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NTEU prioritizes bill to expand federal pay and benefits, but anticipates challenges in parliament

The more “difficult situation” in the Capitol, which now sees a partisan divide between the White House and Congress, has pushed, for example, the National Treasury Employees Union to push for the latest set of legislative priorities. are becoming more vocal about

High on the federal labor union’s list of concerns is securing significant pay increases for federal employees next year. Her 4.6% hike in 2023 was the largest in nearly two decades, but the NTEU National…

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The more “difficult situation” in the Capitol, which now sees a partisan divide between the White House and Congress, has pushed, for example, the National Treasury Employees Union to push for the latest set of legislative priorities. are becoming more vocal about

High on the federal labor union’s list of concerns is securing significant pay increases for federal employees next year. but, 4.6% increase in 2023 was the highest in almost two decades, but NTEU President Tony Reardon said the increase did not meet initial expectations.

“When you apply that to price increases and inflation, suddenly 4.6 didn’t seem to work as well as everyone had hoped,” Reardon said at a news conference. Press conference on February 27th.

Based on the 2023 wage increase, the NTEU will implement the latest version of fairness lawThe bill has been reintroduced for at least ten years but has never been enacted.This year’s bill would give federal employees an average 8.7% pay raise in 2024, split between a 4.7% base pay raise and an average 4% pay raise. local pay raise.

The NTEU is not alone in supporting the FAIR Act.of Federation of American Civil Service Two other federal labor unions, the National Confederation of Federal Employees, likewise Expressed 8.7% support price increase next year.

Despite the significant wage increases contained in the FAIR Act, many noted that the pay gap between the public and private sectors is even greater.The Federal Salary Council announced in his 2022 that federal employee salaries will be Lag 24.09% Lag those of their private sector counterparts.

“I would like to emphasize that [4.6% raise] Council member Reardon said at the NTEU legislative session in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 28.

In particular, the president’s payroll agent continuously “Substantial legal reformA transition to a federal payroll system, but it’s unclear what that would look like. However, from an NTEU perspective, the General Schedule system is still the best pay system for federal workers.

“I’m not saying it’s perfect. But what I’m suggesting is if you have problems, really talk about where the problems are and how you can address those problems.” Reardon said at a press conference, “We are certainly open to hearing other ideas that people have, but we will evaluate their merits and make decisions that we feel are in the best interest of our members.” I know I’m going down.”

Similarly, a high priority for NTEU leaders is changes to federal employee benefits, which Reardon describes as a need to “stick to what federal employees have.” Define broadly and promote “expand where possible”.

One area of ​​expansion that has received particular attention from legislators is paid family and medical leave for federal employees.Trade unions advocated the reintroduction of trade unions Federal Employment Law Comprehensive Paid Leavea bill that would provide the federal government with 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave.

According to internal research, one-third of NTEU chapter leaders have someone in their family with a serious medical condition.

“I think this shows just how much positive paid family leave can have for federal employees,” Reardon said. “We constantly hear many heartbreaking stories from our members, such as those who have used up all their personal leave to care for their elderly parents and have no time left for themselves or are forced to take unpaid leave. Come back to work with more debt and more stress.”

Also, the biggest concern for NTEU was the government’s telework policy. Many House Republicans have pushed for returning the federal workforce to pre-pandemic telework arrangements. show up actbut Reardon strongly criticized the rhetoric that telework worsens the performance of federal employees.

Instead, Reardon argued that remote work boosts productivity and morale, and reduces costs such as office leasing. Indeed, the NTEU said it would welcome parliament to research and collect data on the effectiveness of telework.

“I believe [it] It will be very clear that telework will work, that federal employees will be more productive, and that telework will not prevent them from doing so. I think it’s important for everyone else to remember one benefit: it helps recruit and retain employees.”

Beyond these priorities, the NTEU is also eyeing other high-priced legislative items, such as efforts to prevent a full return of Schedule F. President Joe Biden withdrew a Trump-era executive order shortly after he took office, but Reardon said the battle isn’t over yet. NTEU is save civil service lawa bicameral bill that would prevent future presidential administrations from reclassifying federal employees from competitive to exceptional service without congressional approval.

“There are clear threats to retaining civil servants on the basis of merit and ensuring that government services are provided by skilled professionals rather than partisan loyalists,” Reardon said.

According to an internal NTEU survey, about 75% of union leaders said their biggest concern with the alternative Schedule F policy was that politics would undermine the organisation’s mission.

“I think that says a lot about federal employees,” Reardon said. “Federal employees are dedicated to the agency’s mission. I am trying to do something.”

Given Capitol Hill’s “different landscape,” partisan divisions between the White House and Congress will make it difficult to advance these legislative priorities, which could lead to “really difficult years.” There is

“We are a little hostile leadership in the house.they have already caught up IRS funding and federal telework program‘, Reardon told attendees at the NTEU legislative session. “These members are repeating the same old, tired topics. And the fact is they know better. They’re simply trying to get political points off the backs of federal officials.”

Ultimately, however, NTEU leaders said they would work with all parliamentarians, regardless of their political affiliation or legislative track record.

“We are not going to visit any member of the House or the Senate, and only automatically assume that they cannot be educated or reach our point of view on certain issues. “We’re going to do our best to educate all those people.”



https://federalnewsnetwork.com/congress/2023/02/nteu-prioritizes-bills-to-expand-federal-pay-benefits-but-anticipates-challenges-ahead-in-congress/ NTEU prioritizes bill to expand federal pay and benefits, but anticipates challenges in parliament

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