The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) is proud to announce that Randy Kirchstein, President of NFFE Local 2189 at Red River Army Depot, and Link Miles, President of NFFE Local 1641 and Vice President of the NFFE-IAM VA Council, have been appointed to serve as a National Vice Presidents on NFFE’s National Executive Council (NEC).
Kirchstein has been an active and dedicated member of NFFE since 2010, beginning his union journey as a shop steward before taking on roles of increasing responsibility. He was appointed Secretary-Treasurer for his local in 2017 and later elected to the position. Following his successful tenure as Secretary-Treasurer, Randy accepted an appointment to serve as Local President and was subsequently elected to continue in that role, where he has been a tireless advocate for federal employees and their rights in the workplace.
“I’m honored and humbled to be appointed to this position,” said Kirchstein. “A lot of this new role will be educational for me – I’m excited to get a behind-the-scenes look at how our national office works and bring that knowledge back to my local. I want to help our members better understand how NFFE operates on a larger scale and how their dues are used to support and strengthen our union.”
Randy emphasized that one of his main goals as a National Vice President is to represent the unique experiences and needs of Department of Defense employees.
“I believe I’ll be the only Department of Defense representative on the National Executive Council, and I take that as a badge of honor,” he said. “I look forward to being the voice for our DoD members and contributing to the decision-making process to improve how we serve all NFFE-IAM workers.”
Reflecting on why NFFE and the labor movement are important to him, Randy spoke passionately about the difference a union can make in the lives of working people.
“It’s ultimately the voice of the people,” he said. “I’ve worked jobs that weren’t unionized – my wife still does – and the difference is night and day. Without a union, employees have little power and no real voice. With NFFE, we can bring concerns to the table, ensure safe and fair workplaces, and stand up for one another. That’s what unionism is all about.”
To NFFE members across the country, Randy offers a clear message: get involved. “Be active in your local,” he said. “This is a grassroots organization that starts with members in shops and locals across the country. Be a part of the change you want to see in your workplace.”
Link Miles has been a dedicated union leader and public servant throughout his 40-year career with the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he continues to serve as a registered nurse. He joined NFFE in 1994 and was appointed as Safety Officer for Local 1641 in 1996. After several years of leadership within the Local, he became Vice President in the early 2000s and has served as President since 2010. Miles has also been an active Vice President of the NFFE-IAM VA Council since 2012, representing VA employees and advocating for safer workplaces and stronger collective bargaining rights.
“I am excited to be more involved with NFFE,” said Miles. “I have some new things to learn in my new role and how to contribute as a member of the executive council, but I bring experience as a unionist who has worked at all levels supporting and defending the rights of our workers and our union.”
When reflecting on the importance of NFFE and the labor movement, Miles emphasized the union’s historical and ongoing role in protecting federal workers.
“NFFE has had a strategic role in the history of unions in this country, and I am proud to be part of how we move forward,” he said. “I am specifically proud of President Erwin’s work, seizing the opportunity to actively present a public voice for federal workers. Our workers need and rely on NFFE’s presence to remind them that we are working for them. We are in the midst of attacks to basic rights of workers and threats to the very existence of unions. Our work to assure the rights of federal unions is fundamental to unionism in general and essential to keeping basic rights of workers in the future.”
“I am proud to welcome both Randy and Link to our National Executive Council,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. “Each of them have outstanding track records as unionist and have helped their locals grow and prosper over the course of many years. I look forward to their influence on our NEC and what we can accomplish as a team on behalf of the NFFE membership. Congratulations Randy and Link!”