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Washington, D.C.— National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) President Colleen M. Kelley said today that the continuing debate over personnel flexibilities in homeland security legislation should remain focused on the merits of congressional proposals and not be “derailed by a political sideshow of inaccurate and baseless” allegations against federal workers and their unions.

“There is enough to consider and enough work to be done without the unfounded and baseless claims being made against federal sector unions. It is an unnecessary political sideshow. It is divisive at a time when there is a clear recognition that a compromise is needed,” said Kelley.

Representing some 12,000 Customs Service employees who are to be a part of a new Department of Homeland Security, Kelley said NTEU continues to support the compromise amendment offered by Democratic Sens. Ben Nelson (Neb.) and John Breaux (La.) and Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R.I.).

“This provides more flexibilities than many of the models the administration has been pointing to. I don’t understand the reluctance to accept it or at least let the Senate vote on it.”

“I am very concerned that the political tone and tenor of some involved in the debate, including those using unfounded and baseless claims against unionized federal employees, is a detriment to the morale and the contribution of those working on the front lines of America’s security. And it is a great disservice to those who in the future will be relied on to create an effective and capable Department of Homeland Security,” said Kelley.