Largest federal employee union says Almonord will fight to protect workers’ rights.
WASHINGTON – The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of Valbrun Almonord for election to Congress representing Georgia’s 3rd District.
Almonord is a member of AFGE Local 54 in Columbus, Ga., and retired from the federal government as a physician at Martin Army Community Hospital in Fort Benning, Ga. He supports protecting and expanding collective bargaining rights for all workers and strengthening workplace rights for federal employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Transportation Security Administration. He also opposes wholesale efforts to privatize federal work.
“It is with great pleasure that AFGE District 5 endorses one of our own labor leaders for Congress,” said AFGE District National Vice President David Mollett. “Val Almonord is quite knowledgeable of the issues facing working people in both the private and public sectors. His commitment to fight the legislative attacks on federal employees’ rights, benefits, and union representation makes him a candidate worthy of our support.”
More than 72,000 federal employees live in Georgia – caring for veterans, supporting the military, protecting our food supply, and getting Social Security recipients their benefits accurately and on time. There are about 17,880 active and retired federal employees in the 3rd Congressional District.
AFGE is the largest federal employee union in the country, representing 700,000 federal and D.C. government workers in all functions of government. AFGE represents nearly 108,000 federal employees in AFGE District 5, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“I proudly endorse Val Almonord and fully support him in his campaign for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District! Val has been a Post Committee member of the Muscogee County Democrats for a decade, and as Vice Chair he’s planned and supported almost every event we’ve organized. Val is a man that will represent ALL of the residents of the Georgia 3rd, not just those from his own Party. His experiences in the military, health care, and union worlds give him a unique and very relevant perspective on what needs to be changed so we as a country can move towards “Justice for All.” Please join me in supporting Dr. Val Almonord for Congress because he is a Servant Leader with the experience and compassion to put people first!”
“Georgians are tired of the self-dealing and self-serving behavior of those sent to represent us in D.C. We need a true public servant who’ll fight to make sure all Georgians can thrive. Val is that leader! Service has been his way of life, from serving to protect our freedoms to taking care of our service members and veterans at Fort Benning. Val wants to continue serving Georgians by fighting for them in the halls of Congress. The people of Georgia’s Third Congressional District can trust that he’ll always put them first and that’s why I’m working to send Val to Congress.”
“The need for caring, compassionate leadership to guide us has never been more apparent than during the ongoing COVID pandemic. We need leaders with experience, a proven record of service, and the heart to help those most in need. Dr. Val Almonord is that leader. His exemplary record as both a physician and a public servant are exactly what we need representing Georgia’s Third Congressional District in Washington, and that’s why Val has my endorsement and my vote.”