Brandon is running on the For the Good of the Local (FGL) slate for Delegate to the AFGE National Convention, AFL-CIO Maryland and DC, National Capital Area Council 1, AFGE District 14 Caucus, and Metropolitan Washington Council AFL CIO. Before joining local 12 Brandon was the Compliance Director for the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 MD, VA, DC. Brandon’s family has the Union’s inspiration in its blood stretching back for generations in the coal mines and factories of Pennsylvania. He brings this to bear in his work as a Wage and Hour Investigator, in his personal life as President of the Flower House tenant union in Takoma Park, and as a proud advocate for Local 12 and its members. The recent assaults on the federal workforce and our hard earned and lawfully bargained rights to security, telework, and more require a robust and militant labor movement to meet this moment. Brandon is excited for the opportunity to fight on behalf of our Local, to restore its fighting spirit, and to secure the dignity of us all as workers and public servants.

Sarah is running for Treasurer on the For the Good of the Local (FGL) slate to help Local 12 be a model union for financial stewardship and transparency. We are all the union, and a union's money is its members' money.

Members deserve full, transparent accounting of all finances. 

Members must decide how their money is spent.

Members own the money, not the Executive Board.

Sarah has been fighting for union democracy, in all respects, with a focus on finances. In these challenging times for federal workers, all our resources must be used effectively in the fight.

Sarah joined DOL as an Economist in March 2020 (previously at BLS and now at ETA), and asked to join the union right away. Since then, she has become a steward, a member of multiple committees, and most importantly, a friendly face always looking to get folks more involved in the union. She is proudest of her organizing work when someone she doesn't know yet stops her in the hallway with "Aren't you that union lady? Can you help me with something?"

Learn more about Sarah’s goals as Treasurer and FGL’s platform here: https://sites.google.com/view/forthegoodofthelocal

Kelsey has been the Acting Head Steward of Local 12 since August of 2025, and is running to serve as Head Steward to continue the fight. Kelsey began at DOL in 2019, and has spent her entire federal career enforcing or helping develop regulations. She has taken these skills to provide strong contract enforcement, representation, and advocacy for Local 12 members.

Growing up in the middle of the Rust Belt, Kelsey has been surrounded by strong unions, both in her home and community, for her entire life. She knows the necessity of unions, the need for strategically fighting workplace rights, the importance of cross-generational collaboration, and the power of one unified voice. She plans to continue with the Local’s ongoing push back on the attack on our members through open communication, collaboration, education, and representation.

Kelsey is proud to run alongside members of H.O.M.E. Helping Our Members Endure. As a group of experienced labor unionists who come from different agencies, backgrounds, and skillsets, our mission is to continue to put our members first. If you are interested in learning more about our mission, priorities, and our slate of candidates, please visit our campaign website: HOME AFGE Local 12 Leadership Team

I’m running on the H.O.M.E. Leadership Team slate and am running to remain the Local 12 Secretary, and to become the Local 12 Women’s Coordinator and Local 12 Fair Practices Coordinator.  I believe in building and maintaining a strong union that keeps equal and fair representation of its membership at the forefront of its priorities, its mission, strategies and goals. I also believe in honesty, transparency, accountability and treating every member with dignity and respect. If elected, I will continue to provide compassionate, fair and accurate representation while fighting for our members’ rights and serving the best interests of the entire membership. 

Elsbeth is running for Head Steward with For the Good of the Local (FGL). She has forever been union-strong, as her grandfather was a longtime shop steward for United Auto Workers (UAW) in Racine, Wisconsin.

Elsbeth currently serves Local 12 as a steward at her home agency, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and has been an active member since September 2024. She recently attended the AFGE Leadership Summit representing Local 12 to assist in strategic planning for the next five years of National AFGE. While there, she heard stories from other locals about the importance of connection and working together to enact change under the current administration.

Have you ever wondered “Why are we so disconnected? What can I do about it? How do we make the union work for us?” Elsbeth wants to work on that.

One of her goals is to establish active standing committees and foster stronger connections across the Department of Labor— we are stronger together. She plans to create a YOUNG group within Local 12 to encourage union membership for bargaining unit employees under 40. 

For more information about Elsbeth and her fellow FGL slate members, visit: https://sites.google.com/view/forthegoodofthelocal

I am seeking your support to serve in multiple delegate roles with Local 12. I have been an AFGE member since 2007, a Steward since March 2025, and SOL's Acting AVP since January 2026. In my roles with Local 12, I have represented individual employees in disciplinary matters, represented Local 12 in institutional grievances, participated in reorganization negotiations, conducted agency space allocations, and helped direct the activities of the local as an Executive Board member.

Throughout the years, I have seen first-hand the tremendous protections that AFGE has been able to secure for employees across the Federal Government. The need for these protections comes into sharpest focus when they are threatened. Rather than be distracted by internal disagreements, I believe should channel our energy into activities that strengthen our Local and produce tangible, positive outcomes for our members. I believe we can best do that by leveraging institutional knowledge, building on existing gains, and fostering positive relationships. This is why I am supporting the H.O.M.E. Leadership Team, a slate of incumbent members who have a proven track record of achieving gains for our most vulnerable members and advancing the Local's interests both within the Department and in national venues.

I am running on the For the Good of the Local (FGL) slate [link.https://sites.google.com/view/forthegoodofthelocal]  as a delegate to the AFGE District 14 Caucus, the AFL-CIO of Maryland and DC, and to the AFGE National Convention. I recently retired from DOL after 18 years as an attorney in the Fair Labor Standards Division of the Office of the Solicitor (SOL). I served the members of Local 12 as Agency Vice-President for SOL from 2009 to 2020, then as Head Steward from 2020-2021. I also helped lead the union out of trusteeship in 2018, and co-chaired the union bargaining team which successfully fought to protect our worker rights while negotiating a collective bargaining agreement with the first Trump administration, including litigation before the Federal Service Impasse panel, and represented Local 12 as a National Convention Delegate to the 2018 and 2022 Conventions. Prior to DOL, I worked as an attorney for National AFGE, as well as other labor unions including AFSCME and the UMWA. Along with other members of the FGL slate, I will press for increased union transparency, more member participation and democracy, and to return Local 12 to its roots as an activist, fighting union. 

