7/30/08: NTEU National President Colleen Kelley today offered her strong support for a legislative proposal which would be a major step forward in fairness for a substantial number of federal workers over the manner in which unused sick leave is treated for pension purposes.

President Kelley said the provision in H.R. 1108 would permit employees covered under the newer Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to count accrued but unused sick leave toward their pensions.

7/8/08: Today’s approval by a key Senate subcommittee of a 3.9 percent pay raise in 2009 for federal civilian employees is another welcome step forward in securing a fair and reasonable increase that also will aid federal agency recruitment and retention efforts. This action by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government is a reflection of the understanding of its members of the continuing contributions to our nation of the federal workforce.

7/1/08: Last Thursday, just before the Congress adjourned for its Independence Day Recess, it passed important legislation that might help some federal employees avoid the current high gas prices while also promoting environmental stewardship.

6/26/08: Yesterday afternoon, the House Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2009 Financial Services and General Government spending bill. In addition to several important NTEU-supported provisions on the GS pay raise and contracting out of federal jobs, the committee recommended an appropriation of $15 million over the President’s request for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The committee has also specifically instructed the SEC to allocate at least half of this $15 million increase to augment funds budgeted for merit pay under the agency’s negotiated performance-based pay system.

6/26/08: The House Appropriations Committee yesterday provided strong support for an NTEU-backed 3.9 percent pay raise for federal civilian employees next year in its markup of the fiscal 2009 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. This would match the 2009 raise for members of the military moving through Congress and continue the long tradition of military-civilian pay parity.

6/25/08: In light of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Doug Shulman’s recent move to raise the reimbursement rate for use of a personal vehicle for business reasons from 50.5 cents per mile to 58.5 cents per mile beginning July 1 through the end of the year, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley has called on the acting head of the General Service Administration (GSA) to make the same rate adjustment for federal employees.

6/23/08: Late last week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation to provide federal employees with four weeks of paid parental leave. The bill, introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and strongly supported by NTEU, would convert to paid leave four of the 12 weeks of unpaid leave currently available to federal employees under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The vote was 278 to 146.

6/18/08: Senator Jim Webb (D. Va.) has introduced a paid parental leave bill identical to HR 5781, which is expected to be voted on in the House this week. Yesterday, NTEU National President Colleen Kelley sent Senator Webb a letter expressing NTEU's thanks and support for this action.

Having similar bills in both Houses of Congress increases the chance of enactment of this much-needed legislation. Given that this year is a short legislative session due to the fall elections, it is unclear whether the issue will be finally addressed during this session.

6/17/08: The House Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee today approved a 3.9% pay raise for federal civilian employees in 2009. This is a full 1 percent higher than the administration's proposed increase of 2.9%. NTEU has been working hard for the 3.9% increase.

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.