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Washington, D.C.?Just short of a year after organizing a key unit of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) has successfully reached agreement on a three?year contract that includes, for the first time in the federal sector, a program of negotiated child?care subsidies.

NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley called the three?year agreement covering more than 400 employees of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) "a terrific contract for a first?ever agreement, and made all the better by the inclusion of the child?care subsidy, which we have fought so hard to get in the federal sector."

Details of the NTEU?SAMHSA program will be worked out after the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) makes final a proposed rule dealing with child care subsidies, an action expected in mid?February. A 30?day comment period on OPM's proposed rule on child care closes on Jan. 24.

Kelley, whose union made subsidized child care one of its priority legislative issues last year as the culmination of along campaign for it, said she hopes "other federal agencies will take notice of the importance that SAMHSA has placed on this family?friendly benefit and move quickly to work with us in bargaining and implementing these subsidies throughout the federal workplace."

In addition to the child care subsidies, the SAMHSA contract provides, among other articles, for alternative work schedules, career development and training, a commitment to labor management partnership, and yet another first in the federal sector?an article dealing with dignity, morale and the work environment.

That article, Kelley said, "reflects the commitment of both parties to enhance the quality of work life and morale" within the agency, whose employees are responsible for administering prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programs for substance abuse and mental illness.

NTEU, which is the largest independent federal union, represents some 155,000 employees in 24 agencies and departments. The union has long pushed for affordable day care for the children of federal employees, pointing out in its long?running educational campaign that high costs prevent many federal employees from using child care facilities in the buildings where they work.

Language was included last fall in the Treasury Appropriations Bill allowing agencies the discretion to use appropriated funds to subsidize child care expenses for their employees. The legislation creates a pilot program through this September 30.