Home Media Center News Releases

Washington, D.C.—The head of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) briefed key Capitol Hill lawmakers this week about critical issues facing federal employees and retirees.

Attending the luncheon meeting Thursday with NTEU National President Colleen M. Kelley were Maryland Democratic Reps. Steny Hoyer, Chris Van Hollen, Elijah Cummings, Dutch Ruppersburger, John Sarbanes and John Delaney; Virginia Democrats Rep. Don Beyer and Rep. Gerry Connolly.

“I want to thank House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer for giving us the opportunity to strategize with these key leaders on issues that are critically important to the federal employees and retirees we represent,” President Kelley said. “Whether it is the OPM data breach, fair pay, a secure retirement or adequate funding for the agencies where our members work, we know we cannot succeed without their leadership.”

She discussed a range of issues, including the recent cyberattacks, the need to end sequestration in fiscal year 2016 and fair pay raises for the federal workforce next year.

NTEU sued the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on July 8, alleging that the agency’s failure to prevent the data breaches violated the constitutional right to informational privacy enjoyed by union members. Kelley told the lawmakers that OPM’s response has been “totally inadequate.”

She also underscored that sequestration funding levels were devastating agency budgets and urged Congress to give federal workers a bigger pay raise than the 1.3 percent increase by the White House for next year.

NTEU is the largest independent federal union, representing 150,000 employees in 31 agencies and departments.