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Washington, D.C. — The leader of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) today applauded inclusion of a provision advanced by NTEU in the fiscal 2008 omnibus appropriations bill that provides an enhanced retirement benefit to Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers.

“Congress has taken a giant step in correcting an inequity that has existed for far too many years and recognizing that these highly-trained CBP officers risk their lives every day protecting our ports of entry against threats posed by terrorists, criminals, and illegal weapons, drugs and contraband,” said NTEU National President Colleen M. Kelley. “This measure will go a long way toward addressing CBP’s worsening retention and recruitment issues.”

The provision, which takes effect in July of 2008, would cover some 18,000 CBP Officers. From July 2008 forward, these Officers would immediately be eligible for an enhanced pension benefit until the end of their career. There would be no change to their pension calculations or contributions for federal service before July 2008 resulting in a hybrid system for these employees. CBP Officers hired after July 2008 would have LEO status immediately

“Under this system, current CBP Officers will benefit whether they work two more years, or 10 more years,” President Kelley said.

NTEU has lead the efforts to obtain law enforcement recognition for the CBP Officers who serve as the nation’s frontline security force, protecting airports, sea ports and land border crossings. A recent report to Congress by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that retention is increasingly a problem at CBP, in part due to the lack of a recognition of the law enforcement duties they perform. During 2007, the report stated, an average of 52 CBP Officers left the agency every two weeks, up from 34 officers in 2005.

“The most significant impediment to recruitment and retention of CBP Officers that Congress can address immediately is the lack of Law Enforcement Officer status,” the NTEU president told Congress at a recent hearing.

The House of Representatives initially passed a provision that would grant LEO benefits to CBP Officers prospectively beginning in July. Under that provision, only CBP Officers who serve 20 years post-July 2008 would have received any improved benefit.

NTEU worked with members of the House and Senate to improve the provision to provide additional retirement benefits for current CBP Officers who will not be able to serve 20 years under a new system and be at an age to retire early.

“Congress should be commended for taking action to solve the retention and recruitment problems at CBP,” said Kelley. “These valiant officers who protect us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, deserve this acknowledgement.”

NTEU is the largest independent federal union, representing150,000 employees in 31 agencies and departments, including the entire 21,000-employee CBP bargaining unit.