January 14, 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This weekend and throughout Black History Month, NFFE-IAM honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I call on all our members and every American to join us in reflecting on the lessons of Dr. King’s work and how we can apply his vision to our society today. As a fierce advocate for the working class and champion of equality for people across the globe, we strive to encapsulate Dr. King’s values in our mission as a union.
One such value is promoting democracy, including free and fair elections. I urge you and your colleagues to contact your Senators and demand their support for sidelining the filibuster, as well as the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. You can send a message here or use the IAM legislation hotline (toll-free) at 1-877-607-0785. The Freedom to Vote Act will overhaul election and campaign-finance laws to increase integrity. The John Lewis Voting Rights Act, named in honor of the late Georgia congressman and civil rights leader, will restore the power of the federal government to oversee state voting laws to prevent discrimination against minority voters.
This year, NFFE-IAM also has the opportunity to change the culture of the federal workforce towards a more just and diverse institution. Through our recommendations on implementation of new Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives, we aim to break down barriers of discrimination, fight for fair pay and promotions, and help build an empowered, diverse workforce. Together, we will use our collective power as a labor movement to increase transparency and hold the government accountable for discriminatory actions. With Dr. King’s values at the forefront of our recommendations on DEIA initiatives, we hope to honor his legacy with lasting policies that will promote equality and opportunity for all.
If you are interested in providing input on DEIA initiatives, we invite you to reach out to Yvette Piacsek (ypiacsek@nffe.org) or contact us using the form here.
We appreciate your attention and engagement with these critical issues. With your support and the dedication of Americans who are fighting for a more just nation, I am hopeful that we can make progress towards instilling Dr. King’s life work and mission into our present society and future as a country.
In solidarity,
Randy Erwin
Nation President
National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM)