Presidential PLATFORM
Chapter 282 President, Anthony W. Lee, JD
Dear Members,
Today, many of you received devastating and unjust notices of separation from federal service. Let us be crystal clear: these actions are not only wrong—they are a betrayal of the dignity, dedication, and professionalism you have consistently shown in service to the American public.
NTEU is outraged by the treatment you’ve endured. No employee should be discarded without due process, respect, or accountability. These separations are not just administrative—they are personal, and they strike at the heart of the lack of fairness and justice in the federal workplace and currently in our nation.
As we have said before, you are not alone. NTEU stands firmly with every affected employee, and we will exhaust every option and avenue to fight for your reinstatement. Whether through legal challenges, public advocacy, and through direct engagement with congressional leaders to hold FDA leaders accountable for this illegal action we are mobilizing every resource to defend your rights and restore your positions.
Tomorrow, you will receive a follow-up message from NTEU National leadership and our legal teams with guidance on Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) appeals and other formal challenges. We are committed to ensuring you have the information, support, and representation you need to navigate this process and reclaim what was unjustly taken.
We are here for you—not just as union representatives, but as colleagues who believe in your worth and stand beside you in this fight.
​
​
In Solidarity,
Anthony Lee
​
​
Join the Union:
​
If you haven’t already, consider joining the union: https://www.nteu.org/join . It’s a powerful way to have your voice heard and actively participate in shaping our workplace.
Your Voice Matters:
-
Attend the upcoming meetings.
-
Engage in constructive dialogue.
-
Raise any concerns or questions you may have.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment. Our shared efforts will shape the future of the Human Foods Program and FDA.
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:
-
Veterans’ Preference
-
Most Recent Performance Ratings
-
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.
​
NTEU Chapter 282 has filed a formal petition with the FDA and GSA regarding the ongoing issue of Legionella bacteria contamination in several FDA buildings.
The presence of Legionella bacteria in the water in any FDA building is unacceptable.
-
The union strongly opposes the declaration of "full remediation" until:
-
Every building has been definitively shown to be free of Legionella bacteria.
-
All recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including those outlined in the CDC Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE), have been fully implemented.
-
Crucially, the CDC evaluation and recommendations are still outstanding.
Join the Petition:
We urge you to sign NTEU282's petition demanding a safe and healthy work environment.
​
Together, we can ensure the safety and well-being of all FDA employees.
NTEU 282's very own Podcast it out
Find out more about the CBA