I have been a dedicated member of AFGE Local 12 since 2005, serving as an Executive Vice President, Agency Vice President, Steward, and Acting Fair Practices Coordinator. 

As a disabled Navy Veteran, I decided to continue to serve through employment in the federal government, and currently have 29 years of federal service. While at Department of Labor at Bureau of Labor Statistics and Veterans Employment Training Service (VETS). 

I hold two Master's degrees, one in Management and Leadership and a second in Human Resource Management, and I am a certified professional mediator. With my unwavering dedication, extensive experience, exceptional leadership, and 29 years of federal service, I have worked with AFGE Local 12 since 2005 to protect, advocate, and represent AFGE Local 12 members.

Campaign Website: H.O.M.E. — AFGE Local 12 Leadership Team

Christine is the daughter of two career federal workers, one of them a veteran, and the granddaughter of a veteran and public servant. She joined Local 12 the day after the 2024 Presidential Election to join her union siblings in their resistance to the injustices and elimination of federal workers’ life’s work.

Christine looks forward to ensuring all members have access to the Local’s governing documents, as well as information like how to file a grievance, how to join, etc. She plans to send meeting minutes in a timely manner following general membership meetings, send members meeting packet(s) more than one business day in advance for review and revision, and participate in constructive communication with members seeking information and assistance. Additionally, Christine vows never to utilize AI-generated content instead of graphic design crafted with a human’s touch.

For more information on Christine’s background and other candidates running For the Good of the Local (FGL), visit https://sites.google.com/view/forthegoodofthelocal.

I am seeking your support to continue serving Local 12 as Treasurer. My commitment to our union has never been about a title—it is about service, integrity, accountability, and making a difference for our members.

My union journey began as a Steward, and I later served as Agency Vice President. I was previously elected by the membership to serve as Treasurer and currently continue serving Local 12 as Acting Treasurer. Throughout my union service, I have represented employees in grievances, negotiations, bargaining, reasonable accommodations, and other workplace matters. I also led a successful group grievance that resulted in affected employees being made whole.

Since retiring from federal service in 2024, I have remained actively committed to Local 12, including performing my current responsibilities as Acting Treasurer without compensation. I bring financial officer and EEO I/II training, extensive leadership experience, and a doctorate in Organizational Leadership.

As Treasurer, I will continue emphasizing financial stewardship, transparency, accurate reporting, compliance, and accountability to our membership.

Leadership is demonstrated through service. I am prepared to continue serving Local 12 with experience, dedication, integrity, and commitment.

Brothers and Sisters:

I am a retired member of Local 12.   I joined when I arrived at DOL in1987 and have remained a member in good standing ever since.

I am a candidate for five Local 12 positions: delegate to the AFGE National Convention, delegate to the AFGE District 14 Caucus, delegate to the Metropolitan Washington Council of the AFL-CIO, delegate to the AFGE National Capital Area Council (AFGE Council One), and delegate to the Maryland State & DC Council of the AFL-CIO.

I have held all of these positions in the past and have faithfully represented Local 12 in meetings of these bodies.

From 1987 until my retirement from DOL in 2006, I served in OSHA, then in MSHA, as either a general officer of Local 12 or as a steward.

Please vote for me and also for the following candidates for Local 12 officer positions:

President:  David Casserly

Executive Vice President:  William Lawhorn

Chief Steward:  Elsbeth Hamilton

Treasurer:  Sarah Mattson

Secretary:  Christine Machovec

Assistant Treasurer:  Taylor Barnes

You may email me at dch2020@yahoo.com with any questions about my candidacy.

In solidarity,

David

I’m Rebecca Davis, and I’m running for delegate to the National Capital Area Council (Council 1). I’ve been a proud member of Local 12 since my first day on the job in 2019, and I currently volunteer on our local’s budget committee. Council 1 brings together delegates from AFGE locals across the capital area, every month, to share information, coordinate on common issues, and strengthen our collective voice. As your delegate, I’ll show up, bring local 12’s priorities to the table, and report back to members. I’d be honored to have your vote. 

Peter is running on the For the Good of the Local (FGL) slate as a delegate to the AFL-CIO’s Metropolitan Washington Council and to the AFGE National Capital Area Council 1.  He’s been a member of Local 12 at BLS for 25 years. He attended the 2026 annual gala of the Metro Washington Council (the Evening with Labor awards dinner. He’d support Council 1 in addressing human and civil rights. He’d be honored to represent Local 12 on these Councils.

Peter was recently elected to Local 12’s Audit committee. Years ago Peter helped run labor-management cooperative teams at BLS. One was the Joint Information Technology Committee, and two were under the Quality of Life umbrella: the Great Books group and the International Relations discussion group.  Peter coauthored Local 12’s statement in favor of open-source software. (Possibly that was the first time a union ever took this forward-thinking position.)  Peter works as a research economist, addressing issues such as the effect of AI on productivity. He’s active in the local hub of the Federal Unionists Network, and is helping set up its first annual convention.

I am seeking your support to serve in multiple delegate roles with Local 12. I have been an AFGE member since 2007, a Steward since March 2025, and SOL's Acting AVP since January 2026. In my roles with Local 12, I have represented individual employees in disciplinary matters, represented Local 12 in institutional grievances, participated in reorganization negotiations, conducted agency space allocations, and helped direct the activities of the local as an Executive Board member.

Throughout the years, I have seen first-hand the tremendous protections that AFGE has been able to secure for employees across the Federal Government. The need for these protections comes into sharpest focus when they are threatened. Rather than be distracted by internal disagreements, I believe should channel our energy into activities that strengthen our Local and produce tangible, positive outcomes for our members. I believe we can best do that by leveraging institutional knowledge, building on existing gains, and fostering positive relationships. This is why I am supporting the H.O.M.E. Leadership Team, a slate of incumbent members who have a proven track record of achieving gains for our most vulnerable members and advancing the Local's interests both within the Department and in national venues.

I’m running on the H.O.M.E. Leadership Team slate and am running to remain the Local 12 Secretary, and to become the Local 12 Women’s Coordinator and Local 12 Fair Practices Coordinator.  I believe in building and maintaining a strong union that keeps equal and fair representation of its membership at the forefront of its priorities, its mission, strategies and goals. I also believe in honesty, transparency, accountability and treating every member with dignity and respect. If elected, I will continue to provide compassionate, fair and accurate representation while fighting for our members’ rights and serving the best interests of the entire membership. 

I have been a dedicated member of AFGE Local 12 since 2005, serving as an Executive Vice President, Agency Vice President, Steward, and Acting Fair Practices Coordinator. 

As a disabled Navy Veteran, I decided to continue to serve through employment in the federal government, and currently have 29 years of federal service. While at Department of Labor at Bureau of Labor Statistics and Veterans Employment Training Service (VETS). 

I hold two Master's degrees, one in Management and Leadership and a second in Human Resource Management, and I am a certified professional mediator. With my unwavering dedication, extensive experience, exceptional leadership, and 29 years of federal service, I have worked with AFGE Local 12 since 2005 to protect, advocate, and represent AFGE Local 12 members.

Campaign Website: H.O.M.E. — AFGE Local 12 Leadership Team

Brandon is running on the For the Good of the Local (FGL) slate for Delegate to the AFGE National Convention, AFL-CIO Maryland and DC, National Capital Area Council 1, AFGE District 14 Caucus, and Metropolitan Washington Council AFL CIO. Before joining local 12 Brandon was the Compliance Director for the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 MD, VA, DC. Brandon’s family has the Union’s inspiration in its blood stretching back for generations in the coal mines and factories of Pennsylvania. He brings this to bear in his work as a Wage and Hour Investigator, in his personal life as President of the Flower House tenant union in Takoma Park, and as a proud advocate for Local 12 and its members. The recent assaults on the federal workforce and our hard earned and lawfully bargained rights to security, telework, and more require a robust and militant labor movement to meet this moment. Brandon is excited for the opportunity to fight on behalf of our Local, to restore its fighting spirit, and to secure the dignity of us all as workers and public servants.

Brothers and Sisters:

I am a retired member of Local 12.   I joined when I arrived at DOL in1987 and have remained a member in good standing ever since.

I am a candidate for five Local 12 positions: delegate to the AFGE National Convention, delegate to the AFGE District 14 Caucus, delegate to the Metropolitan Washington Council of the AFL-CIO, delegate to the AFGE National Capital Area Council (AFGE Council One), and delegate to the Maryland State & DC Council of the AFL-CIO.

I have held all of these positions in the past and have faithfully represented Local 12 in meetings of these bodies.

From 1987 until my retirement from DOL in 2006, I served in OSHA, then in MSHA, as either a general officer of Local 12 or as a steward.

Please vote for me and also for the following candidates for Local 12 officer positions:

President:  David Casserly

Executive Vice President:  William Lawhorn

Chief Steward:  Elsbeth Hamilton

Treasurer:  Sarah Mattson

Secretary:  Christine Machovec

Assistant Treasurer:  Taylor Barnes

You may email me at dch2020@yahoo.com with any questions about my candidacy.

In solidarity,

David

Kelsey has been the Acting Head Steward of Local 12 since August of 2025, and is running to serve as Head Steward to continue the fight. Kelsey began at DOL in 2019, and has spent her entire federal career enforcing or helping develop regulations. She has taken these skills to provide strong contract enforcement, representation, and advocacy for Local 12 members.

Growing up in the middle of the Rust Belt, Kelsey has been surrounded by strong unions, both in her home and community, for her entire life. She knows the necessity of unions, the need for strategically fighting workplace rights, the importance of cross-generational collaboration, and the power of one unified voice. She plans to continue with the Local’s ongoing push back on the attack on our members through open communication, collaboration, education, and representation.

Kelsey is proud to run alongside members of H.O.M.E. Helping Our Members Endure. As a group of experienced labor unionists who come from different agencies, backgrounds, and skillsets, our mission is to continue to put our members first. If you are interested in learning more about our mission, priorities, and our slate of candidates, please visit our campaign website: HOME AFGE Local 12 Leadership Team

For LaRhonda D. Gamble, union leadership has never been about a title—it is about people.

A U.S. Air Force veteran, longtime federal employee, and experienced union leader, LaRhonda understands what it means to stand beside members during some of their most difficult moments. She believes members deserve a union that will show up, speak up, tell the truth, and never leave them wondering whether someone is fighting for them.

That belief is the heart of H.O.M.E. — Helping Our Members Endure.

LaRhonda leads with honesty, transparency, accountability, compassion, and courage. She believes members deserve the truth—even when it is difficult—and the knowledge necessary to understand their rights and make informed decisions.

Her labor leadership experience spans individual representation through advocacy for federal workers on national platforms. Yet her purpose remains simple: serve the members.

Every member matters. Every voice deserves respect. Every member deserves fair and equal representation.

Because a union should be more than an organization. It should be H.O.M.E. — Helping Our Members Endure.

Campaign Website: H.O.M.E. — AFGE Local 12 Leadership Team

Sarah is running for Treasurer on the For the Good of the Local (FGL) slate to help Local 12 be a model union for financial stewardship and transparency. We are all the union, and a union's money is its members' money.

Members deserve full, transparent accounting of all finances. 

Members must decide how their money is spent.

Members own the money, not the Executive Board.

Sarah has been fighting for union democracy, in all respects, with a focus on finances. In these challenging times for federal workers, all our resources must be used effectively in the fight.

Sarah joined DOL as an Economist in March 2020 (previously at BLS and now at ETA), and asked to join the union right away. Since then, she has become a steward, a member of multiple committees, and most importantly, a friendly face always looking to get folks more involved in the union. She is proudest of her organizing work when someone she doesn't know yet stops her in the hallway with "Aren't you that union lady? Can you help me with something?"

Learn more about Sarah’s goals as Treasurer and FGL’s platform here: https://sites.google.com/view/forthegoodofthelocal

I am seeking your support to serve in multiple delegate roles with Local 12. I have been an AFGE member since 2007, a Steward since March 2025, and SOL's Acting AVP since January 2026. In my roles with Local 12, I have represented individual employees in disciplinary matters, represented Local 12 in institutional grievances, participated in reorganization negotiations, conducted agency space allocations, and helped direct the activities of the local as an Executive Board member.

Throughout the years, I have seen first-hand the tremendous protections that AFGE has been able to secure for employees across the Federal Government. The need for these protections comes into sharpest focus when they are threatened. Rather than be distracted by internal disagreements, I believe should channel our energy into activities that strengthen our Local and produce tangible, positive outcomes for our members. I believe we can best do that by leveraging institutional knowledge, building on existing gains, and fostering positive relationships. This is why I am supporting the H.O.M.E. Leadership Team, a slate of incumbent members who have a proven track record of achieving gains for our most vulnerable members and advancing the Local's interests both within the Department and in national venues.

Kelsey has been the Acting Head Steward of Local 12 since August of 2025, and is running to serve as Head Steward to continue the fight. Kelsey began at DOL in 2019, and has spent her entire federal career enforcing or helping develop regulations. She has taken these skills to provide strong contract enforcement, representation, and advocacy for Local 12 members.

Growing up in the middle of the Rust Belt, Kelsey has been surrounded by strong unions, both in her home and community, for her entire life. She knows the necessity of unions, the need for strategically fighting workplace rights, the importance of cross-generational collaboration, and the power of one unified voice. She plans to continue with the Local’s ongoing push back on the attack on our members through open communication, collaboration, education, and representation.

Kelsey is proud to run alongside members of H.O.M.E. Helping Our Members Endure. As a group of experienced labor unionists who come from different agencies, backgrounds, and skillsets, our mission is to continue to put our members first. If you are interested in learning more about our mission, priorities, and our slate of candidates, please visit our campaign website: HOME AFGE Local 12 Leadership Team

I am running on the For the Good of the Local (FGL) slate [link.https://sites.google.com/view/forthegoodofthelocal]  as a delegate to the AFGE District 14 Caucus, the AFL-CIO of Maryland and DC, and to the AFGE National Convention. I recently retired from DOL after 18 years as an attorney in the Fair Labor Standards Division of the Office of the Solicitor (SOL). I served the members of Local 12 as Agency Vice-President for SOL from 2009 to 2020, then as Head Steward from 2020-2021. I also helped lead the union out of trusteeship in 2018, and co-chaired the union bargaining team which successfully fought to protect our worker rights while negotiating a collective bargaining agreement with the first Trump administration, including litigation before the Federal Service Impasse panel, and represented Local 12 as a National Convention Delegate to the 2018 and 2022 Conventions. Prior to DOL, I worked as an attorney for National AFGE, as well as other labor unions including AFSCME and the UMWA. Along with other members of the FGL slate, I will press for increased union transparency, more member participation and democracy, and to return Local 12 to its roots as an activist, fighting union. 

Brandon is running on the For the Good of the Local (FGL) slate for Delegate to the AFGE National Convention, AFL-CIO Maryland and DC, National Capital Area Council 1, AFGE District 14 Caucus, and Metropolitan Washington Council AFL CIO. Before joining local 12 Brandon was the Compliance Director for the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 MD, VA, DC. Brandon’s family has the Union’s inspiration in its blood stretching back for generations in the coal mines and factories of Pennsylvania. He brings this to bear in his work as a Wage and Hour Investigator, in his personal life as President of the Flower House tenant union in Takoma Park, and as a proud advocate for Local 12 and its members. The recent assaults on the federal workforce and our hard earned and lawfully bargained rights to security, telework, and more require a robust and militant labor movement to meet this moment. Brandon is excited for the opportunity to fight on behalf of our Local, to restore its fighting spirit, and to secure the dignity of us all as workers and public servants.

Elsbeth is running for Head Steward with For the Good of the Local (FGL). She has forever been union-strong, as her grandfather was a longtime shop steward for United Auto Workers (UAW) in Racine, Wisconsin.

Elsbeth currently serves Local 12 as a steward at her home agency, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and has been an active member since September 2024. She recently attended the AFGE Leadership Summit representing Local 12 to assist in strategic planning for the next five years of National AFGE. While there, she heard stories from other locals about the importance of connection and working together to enact change under the current administration.

Have you ever wondered “Why are we so disconnected? What can I do about it? How do we make the union work for us?” Elsbeth wants to work on that.

One of her goals is to establish active standing committees and foster stronger connections across the Department of Labor— we are stronger together. She plans to create a YOUNG group within Local 12 to encourage union membership for bargaining unit employees under 40. 

For more information about Elsbeth and her fellow FGL slate members, visit: https://sites.google.com/view/forthegoodofthelocal

I’m running on the H.O.M.E. Leadership Team slate and am running to remain the Local 12 Secretary, and to become the Local 12 Women’s Coordinator and Local 12 Fair Practices Coordinator.  I believe in building and maintaining a strong union that keeps equal and fair representation of its membership at the forefront of its priorities, its mission, strategies and goals. I also believe in honesty, transparency, accountability and treating every member with dignity and respect. If elected, I will continue to provide compassionate, fair and accurate representation while fighting for our members’ rights and serving the best interests of the entire membership. 

I am seeking your support to continue serving Local 12 as Treasurer. My commitment to our union has never been about a title—it is about service, integrity, accountability, and making a difference for our members.

My union journey began as a Steward, and I later served as Agency Vice President. I was previously elected by the membership to serve as Treasurer and currently continue serving Local 12 as Acting Treasurer. Throughout my union service, I have represented employees in grievances, negotiations, bargaining, reasonable accommodations, and other workplace matters. I also led a successful group grievance that resulted in affected employees being made whole.

Since retiring from federal service in 2024, I have remained actively committed to Local 12, including performing my current responsibilities as Acting Treasurer without compensation. I bring financial officer and EEO I/II training, extensive leadership experience, and a doctorate in Organizational Leadership.

As Treasurer, I will continue emphasizing financial stewardship, transparency, accurate reporting, compliance, and accountability to our membership.

Leadership is demonstrated through service. I am prepared to continue serving Local 12 with experience, dedication, integrity, and commitment.

Christine is the daughter of two career federal workers, one of them a veteran, and the granddaughter of a veteran and public servant. She joined Local 12 the day after the 2024 Presidential Election to join her union siblings in their resistance to the injustices and elimination of federal workers’ life’s work.

Christine looks forward to ensuring all members have access to the Local’s governing documents, as well as information like how to file a grievance, how to join, etc. She plans to send meeting minutes in a timely manner following general membership meetings, send members meeting packet(s) more than one business day in advance for review and revision, and participate in constructive communication with members seeking information and assistance. Additionally, Christine vows never to utilize AI-generated content instead of graphic design crafted with a human’s touch.

For more information on Christine’s background and other candidates running For the Good of the Local (FGL), visit https://sites.google.com/view/forthegoodofthelocal.

Brothers and Sisters:

I am a retired member of Local 12.   I joined when I arrived at DOL in1987 and have remained a member in good standing ever since.

I am a candidate for five Local 12 positions: delegate to the AFGE National Convention, delegate to the AFGE District 14 Caucus, delegate to the Metropolitan Washington Council of the AFL-CIO, delegate to the AFGE National Capital Area Council (AFGE Council One), and delegate to the Maryland State & DC Council of the AFL-CIO.

I have held all of these positions in the past and have faithfully represented Local 12 in meetings of these bodies.

From 1987 until my retirement from DOL in 2006, I served in OSHA, then in MSHA, as either a general officer of Local 12 or as a steward.

Please vote for me and also for the following candidates for Local 12 officer positions:

President:  David Casserly

Executive Vice President:  William Lawhorn

Chief Steward:  Elsbeth Hamilton

Treasurer:  Sarah Mattson

Secretary:  Christine Machovec

Assistant Treasurer:  Taylor Barnes

You may email me at dch2020@yahoo.com with any questions about my candidacy.

In solidarity,

David

I have been a dedicated member of AFGE Local 12 since 2005, serving as an Executive Vice President, Agency Vice President, Steward, and Acting Fair Practices Coordinator. 

As a disabled Navy Veteran, I decided to continue to serve through employment in the federal government, and currently have 29 years of federal service. While at Department of Labor at Bureau of Labor Statistics and Veterans Employment Training Service (VETS). 

I hold two Master's degrees, one in Management and Leadership and a second in Human Resource Management, and I am a certified professional mediator. With my unwavering dedication, extensive experience, exceptional leadership, and 29 years of federal service, I have worked with AFGE Local 12 since 2005 to protect, advocate, and represent AFGE Local 12 members.

Campaign Website: H.O.M.E. — AFGE Local 12 Leadership Team

Chelsea is running on the For the Good of the Local (FGL) slate as delegate to AFL-CIO of Maryland and DC and delegate to Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO. She has worked in the labor movement for 11 years – before DOL, she worked for a union campaign organization and at an international labor rights NGO. She served as a union officer at two of her previous jobs, where she led members in developing campaigning and bargaining tactics to secure better wages and working conditions. At DOL, she submitted a form to join Local 12 the first week on the job. As a Local 12 member, she has worked hard with other FGL members to press for increased union transparency, greater member participation, and a more active union – one that pushes harder to win on issues members care about, like having telework and reversing DOL’s/OPM’s bogus “grading on a curve” performance evaluation overhaul. As a delegate, she would prioritize building stronger solidarity with other federal and private sector unions, so that we can work together to win back respect for our rights and better working conditions. More on FGL’s website: https://sites.google.com/view/forthegoodofthelocal

I have been a dedicated member of AFGE Local 12 since 2005, serving as an Executive Vice President, Agency Vice President, Steward, and Acting Fair Practices Coordinator. 

As a disabled Navy Veteran, I decided to continue to serve through employment in the federal government, and currently have 29 years of federal service. While at Department of Labor at Bureau of Labor Statistics and Veterans Employment Training Service (VETS). 

I hold two Master's degrees, one in Management and Leadership and a second in Human Resource Management, and I am a certified professional mediator. With my unwavering dedication, extensive experience, exceptional leadership, and 29 years of federal service, I have worked with AFGE Local 12 since 2005 to protect, advocate, and represent AFGE Local 12 members.

Campaign Website: H.O.M.E. — AFGE Local 12 Leadership Team

Brothers and Sisters:

I am a retired member of Local 12.   I joined when I arrived at DOL in1987 and have remained a member in good standing ever since.

I am a candidate for five Local 12 positions: delegate to the AFGE National Convention, delegate to the AFGE District 14 Caucus, delegate to the Metropolitan Washington Council of the AFL-CIO, delegate to the AFGE National Capital Area Council (AFGE Council One), and delegate to the Maryland State & DC Council of the AFL-CIO.

I have held all of these positions in the past and have faithfully represented Local 12 in meetings of these bodies.

From 1987 until my retirement from DOL in 2006, I served in OSHA, then in MSHA, as either a general officer of Local 12 or as a steward.

Please vote for me and also for the following candidates for Local 12 officer positions:

President:  David Casserly

Executive Vice President:  William Lawhorn

Chief Steward:  Elsbeth Hamilton

Treasurer:  Sarah Mattson

Secretary:  Christine Machovec

Assistant Treasurer:  Taylor Barnes

You may email me at dch2020@yahoo.com with any questions about my candidacy.

In solidarity,

David

I am seeking your support to serve in multiple delegate roles with Local 12. I have been an AFGE member since 2007, a Steward since March 2025, and SOL's Acting AVP since January 2026. In my roles with Local 12, I have represented individual employees in disciplinary matters, represented Local 12 in institutional grievances, participated in reorganization negotiations, conducted agency space allocations, and helped direct the activities of the local as an Executive Board member.

