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Washington, D.C.—National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) President Colleen M. Kelley today described as “a first step toward positive changes” a bipartisan amendment to the fiscal 2005 Defense Authorization Act that would provide federal employees with the same appeal rights private contractors currently enjoy with respect to agency contracting out decisions.

The amendment, offered by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Carl Levin (D-MI), would allow federal employees to protest adverse contract awards before the General Accounting Office (GAO)—a right now available only to private sector contractors.

“I recognize the limited scope of this amendment” as it applies to bid protest rights under the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) competitive sourcing program, President Kelley said. “However, I look forward to working with the amendment sponsors and other members of Congress to address the competitive sourcing program changes needed to completely level the playing field for federal employees.”

She added: “It is only fair that federal employees are afforded the exact same rights to compete for their jobs as private contractors.”

NTEU has been leading the fight against the administration’s drive, spearheaded by OMB, to contract to the private sector one out of every two federal jobs.

The unanimous Senate approval of the Collins-Levin amendment shows there is strong congressional support for federal employees on this issue—in sharp contrast to the position of the White House, which continues to push contracting out of federal jobs.

“I hope the administration recognizes and appreciates the depth of this support,” President Kelley said, “and accepts this amendment.”

NTEU is the largest independent federal union, representing some 150,000 employees in 29 agencies and departments.