John,

As a member of this union for nearly forty years, I’ve been blessed to have been a part of so many of our successes and learned so many lessons from our challenges. Over the years, we’ve held the line against many attacks – from presidents who sought to weaken our members to congressional enemies hellbent on using our pay, our benefits and our security on the job as political bargaining chips. We’ve always risen to meet these challenges because of the strength of our values and beliefs and our willingness to fight to create the world those values demand.

So when challenges arise from within, it’s our mandate to meet those challenges with the same commitment to values and the same willingness to fight to bring into the world the safe and secure work environment we seek throughout the federal government. And we must do so TOGETHER.

Accusations have been made against our National President that, if true, are contrary to our values and contrary to the mission of AFGE. That is why we are moving SWIFTLY to appoint an independent investigator who will ensure a thorough and unbiased review of the facts, investigate credible claims, and hold anyone found to have engaged in misconduct accountable. Our values demand that be done; and done in a way that is TRANSPARENT and that reaches a fair outcome based on the facts.

Apart from the investigation, we need to ensure that we are fostering a safe environment for everyone. That is why the National Executive Council has ordered a review of our anti-harassment policies and the reporting mechanisms in place, so that we can address ANY and ALL concerns that a member or employee with allegations might have with reporting and ensure that there is NEVER a feeling of not being heard, of not being able to report—either anonymously or on the record, internally or externally, and 24/7. ANY allegation of misconduct at ANY level of the UNION must be able to be heard and considered with the seriousness that those allegations demand. This is just part of our commitment to you.

Meanwhile, the important work of our union must continue. Just 22 days from now, we face yet another potential government shutdown, and, with other political fights between the House and President currently making the work of funding the government another potential flashpoint, WE NEED TO BE VIGILANT. We need to be free to take on the internal challenges and reforms while also protecting government workers and their families, and we need to ensure that NONE of what is happening is being politicized to the benefit of those forces.

Let’s be real: We know the last few days have been disorienting and upsetting, but I want you to know that we are going to be TRANSPARENT about what is happening and how we are going to rise to the occasion, meet our internal and external challenges, and WALK THE WALK, not just TALK THE TALK.

We are a proud union, a strong union, a union that is still delivering on the promise we all seek: better and more secure workplaces, better and more support for our families and on the job, and protecting the rights and dignity of ALL federal and D.C. government employees. As more information about the way forward presents itself over the next few days, we will let you know—specifically about the status of the independent investigation and how to report credible infractions of our current anti-harassment policy. In the meantime, let’s get the job done for one another.

Yours in solidarity,

Everett Kelley
AFGE National Secretary-Treasurer

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