Throughout the years, I have seen first-hand the tremendous protections that AFGE has been able to secure for employees across the Federal Government. The need for these protections comes into sharpest focus when they are threatened. Rather than be distracted by internal disagreements, I believe should channel our energy into activities that strengthen our Local and produce tangible, positive outcomes for our members. I believe we can best do that by leveraging institutional knowledge, building on existing gains, and fostering positive relationships. This is why I am supporting the H.O.M.E. Leadership Team, a slate of incumbent members who have a proven track record of achieving gains for our most vulnerable members and advancing the Local's interests both within the Department and in national venues.

I am running on the For the Good of the Local (FGL) slate [link.https://sites.google.com/view/forthegoodofthelocal]  as a delegate to the AFGE District 14 Caucus, the AFL-CIO of Maryland and DC, and to the AFGE National Convention. I recently retired from DOL after 18 years as an attorney in the Fair Labor Standards Division of the Office of the Solicitor (SOL). I served the members of Local 12 as Agency Vice-President for SOL from 2009 to 2020, then as Head Steward from 2020-2021. I also helped lead the union out of trusteeship in 2018, and co-chaired the union bargaining team which successfully fought to protect our worker rights while negotiating a collective bargaining agreement with the first Trump administration, including litigation before the Federal Service Impasse panel, and represented Local 12 as a National Convention Delegate to the 2018 and 2022 Conventions. Prior to DOL, I worked as an attorney for National AFGE, as well as other labor unions including AFSCME and the UMWA. Along with other members of the FGL slate, I will press for increased union transparency, more member participation and democracy, and to return Local 12 to its roots as an activist, fighting union. 

Christine is the daughter of two career federal workers, one of them a veteran, and the granddaughter of a veteran and public servant. She joined Local 12 the day after the 2024 Presidential Election to join her union siblings in their resistance to the injustices and elimination of federal workers’ life’s work.

Christine looks forward to ensuring all members have access to the Local’s governing documents, as well as information like how to file a grievance, how to join, etc. She plans to send meeting minutes in a timely manner following general membership meetings, send members meeting packet(s) more than one business day in advance for review and revision, and participate in constructive communication with members seeking information and assistance. Additionally, Christine vows never to utilize AI-generated content instead of graphic design crafted with a human’s touch.

For more information on Christine’s background and other candidates running For the Good of the Local (FGL), visit https://sites.google.com/view/forthegoodofthelocal.

Brandon is running on the For the Good of the Local (FGL) slate for Delegate to the AFGE National Convention, AFL-CIO Maryland and DC, National Capital Area Council 1, AFGE District 14 Caucus, and Metropolitan Washington Council AFL CIO. Before joining local 12 Brandon was the Compliance Director for the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 MD, VA, DC. Brandon’s family has the Union’s inspiration in its blood stretching back for generations in the coal mines and factories of Pennsylvania. He brings this to bear in his work as a Wage and Hour Investigator, in his personal life as President of the Flower House tenant union in Takoma Park, and as a proud advocate for Local 12 and its members. The recent assaults on the federal workforce and our hard earned and lawfully bargained rights to security, telework, and more require a robust and militant labor movement to meet this moment. Brandon is excited for the opportunity to fight on behalf of our Local, to restore its fighting spirit, and to secure the dignity of us all as workers and public servants.

I have been a dedicated member of AFGE Local 12 since 2005, serving as an Executive Vice President, Agency Vice President, Steward, and Acting Fair Practices Coordinator. 

As a disabled Navy Veteran, I decided to continue to serve through employment in the federal government, and currently have 29 years of federal service. While at Department of Labor at Bureau of Labor Statistics and Veterans Employment Training Service (VETS). 

I hold two Master's degrees, one in Management and Leadership and a second in Human Resource Management, and I am a certified professional mediator. With my unwavering dedication, extensive experience, exceptional leadership, and 29 years of federal service, I have worked with AFGE Local 12 since 2005 to protect, advocate, and represent AFGE Local 12 members.

Campaign Website: H.O.M.E. — AFGE Local 12 Leadership Team

Elsbeth is running for Head Steward with For the Good of the Local (FGL). She has forever been union-strong, as her grandfather was a longtime shop steward for United Auto Workers (UAW) in Racine, Wisconsin.

Elsbeth currently serves Local 12 as a steward at her home agency, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and has been an active member since September 2024. She recently attended the AFGE Leadership Summit representing Local 12 to assist in strategic planning for the next five years of National AFGE. While there, she heard stories from other locals about the importance of connection and working together to enact change under the current administration.

Have you ever wondered “Why are we so disconnected? What can I do about it? How do we make the union work for us?” Elsbeth wants to work on that.

One of her goals is to establish active standing committees and foster stronger connections across the Department of Labor— we are stronger together. She plans to create a YOUNG group within Local 12 to encourage union membership for bargaining unit employees under 40. 

For more information about Elsbeth and her fellow FGL slate members, visit: https://sites.google.com/view/forthegoodofthelocal

Kelsey has been the Acting Head Steward of Local 12 since August of 2025, and is running to serve as Head Steward to continue the fight. Kelsey began at DOL in 2019, and has spent her entire federal career enforcing or helping develop regulations. She has taken these skills to provide strong contract enforcement, representation, and advocacy for Local 12 members.

Growing up in the middle of the Rust Belt, Kelsey has been surrounded by strong unions, both in her home and community, for her entire life. She knows the necessity of unions, the need for strategically fighting workplace rights, the importance of cross-generational collaboration, and the power of one unified voice. She plans to continue with the Local’s ongoing push back on the attack on our members through open communication, collaboration, education, and representation.

Kelsey is proud to run alongside members of H.O.M.E. Helping Our Members Endure. As a group of experienced labor unionists who come from different agencies, backgrounds, and skillsets, our mission is to continue to put our members first. If you are interested in learning more about our mission, priorities, and our slate of candidates, please visit our campaign website: HOME AFGE Local 12 Leadership Team

Peter is running on the For the Good of the Local (FGL) slate as a delegate to the AFL-CIO’s Metropolitan Washington Council and to the AFGE National Capital Area Council 1.  He’s been a member of Local 12 at BLS for 25 years. He attended the 2026 annual gala of the Metro Washington Council (the Evening with Labor awards dinner. He’d support Council 1 in addressing human and civil rights. He’d be honored to represent Local 12 on these Councils.

