Bobby L. Harnage
Bobby Lamar Harnage (October 2, 1939 – July 14, 2025) was an American labor union leader.[1]
Life and career
[edit]Harnage was born in Lakeland, Florida, and grew up in Moultrie, Georgia.[2] He attended Macon College and the University of Georgia. He served in the United States Air Force from 1959, then from 1963 was a civilian employee at Robins Air Force Base. He joined the American Federation of Government Employees, and in 1968 began working full-time for the union. He served as a district national representative, then as a vice-president.[3][4]
In 1991, Harnage was elected as secretary-treasurer of the union, then in 1997 as president. The following year he was also elected as a vice-president of the AFL-CIO. As leader of the union, he increased membership, began using the internet to co-ordinate activities, and led an advertising campaign for recruitment. In 2003, he was narrowly defeated for re-election by John Gage, and he stood down from his AFL-CIO post the following year.[3][5][6]
Harnage died at his home in Moultrie on July 14, 2025, at the age of 85.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Bobby Lamar Harnage". Cobb Funeral Chapel. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ↑ "Oral history of Bobby Harnage". Digital Library of Georgia. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- 1 2 "Vice President Bobby L. Harnage, Sr". AFL-CIO. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
- ↑ Barr, Stephen (February 23, 1998). "New Union President Talks Tough On Pay Issues, Clinton Policies". Washington Post.
- ↑ Lee, Christopher (August 22, 2003). "Challenger Ousts AFGE Leader: Harnage Defeated at Government Workers' Convention". Washington Post.
- ↑ "Moultrian to run for president of union". Moultrie Observer. May 27, 2006.