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?”