As I said in earlier messages to AFGE employees and members, the National Executive Council made a commitment to being transparent with our members and our employees on any development related to the serious allegations of misconduct that have been made against J. David Cox. Today, we have an important update for you.
Today, February 28, 2020, J. David Cox Sr. resigned as AFGE National President effective at the close of business. In accepting his resignation, AFGE concluded the processing of the November 2019 internal charges and former president Cox has forfeited his right to hold or run for any AFGE elected office in perpetuity. This resignation does not affect the investigation being conducted by Working IDEAL, nor does it alter AFGE’s commitment to process the February 2020 or future charges filed against Cox pursuant to the AFGE Constitution.
Per the AFGE Constitution, the National Secretary-Treasurer assumes the office of AFGE National President on the occasion of the National President’s resignation.
Thanks to the incredible solidarity of our members, your spirit, your determination, and your focus, the important work AFGE performs every day on behalf of the 700,000 federal and D.C. government employees we represent has continued uninterrupted as we have gone through this difficult period as a union. As I assume the role of National President, I am certain that our great union will continue leading the fight against attacks on our members’ pay, benefits, retirement, and rights on the job.
Even while we do that, we know that there is still work that we can do to improve our culture here at AFGE and make sure our own actions as a union align with our values. We remain fully committed to continuing to pursue those changes, like our recently introduced Code of Conduct for all AFGE events. We will continue to keep you updated as we pursue and implement further changes.
Thank you for the patience and understanding you have shown throughout this process, and I look forward to serving AFGE as your National President.
In Solidarity,
Everett B. Kelley
National Secretary-Treasurer, AFGE
