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Washington, D.C. — The leader of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) welcomed tomorrow’s scheduled consideration of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2011 (H.R. 3289) by a key House committee, but called for certain changes to strengthen the legislation and provide federal employees with the protections they need.

“Whistleblower protection is vital to good government,” NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley wrote in a letter today to members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. “Reforming the whistleblower protection law has become important because court decisions and administrative proceedings have left a legacy of honest federal employees being punished for exposing fraud, waste or abuse.”

While Kelley commended H.R. 3289 for strengthening whistleblower protections, she noted that the legislation should be improved. In the letter, the NTEU leader asked committee members to add language during tomorrow’s mark-up allowing limited access to jury trials and review by all circuit courts, while removing a provision that makes it easier for the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) to dispose of cases and rule against federal employees without holding a hearing. Additionally, Kelley asked for changes to a provision that allows the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to choose to appeal substantial impact cases to the Federal Circuit Court, which has consistently ruled against whistleblowers.

“Now is the time to let [federal employees] know that the important work they do every day is appreciated and that they have your support for keeping government free from fraud, waste and abuse without reprisal,” Kelley wrote.

NTEU represents more than 150,000 employees in 31 agencies and departments.