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Washington, D.C.—The leader of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) today vowed no letup in the union’s vocal opposition to an administration proposal to remake the nation’s civil service in ways that would harm federal workers—despite indications the controversial plan faces a tough sell in Congress this election year.

The administration’s proposal, in the form of projected legislation called the Working for America Act (WFAA), is a “smokescreen to undermine employee rights that are in place today,” NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley told more than 300 union leaders and activists gathered in Washington for the start of the union’s annual three-day legislative conference.

WFAA would extend government-wide the regressive personnel regulations the administration is trying to put in place in both the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Defense, by placing significant limits on employee collective bargaining, due process and appeal rights; and it would replace the General Schedule pay system with untested, subjective and complex pay rules.

On close examination, President Kelley said at the conference opening session, the so-called pay-for-performance aspect of WFAA “would undo a fair, credible and transparent system and replace it with a system open to cronyism and subjectivity. This proposal is not to reward performance, but eventually to pay some employees less.”

The NTEU leader was joined at the morning session by Office of Personnel Management Director Linda M. Springer and U.S. Rep. Benjamin Cardin (D-MD).

Director Springer acknowledged sharp differences of opinion revolving around WFAA, and noted that no member of Congress has yet stepped forward to sponsor such legislation. She added, however, that “discussions are underway” with members of Congress on “certain less controversial aspects” of the proposal.

At the same time, she said, “I don’t think any legislation will be introduced this year, until at least after the (midterm) election” in November.

Rep. Cardin, a 20-year veteran of the House, was described by President Kelley as “one of the most trusted friends and skilled advocates” that federal employees have on Capitol Hill. He is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and Ranking Member of its trade subcommittee.

The Maryland Democrat expressed what he called his “grave concerns about the future of our country” stemming from the policies of this administration—including, he said, its policy of “dismantling the federal workforce” by its constant attacks on it.

However, he said, organizations like NTEU and progressive members of Congress are making some headway in their continuing efforts to “send a message to make clear to the American people that what is happening in government is about America’s future and their children’s future.”

He called for such organizations to build and strengthen “a focused partnership to take back the government, so we can move forward” as a nation. “I think we have the American people on our side,” he said, “and more and more members of Congress are on our side.”

The assembled NTEU members will spend the bulk of their time this week meeting with their representatives and senators on a variety of issues. Along with WFAA, these issues include support for a fair federal pay raise; efforts to secure an increase in the government’s contribution to federal employee health care premiums; even greater efforts to prevent the accelerating privatization of federal work by the administration; and the pressing need to address a range of issues that are adversely impacting the ability of DHS employees to accomplish their mission—particularly the lack of law enforcement officer (LEO) status.

NTEU is the largest independent federal union, representing some 150,000 employees in 30 agencies and departments.