Greetings,
My name is Tameka V. Johnson, and I am honored to announce my candidacy for President of AFGE Local 4156.
With nearly two decades of experience as a Social Insurance Specialist and over a decade in progressive leadership roles within our Union, I’m committed to building a more responsive, transparent, and empowered Local, that effectively advocates for its members.
I began my career with SSA in 2008. For the first seven years, I worked in a non-bargaining unit district office. After receiving an unjust performance evaluation in October 2013, I conducted research on obtaining collective bargaining rights for my office. Through persistent advocacy and collaboration with AFGE national leadership, I successfully led the effort to convert my district office and adjacent field office to unionized offices in September 2014.
Since February 2015, I have served in multiple leadership capacities including Chief Local Steward, 3rd Vice President, 1st Vice President, and currently, Executive Vice President. I have mentored local stewards, provided guidance to elected officers and union colleagues. I have successfully filed and won numerous grievances and unfair labor practice charges on behalf of employees whose rights were violated by management.
My advocacy has extended to representing employees in formal complaints before the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Office of Special Counsel, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. I have negotiated collaborative agreements with management and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and served as lead negotiator on multiple settlement agreements with SSA and the Federal Labor Relations Authority.
As an organizer, I have worked tirelessly to strengthen our union through increased membership engagement and grassroots advocacy. I am committed to standing for what is right even when it is unpopular or met with retaliation from managers who’ve been disciplined or held accountable as a result of the charges I’ve pursued against them.
As President, I will:
● Lead inclusive and strategic negotiations that reflect the real priorities of our members and aim to improve working conditions.
● Ensure transparency and open communication, to empower members with the knowledge of the union’s vision and efforts on behalf the federal workforce.
● Strengthen unity across all offices within our local including field offices, the Teleservice Center, the WSU, and the Card Center to build a more connected and powerful union community.
For years, I have worked diligently behind the scenes, stepping in to fill critical gaps religiously left by those holding leadership titles. Unlike my opponent, I have a proven record of consistent, reliable and effective representation.
My candidacy isn’t driven by a desire for status or recognition. I will not abandon members in need of representation nor fail to attend regional meetings or gatekeep vital information shared by council leadership intended to be disseminated to local officers, stewards and bargaining unit employees. I will actually ensure all elected officers perform their representational duties and comply with their oath of office, the Local Bylaws and AFGE National Constitution.
The current state of AFGE Local 4156 calls for critical decisive action. We can not afford to support an illusion of leadership while the strength and integrity of AFGE Local 4156 continue to erode. It is time for change, one that secures a stronger future for our local members and our union.
That is why I’m asking for your vote. Let’s move forward together with a team that will faithfully execute their representative duties and cultivate a transparent, effective and stronger Union Local, that reflects our voices and values.
In Solidarity, Tameka V. Johnson, President AFGE L4156
