Presidential PLATFORM
Chapter 282 President, Anthony W. Lee, JD
Dear NTEU Chapter 282 Members,
The Protect America’s Workforce Act (PAWA) has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support. Now, the Senate must act — and Republican co‑sponsors will be essential to moving this legislation forward.
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PAWA is more than a labor bill. For FDA employees, it is a public‑health safeguard. Restoring collective bargaining rights ensures that FDA scientists, analysts, inspectors, and other professionals can speak truth in their work, raise concerns grounded in science, and carry out their mission to protect the public without fear of retaliation. When employees have a protected voice, the American people benefit from stronger accountability, better decision‑making, and a safer food and drug supply.
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Your outreach matters. Senators pay close attention when their constituents call — especially when the request is bipartisan, reasonable, and tied directly to public safety.
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We are asking every member to take a few minutes to contact their Republican U.S. Senators and urge them to co‑sponsor the Protect America’s Workforce Act. All of the Democratic U.S. Senators have already signed on to PAWA.
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Suggested Call Script
You can use the following short script when calling your Senator’s office: The phone number to the Senate switchboard is: 1-202-224-3121 ask to be connected to your Senator by name
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“Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent. I’m calling to urge Senator [Last Name] to co‑sponsor the Protect America’s Workforce Act. This bipartisan bill has already passed the House, and it is essential for ensuring that federal employees — including FDA staff — can raise scientific concerns and protect public health without fear of retaliation. Strong worker protections help safeguard the integrity of our nation’s food and drug safety systems. I respectfully ask the Senator to support and co‑sponsor this important legislation. Thank you.”
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Why This Matters for FDA Employees
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Protecting scientific integrity: FDA employees must be able to follow data and evidence wherever it leads. PAWA strengthens the ability of employees to speak up when public health is at risk.
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Preventing retaliation: Without collective bargaining rights, employees who raise legitimate concerns can face pressure or retaliation. PAWA restores essential protections.
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Strengthening public trust: When FDA staff can voice concerns openly and safely, the public can have greater confidence in the safety of the nation’s food, drugs, and medical products.
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Supporting a stable, effective workforce: Fair workplace protections help retain skilled professionals and ensure continuity in critical public‑health work.​
Your voice is powerful. By taking a few minutes to call your Senators, you help protect not only your rights as a federal employee but also the health and safety of the American public.
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If you have questions or need support, please reach out to your NTEU 282 leadership team or your local steward.
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Standing together makes all the difference.
NTEU 282 WILL TAKE OUR MESSAGE TO THE STREETS OR CONGRESS !
New(s) at 282
FILL OUT THE RIF FORM!
NTEU will fight back against this RIF through every available avenue. The administration is trying to rush this RIF through without resistance. That’s exactly why it issued an executive order on March 27 designed to stop NTEU from fighting for you.
But we aren’t going anywhere! We have filed multiple lawsuits against the administration to stop their illegal union busting and to ensure we can continue to represent you in the courts, grievances, etc. In fact, one lawsuit we filed in February already covers this RIF at HHS.
As for the RIF notices sent today, if you are an impacted employee, the first thing you should do is review the Retention Standing information in the “Notice of RIF” attachment. You should especially review the following for accuracy:
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Veterans’ Preference
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Most Recent Performance Ratings
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Two Service Computation Dates (RIF & Adjusted RIF)
As the letter states, if you believe any of the Retention Standing information is inaccurate, you should contact your supervisor or email OHR-General-Inquiries@hhs.gov immediately.
HHS also included an “Acknowledgement of Receipt” and “Authorization for Release of Information” in the email notice to impacted employees. The notice requests that the signed documents be returned within 14 days. We are reviewing these notices and will provide further information soon. We recommend not signing and returning those documents at this time.
The second thing you should do, if you haven’t already, is retain copies of your most recent SF-50, Leave and Earnings statements, any performance documents, and passwords for your TSP and Employee Personal Page.
The third thing you should do is urge your member of Congress to act to stop mass layoffs and protect union rights – now. Go to NTEU’s Legislative Action Center and send them a message today (REMINDER: Do not use a government email address when sending a message through this system.)
This senseless and destructive RIF not only harms impacted employees, it deprives the American people of the vital services our members – all experienced and talented civil servants – provide for them every day.
To help us assess the scope of the RIF and to assist us in fighting back, we are asking impacted employees to fill out this FORM.
We will update you soon with additional information. Reach out to your NTEU chapter leadership if you have any questions.
Trump has taken illegal actions to remove the ability of close to 1.5 million federal employees at dozens of agencies across the federal government to belong to a union!
This is just the latest action in the administration’s assault on federal employees. They are eliminating your bargaining rights, conducting unlawful mass firings, dismantling agencies and undermining critical services provided to the American people.
WE MUST TAKE A STAND!
We need everyone in this fight. Solidarity is our strength. We have each other’s back and always will. All NTEU members, your family and your friends must contact members of Congress each and every day. Take Action and ask your members of Congress to stand up and help put a stop to these attacks.
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Find out more about the CBA