Peter was recently elected to Local 12’s Audit committee. Years ago Peter helped run labor-management cooperative teams at BLS. One was the Joint Information Technology Committee, and two were under the Quality of Life umbrella: the Great Books group and the International Relations discussion group.  Peter coauthored Local 12’s statement in favor of open-source software. (Possibly that was the first time a union ever took this forward-thinking position.)  Peter works as a research economist, addressing issues such as the effect of AI on productivity. He’s active in the local hub of the Federal Unionists Network, and is helping set up its first annual convention.

Brothers and Sisters:

I am a retired member of Local 12.   I joined when I arrived at DOL in1987 and have remained a member in good standing ever since.

I am a candidate for five Local 12 positions: delegate to the AFGE National Convention, delegate to the AFGE District 14 Caucus, delegate to the Metropolitan Washington Council of the AFL-CIO, delegate to the AFGE National Capital Area Council (AFGE Council One), and delegate to the Maryland State & DC Council of the AFL-CIO.

I have held all of these positions in the past and have faithfully represented Local 12 in meetings of these bodies.

From 1987 until my retirement from DOL in 2006, I served in OSHA, then in MSHA, as either a general officer of Local 12 or as a steward.

Please vote for me and also for the following candidates for Local 12 officer positions:

President:  David Casserly

Executive Vice President:  William Lawhorn

Chief Steward:  Elsbeth Hamilton

Treasurer:  Sarah Mattson

Secretary:  Christine Machovec

Assistant Treasurer:  Taylor Barnes

You may email me at dch2020@yahoo.com with any questions about my candidacy.

In solidarity,

David

I have been a dedicated member of AFGE Local 12 since 2005, serving as an Executive Vice President, Agency Vice President, Steward, and Acting Fair Practices Coordinator. 

As a disabled Navy Veteran, I decided to continue to serve through employment in the federal government, and currently have 29 years of federal service. While at Department of Labor at Bureau of Labor Statistics and Veterans Employment Training Service (VETS). 

I hold two Master's degrees, one in Management and Leadership and a second in Human Resource Management, and I am a certified professional mediator. With my unwavering dedication, extensive experience, exceptional leadership, and 29 years of federal service, I have worked with AFGE Local 12 since 2005 to protect, advocate, and represent AFGE Local 12 members.

Campaign Website: H.O.M.E. — AFGE Local 12 Leadership Team

I am seeking your support to serve in multiple delegate roles with Local 12. I have been an AFGE member since 2007, a Steward since March 2025, and SOL's Acting AVP since January 2026. In my roles with Local 12, I have represented individual employees in disciplinary matters, represented Local 12 in institutional grievances, participated in reorganization negotiations, conducted agency space allocations, and helped direct the activities of the local as an Executive Board member.

Throughout the years, I have seen first-hand the tremendous protections that AFGE has been able to secure for employees across the Federal Government. The need for these protections comes into sharpest focus when they are threatened. Rather than be distracted by internal disagreements, I believe should channel our energy into activities that strengthen our Local and produce tangible, positive outcomes for our members. I believe we can best do that by leveraging institutional knowledge, building on existing gains, and fostering positive relationships. This is why I am supporting the H.O.M.E. Leadership Team, a slate of incumbent members who have a proven track record of achieving gains for our most vulnerable members and advancing the Local's interests both within the Department and in national venues.

Chelsea is running on the For the Good of the Local (FGL) slate as delegate to AFL-CIO of Maryland and DC and delegate to Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO. She has worked in the labor movement for 11 years – before DOL, she worked for a union campaign organization and at an international labor rights NGO. She served as a union officer at two of her previous jobs, where she led members in developing campaigning and bargaining tactics to secure better wages and working conditions. At DOL, she submitted a form to join Local 12 the first week on the job. As a Local 12 member, she has worked hard with other FGL members to press for increased union transparency, greater member participation, and a more active union – one that pushes harder to win on issues members care about, like having telework and reversing DOL’s/OPM’s bogus “grading on a curve” performance evaluation overhaul. As a delegate, she would prioritize building stronger solidarity with other federal and private sector unions, so that we can work together to win back respect for our rights and better working conditions. More on FGL’s website: https://sites.google.com/view/forthegoodofthelocal

Brandon is running on the For the Good of the Local (FGL) slate for Delegate to the AFGE National Convention, AFL-CIO Maryland and DC, National Capital Area Council 1, AFGE District 14 Caucus, and Metropolitan Washington Council AFL CIO. Before joining local 12 Brandon was the Compliance Director for the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 MD, VA, DC. Brandon’s family has the Union’s inspiration in its blood stretching back for generations in the coal mines and factories of Pennsylvania. He brings this to bear in his work as a Wage and Hour Investigator, in his personal life as President of the Flower House tenant union in Takoma Park, and as a proud advocate for Local 12 and its members. The recent assaults on the federal workforce and our hard earned and lawfully bargained rights to security, telework, and more require a robust and militant labor movement to meet this moment. Brandon is excited for the opportunity to fight on behalf of our Local, to restore its fighting spirit, and to secure the dignity of us all as workers and public servants.

Kelsey has been the Acting Head Steward of Local 12 since August of 2025, and is running to serve as Head Steward to continue the fight. Kelsey began at DOL in 2019, and has spent her entire federal career enforcing or helping develop regulations. She has taken these skills to provide strong contract enforcement, representation, and advocacy for Local 12 members.

Growing up in the middle of the Rust Belt, Kelsey has been surrounded by strong unions, both in her home and community, for her entire life. She knows the necessity of unions, the need for strategically fighting workplace rights, the importance of cross-generational collaboration, and the power of one unified voice. She plans to continue with the Local’s ongoing push back on the attack on our members through open communication, collaboration, education, and representation.

