More than two decades as a branch president and almost 10 years as a Regional Administrative Assistant helped set the stage for Ernie Kirkland’s election by acclamation as NALC’s Director of Retired Members at the 2006 Las Vegas Convention.

“I have always been concerned for those who needed help, and unionism was a natural way to lend a hand when I saw workers not being given their rights in the workplace,” he explains. “I felt the union could—and should—do more.”

The longtime member of Central Kentucky Bluegrass Branch 361 was first elected president of that branch in 1978. Kirkland was appointed part-time RAA for
K-I-M Region 6 in 1996 and he said goodbye to branch leadership in 2000 when President Vincent R. Sombrotto made him a full-time RAA. He held that post until his election as head of the union’s Retired Members department.

Kirkland hopes to keep the NALC responsive to the needs of its members, especially its retired carriers. “We were elected for that reason,” he said, “and ensuring the rights of our members should be our daily goal.”

Kirkland, who has a degree in business accounting from Kentucky Junior College of Business, has two adult daughters and three grandchildren.