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Washington, D.C. – Next week marks the 50th anniversary of an executive order (EO) issued by President Kennedy that helped strengthen the federal government and improve services to the American people. The EO, providing the right of federal employees to bargain collectively in the federal government, was signed on Jan. 17, 1962.

“By this action, President Kennedy established the institution of collective bargaining in the federal government, which has played a vital role in helping create the most highly-respected civil service in the world,” said National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) President Colleen M. Kelley.

“Federal employees have a vested interest in the success of their department or agency, and through collective bargaining there is a process for their suggestions, ideas and proposals to be heard,” Kelley added. The process of bringing employee voices to the bargaining table, Congress, courts, the media or the public has resulted in numerous benefits for our country including keeping politics out of the federal workplace; protecting scientific integrity; providing protection for those who would expose waste, fraud and abuse; and driving innovation in federal agencies.

The rights and concepts contained in the 1962 executive order later became federal law with the passage of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978.

“Collective bargaining has been a crucial pillar of support for NTEU’s mission of ensuring that every federal employee is treated with dignity and respect,” Kelley said adding that NTEU also works to make certain that the contributions of federal workers to the well-being of the nation are recognized and appreciated.

She noted that for those in NTEU bargaining units, the right to bargain collectively has produced a number of significant gains, including assuring a fair promotion process; a grievance procedure with a path to a neutral third-party decision-maker; awards programs; alternative and flexiplace work schedules; a transparent performance appraisal process; and much more. Many of the gains won by NTEU have been spread throughout the federal workplace.

“Every day, NTEU works to ensure that we use collective bargaining rights to full advantage for federal employees and the country,” Kelley said. “The goal of efficient and effective federal agencies is one we share with government leadership and the American people.”

As the nation’s largest independent union of federal employees, NTEU represents 150,000 employees in 31 agencies and departments.