come together, so that we engage with them, empower them, and invest in them, which will allow us to build a ​stronger more powerful Union.

I can assure you that I will be a National President that you can count on, that you can be proud of, and that you will see AND hear working and fighting for the people. I am ​not afraid to meet with Agency Heads or members of the White House Administration, to have the tough discussions needed regarding the issues affecting our members ​and making the hard asks of what we need from them. In fact, it is vitally necessary that a National President who is elected by the delegates, be willing to spend this time ​and make these efforts on behalf of the Federal and D.C. government workers that we are here to serve and so that we ensure there is a National Voice for AFGE.

Organizing

Organizing and Mobilization are the backbone of this Federation for without our Members, there would be no AFGE. However, most Locals and Councils are self-sufficient ​when it comes to their organizing plans and successes, often times organizing yourselves at New Employee Orientations, Lunch and Learns, and Union Fairs, so the credit ​goes to each of you as the real organizing MVPs of AFGE. As your National President, you have my word and commitment that AFGE National will reassess and refocus our ​organizing efforts to meet the needs of our Locals and Councils. We will work on restructuring the Membership and Organizing Department and Staff to ensure that we ​have coverage in all Districts and throughout all Agencies that we represent, especially where the geographical areas need more coverage and the membership retention ​and growth opportunities exist.

Within 30 days, I intend to work with the respective District NVPs, Council Leaders, and Local Leaders to identify any potential new units to organize, both internally at ​their Locals and externally across their agencies. We must continue to build AFGE’s potential while we focus on growing our membership from the units already ​established. Organizing is not having to choose one or the other, it’s the ability to build relationships, to build trust, and to build our AFGE Family through the methods and ​means that we have available to us.

Within 60 days, I will form a workgroup consisting of District, Council, and Local Leaders, as well as some of the Membership and Organizing Staff, for us to review and ​reassess our current organizing efforts and practices, and to obtain real input and ideas regarding the future of organizing and mobilization needed to move AFGE forward. ​This new organizing and mobilization plan will include not just organizing new members into AFGE, but also training them on their rights as federal and dc government ​workers and building them as activist who play a direct role in legislative action. We will also ensure that there is focus around maintaining or expanding virtual and hybrid ​work environments and opportunities, which have been in effect across many agencies since 2020. We must understand that building a strong virtual organizing plan will ​embolden us with growing our membership while also building our activist networks universally.

Within 90 days, I will ensure that our National Human Rights Committee Members, our National Y.O.U.N.G. Committee Members, our AFGE Constituency Group Leaders, ​and our LEO, Fire Fighter, and Nurses Steering Committee Leaders are trained and certified as temporary organizers. These various leaders will actively participate in the ​organizing campaigns needed to organize through our diversities and on behalf of special category positions that often deal with different issues and attacks on their ​rights throughout the various Federal and D.C. government agencies that we represent. These efforts will allow Districts, Councils, and Locals the ability to tap into a ​network of trained and qualified subject matter experts and to include them on their organizing teams Federation wide.

Political/Legislative

Legislative Action and Political Engagement are the lifelines to our movement and solidify the rights that our members have as Federal and D.C. government workers. We ​must be bold and progressive in these efforts to ensure that we build upon our rights for the future and protect our rights from the past. As your National President, you ​have my word and commitment that we will provide bi-weekly legislative updates to our Locals and Councils so that there is effective communication taking place and so ​that your National Office keeps you informed and up to date on key issues. We will also reassess our current political engagement so that we ensure our messaging and ​efforts are focused less on red and blue affiliations and focused more on the candidates who publicly support government workers and the best interest of the blue and ​gold that we represent collectively as one Union.

Within 30 days, I will collaborate with the all NEC Members, the Legislative and Political Department Staff, as well as obtain input from Local Leaders, Council Leaders, and ​our Members, to help revitalize our legislative and political efforts and agenda. We must collectively develop a National plan of action and clearly lay out the direction that ​AFGE must move forward in to secure our future as a labor union and the future of all federal and D.C. government workers. While we may currently have the most union-​friendly administration ever in the White House, I don’t believe that we, as a labor organization, have maximized our abilities and opportunities during this rare opportunity. ​However, I most certainly believe that as your National President, and by working together in unity with each of you as the foundation of AFGE, that we can build and ​accomplish so much more for our Members.

With the November election season upon us, I am committed to ensuring that AFGE is seen and heard out in the communities that we live in. We must be reminded that ​​apart of our core mission is to be deep rooted in the grassroots of labor. In fact, it’s vital that we are out walking, knocking, and talking to union members and to the public, ​​engaging in phone/text banking activities, working the polls, and actively participating in voter registration activities. We cannot continue to wait for other organizations to ​​finalize their political action plans and then convey to us what our role is; AFGE must lead the way as the largest federal union and take action on behalf of Federal and D.C. ​​government workers by getting consistently and actively involved in these grassroots and mobilization efforts immediately. We should be simultaneously placing our ​​focus on our upcoming National Convention and the important decisions that need to be made, while also placing the majority of our focus on the upcoming elections ​​and combatting Project 2025 because WE have to be a Union that Stays Ready for whatever comes our way!

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