Kelsey is proud to run alongside members of H.O.M.E. Helping Our Members Endure. As a group of experienced labor unionists who come from different agencies, backgrounds, and skillsets, our mission is to continue to put our members first. If you are interested in learning more about our mission, priorities, and our slate of candidates, please visit our campaign website: HOME AFGE Local 12 Leadership Team

I’m running on the H.O.M.E. Leadership Team slate and am running to remain the Local 12 Secretary, and to become the Local 12 Women’s Coordinator and Local 12 Fair Practices Coordinator.  I believe in building and maintaining a strong union that keeps equal and fair representation of its membership at the forefront of its priorities, its mission, strategies and goals. I also believe in honesty, transparency, accountability and treating every member with dignity and respect. If elected, I will continue to provide compassionate, fair and accurate representation while fighting for our members’ rights and serving the best interests of the entire membership. 

Elsbeth is running for Head Steward with For the Good of the Local (FGL). She has forever been union-strong, as her grandfather was a longtime shop steward for United Auto Workers (UAW) in Racine, Wisconsin.

Elsbeth currently serves Local 12 as a steward at her home agency, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and has been an active member since September 2024. She recently attended the AFGE Leadership Summit representing Local 12 to assist in strategic planning for the next five years of National AFGE. While there, she heard stories from other locals about the importance of connection and working together to enact change under the current administration.

Have you ever wondered “Why are we so disconnected? What can I do about it? How do we make the union work for us?” Elsbeth wants to work on that.

One of her goals is to establish active standing committees and foster stronger connections across the Department of Labor— we are stronger together. She plans to create a YOUNG group within Local 12 to encourage union membership for bargaining unit employees under 40. 

For more information about Elsbeth and her fellow FGL slate members, visit: https://sites.google.com/view/forthegoodofthelocal

For LaRhonda D. Gamble, union leadership has never been about a title—it is about people.

A U.S. Air Force veteran, longtime federal employee, and experienced union leader, LaRhonda understands what it means to stand beside members during some of their most difficult moments. She believes members deserve a union that will show up, speak up, tell the truth, and never leave them wondering whether someone is fighting for them.

That belief is the heart of H.O.M.E. — Helping Our Members Endure.

LaRhonda leads with honesty, transparency, accountability, compassion, and courage. She believes members deserve the truth—even when it is difficult—and the knowledge necessary to understand their rights and make informed decisions.

Her labor leadership experience spans individual representation through advocacy for federal workers on national platforms. Yet her purpose remains simple: serve the members.

Every member matters. Every voice deserves respect. Every member deserves fair and equal representation.

Because a union should be more than an organization. It should be H.O.M.E. — Helping Our Members Endure.

Campaign Website: H.O.M.E. — AFGE Local 12 Leadership Team

I have been a dedicated member of AFGE Local 12 since 2005, serving as an Executive Vice President, Agency Vice President, Steward, and Acting Fair Practices Coordinator. 

As a disabled Navy Veteran, I decided to continue to serve through employment in the federal government, and currently have 29 years of federal service. While at Department of Labor at Bureau of Labor Statistics and Veterans Employment Training Service (VETS). 

I hold two Master's degrees, one in Management and Leadership and a second in Human Resource Management, and I am a certified professional mediator. With my unwavering dedication, extensive experience, exceptional leadership, and 29 years of federal service, I have worked with AFGE Local 12 since 2005 to protect, advocate, and represent AFGE Local 12 members.

Campaign Website: H.O.M.E. — AFGE Local 12 Leadership Team

I’m running on the H.O.M.E. Leadership Team slate and am running to remain the Local 12 Secretary, and to become the Local 12 Women’s Coordinator and Local 12 Fair Practices Coordinator.  I believe in building and maintaining a strong union that keeps equal and fair representation of its membership at the forefront of its priorities, its mission, strategies and goals. I also believe in honesty, transparency, accountability and treating every member with dignity and respect. If elected, I will continue to provide compassionate, fair and accurate representation while fighting for our members’ rights and serving the best interests of the entire membership. 

Kelsey has been the Acting Head Steward of Local 12 since August of 2025, and is running to serve as Head Steward to continue the fight. Kelsey began at DOL in 2019, and has spent her entire federal career enforcing or helping develop regulations. She has taken these skills to provide strong contract enforcement, representation, and advocacy for Local 12 members.

Growing up in the middle of the Rust Belt, Kelsey has been surrounded by strong unions, both in her home and community, for her entire life. She knows the necessity of unions, the need for strategically fighting workplace rights, the importance of cross-generational collaboration, and the power of one unified voice. She plans to continue with the Local’s ongoing push back on the attack on our members through open communication, collaboration, education, and representation.

Kelsey is proud to run alongside members of H.O.M.E. Helping Our Members Endure. As a group of experienced labor unionists who come from different agencies, backgrounds, and skillsets, our mission is to continue to put our members first. If you are interested in learning more about our mission, priorities, and our slate of candidates, please visit our campaign website: HOME AFGE Local 12 Leadership Team

I am seeking your support to serve in multiple delegate roles with Local 12. I have been an AFGE member since 2007, a Steward since March 2025, and SOL's Acting AVP since January 2026. In my roles with Local 12, I have represented individual employees in disciplinary matters, represented Local 12 in institutional grievances, participated in reorganization negotiations, conducted agency space allocations, and helped direct the activities of the local as an Executive Board member.

Throughout the years, I have seen first-hand the tremendous protections that AFGE has been able to secure for employees across the Federal Government. The need for these protections comes into sharpest focus when they are threatened. Rather than be distracted by internal disagreements, I believe should channel our energy into activities that strengthen our Local and produce tangible, positive outcomes for our members. I believe we can best do that by leveraging institutional knowledge, building on existing gains, and fostering positive relationships. This is why I am supporting the H.O.M.E. Leadership Team, a slate of incumbent members who have a proven track record of achieving gains for our most vulnerable members and advancing the Local's interests both within the Department and in national venues.