6/17/08: NTEU National President Colleen Kelley described as timely and necessary legislation introduced today by Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) that would boost to 70 cents per mile the reimbursement rate for the personal use of a vehicle for business reasons. The current rate set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is 50 ½ cents per mile.

6/6/05: On June 5, 2008, the House passed S. Con Res. 70, the FY 2009 final budget conference agreement with pay parity language intact. The House had included the NTEU-backed pay parity language in its version of the bill; however, the Senate had not included it. At NTEU’s urging, the final package included pay parity and has now been passed by the House and Senate.

6/4/08: Yesterday afternoon, the U.S. House of Representatives passed on a voice vote HR 4106, the Telework Improvements Act of 2007, sponsored by Representative Danny Davis (D-IL). This legislation largely follows recommendations NTEU made in congressional testimony last November.

5/30/08: NTEU today called on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to establish regulations that guard against arbitrary management decisions leading to discrimination based on age under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), particularly in alternative pay systems.

3/25/08: Last week, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley wrote to every member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel in support of a higher pay raise than the administration proposed. To see a copy of one of these letters, click here, Kelley Letter.

March 2008: This year being what it is, now is a good time for SEC employees to refresh their understanding of the restrictions on political activities contained in the Hatch Act.

In 1939, the enactment of the Hatch Act was hailed as a critical step toward cleaning up government and ending political patronage. Its goal was to ensure a qualified, stable workforce free from coercion and the constant threat of job loss for no reason. Since that time, the federal workplace has changed a great deal and in 1993, the Hatch Act was reformed to reflect these changes.

March 2008:

Telework Bill

On March 13, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform approved HR 4106, the Telework Improvements Act of 2007, sponsored by Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL). This legislation largely follows recommendations NTEU made in congressional testimony last November.

Legislative NewsMarch 2008: In early March, NTEU leaders from chapters and agencies across the nation assembled to bring the voice of federal workers to Capitol Hill. The conference was a tremendous success. From Maine to California, members of Congress heard directly from NTEU leaders on representational issues of importance to federal employees. From these meetings, members of Congress agreed to cosponsor important pro-federal employee legislation, agreed to work with NTEU on federal employee issues, and pledged to vote against legislation that would cut back on retirement and health insurance.

Senator James Webb (D-VA) and Representative John Sarbanes (D-MD) spoke at the conference to outline potential congressional action on federal employee pay, retirement, health care, and labor rights. During the week, hundreds of NTEU members and DHS Secretary

March 2008: On March 13, the House of Representatives approved a budget resolution that includes language to provide pay parity for federal civilian and military employees in fiscal 2009, as well as significant funds to reduce the backlog of disability determination cases at the Social Security Administration (SSA). The language — which does not set a figure for the salary increase but calls for equal amounts for both groups — was applauded by NTEU National President Colleen Kelley.

3/7/08: It is time for the United States to catch up with the rest of the world by offering paid parental leave, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley told House members yesterday.

“Wouldn’t it be nice,” said Kelley, “if the federal government—once thought of as pioneering and innovative in its personnel programs—was at the forefront of this growing movement?”

3/5/08: Solemn tribute was paid last night to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. At the annual Vigil of Lights, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley was joined by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff, CBP Commissioner W. Ralph Basham and U.S. Rep. Chris Carney (D-Pa.).

3/5/08: Federal employees understand issues of government “in a way that only those so close to the epicenter can,” NTEU National President Colleen Kelley told the opening session of the union’s annual legislative conference today.

President Kelley called on the more than 300 NTEU members here for the three-day lobbying program to raise their voices both on Capitol Hill and when they return home in a determined effort to help shape their futures and that of their country.

2/5/08: Yesterday, President Bush submitted his budget proposal to Congress, which will now begin the processing of making appropriations for FY 2009. The budget proposes a 2.9 percent pay raise for federal civilian employees. NTEU believes that this pay proposal is insufficient to stop the loss of skilled, experienced and dedicated employees from a wide range of federal agencies in the coming years. The proposed budget would do nothing to close the 23 percent pay gap between federal and private sector workers.

