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Washington, D.C.—The leader of the nation’s largest independent union of federal employees today called on government agencies to promptly issue work schedule guidance to Washington, D.C.-based federal workers with respect to the start of pre-Inaugural activities next Wednesday. The Inauguration itself is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 20.

In a letter to the heads of agencies where the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) is the collective bargaining representative, NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley supported the recommendation of Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kay Coles James that agencies provide “wide latitude” for federal employees in downtown work locations Wednesday afternoon. A major event is scheduled near the White House beginning at 4 p.m.

President Kelley said it is likely that the event will generate “major delays” for federal workers at the normal end of the workday Wednesday stemming from the large number of out-of-town visitors and increased security efforts.

“Many NTEU members have family and child care obligations,” President Kelley wrote, “and excessive delays in their normal afternoon commute may impose major hardships.”

She asked agency heads to consider dismissing non-essential employees “as early as is feasible” next Wednesday and that they inform employees of their decision “as quickly as possible so they can make appropriate plans.”

Kelley noted that NTEU has been receiving inquiries from its members about what policies will or may be adopted by various agencies and noted that the union would be “happy to assist” agencies in getting the word out to D.C.-based employees.

As the largest independent federal union, NTEU represents some 150,000 employees in 30 agencies and departments.