2/4/08: The administration’s proposal for a 2.9 percent pay raise in 2009 for federal civilian employees will accelerate sharply the loss of skilled, experienced and dedicated employees from a wide range of federal agencies in coming years, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley said today. She called for a raise of 3.9 percent next year for both civilian employees and members of the military.

2/1/08: NTEU National President Colleen Kelley this week welcomed a bipartisan letter from key Washington area members of the House of Representatives—led by Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.)—to President Bush calling for a continuation of the long tradition of civilian-military parity in federal pay increases. The White House’s 2009 budget blueprint, containing federal pay proposals, will be made public next week.

1/29/08: The second version of the Defense Authorization bill was sent to the President last week, with revisions made regarding lawsuits involving Iraq. Included in the bill is a new provision that extends from 12 weeks to 26 weeks the amount of leave a family member can take to care for an injured veteran. It also expands the definition of who is eligible for such leave by including “next of kin” or nearest blood relative.

1/17/08: NTEU's 2008 Legislative Conference will be held Monday, March 3, 2008 through Thursday, March 6, 2008, at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel at 480 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W., in Washington, DC.

1/7/08: On Friday, President Bush signed an executive order implementing the federal employee pay raise for 2008 that was included in the omnibus spending bill for FY 2008.

The executive order specifies how the average 3.5% pay raise will be divided between base and locality pay. Under the executive order, 2.5 percent of the increase will be distributed through base pay, and 1 percent through locality pay.

12/28/07: In a number of important ways, the president’s signature this week on the fiscal 2008 omnibus appropriations bill represents a major victory for federal workers and the federal government’s ability to attract and retain talented, experienced workers, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley recently noted.

12/19/07: With final House action pending that will send the fiscal 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill to the White House for the president’s signature, NTEU will secure major legislative goals, including a 3.5 percent pay raise for federal civilian employees and government-wide restrictions that will result in a more level playing field for federal workers in the battle for federal work.

“This important measure will assure continuity of government operations and contain a number of provisions impacting federal workers in positive ways,” said NTEU National President Colleen Kelley.

12/18/07: While applauding Senate approval of S. 274 — whistleblower rights legislation — NTEU National President Colleen Kelley today called on House and Senate members to agree on a final measure incorporating the more expansive protective provisions for whistleblowers contained in House-passed legislation earlier this year. “I am very pleased by Senate approval of a measure on this vital subject,” she said.

12/17/07: Early this morning the details of the comprehensive omnibus appropriations package for fiscal year 2008 became available. Included in the omnibus bill is the 3.5 percent federal employee pay raise and language to reform the A-76 contracting out process. The package will be considered as part of H.R. 2764, as early as tomorrow in the House of Representatives.

12/17/07: A continuing resolution, funding critical government programs and services, without interruption, through Friday, Dec. 21, was approved by Congress and signed by the President Friday.

Congressional leaders plan to wrap the eleven outstanding funding bills into an omnibus package this week.

NTEU is optimistic that any fiscal 2008 omnibus bill will include a bipartisan-supported 3.5 percent pay increase. NTEU also is closely monitoring proposed legislation to ensure adequate agency funding.

Throughout the appropriations process, NTEU will keep you updated on our efforts.

12/14/07: As you know, most agencies of the federal government have been running on a Continuing Resolution (CR) since September 30, 2007, the end of the fiscal year. Last night Congress passed another CR to extend agency funding through December 21, 2007. This legislation has now been sent to the President for his signature. If the President signs the CR into law before the end of the week, there will be no government shutdown before December 21st.

11/29/07: The alternative pay plan issued by the White House this week calling for an average 3 percent federal pay raise for federal civilian employees in 2008 is disappointing and a disservice to the talented, dedicated and experienced federal employees who serve the public every day, said NTEU National President Colleen Kelley.