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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3/29 "RIF" BREAKING NEWS
HHS Announces Planned Reduction-in-Force; NTEU Continues to Fight Back
This morning, HHS sent us a notice that it intends to implement a reduction-in-force (RIF) of employees, citing the president’s February 11, 2025, executive order. Here is what the notice says:
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Probable Effective Date: May 27, 2025
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Type of Employees Affected: The RIF is primarily aimed at administrative positions including human resources, information technology, procurement, and finance. The RIF will also target roles in high-cost regions and employees in programmatic areas that have been determined to be redundant or duplicative with other functions in HHS or across the federal government.
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Competitive Areas Affected: A list of competitive areas is still being finalized. If a collective bargaining agreement with HHS requires notice of competitive areas to a union, HHS will notify that union as soon as possible after the competitive areas are finalized.
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Approximate number of employees affected: 8,000 to 10,000 employees.
NTEU immediately requested a briefing and demanded to bargain this RIF. In addition, we reminded HHS that under the law and our contract the RIF may not be implemented until that bargaining has concluded.
This senseless and destructive RIF would not only harm any potentially impacted employees, it would also deprive the American people of the vital services our members—all experienced and talented civil servants—provide for them every day. We will fight back against this RIF through every available avenue. One of those paths includes our lawsuit filed in February, which covers this HHS RIF. That case argues that the combined effects of the administration’s probationary employee firings, RIFs and the deferred resignation program are illegal attempts to destroy congressionally created federal agencies.
Once we have more concrete information from HHS, we will share that with you. Note that HHS indicated that impacted employees may receive notices as soon as tomorrow, March 28. We will soon send out a form asking impacted employees to provide us with information to assist us in fighting back.
Presidential PLATFORM
Chapter 282 President, Anthony W. Lee, JD
Dear Chapter 282,
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Dear NTEU Chapter 282 Members,
On Monday, FDA employees began returning to the office full-time, 5 days per week due to the illegal return to office (RTO) order by HHS that NTEU is challenging. FDA leadership has failed to adequately prepare for the influx of people to our facilities, and the return has been incredibly frustrating and challenging. Please extend patience and grace to your fellow employees as we all navigate this cluster together.
If you’re looking for a way to get involved and to fight back, please document, document, document! NTEU needs evidence of the ridiculous working conditions as we fight the multiple violations of our union contract, including this RTO order.
NTEU Chapter 282 RTO Survey
Please complete this survey on your RTO experience:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/282RTO
Things to keep in mind
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Every building has a posted capacity limit. Take note of the limits in your building. Your local fire marshal has the authority to enforce building capacity limits.
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has laws about the number of working toilets per employee. Employers are also required to provide soap, towels or hand dryers, and toilet paper.
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OSHA also has laws on extension cords – they cannot be plugged in to each other to make a longer cord, nor can they be run through doorways, windows, or walls. They must not be a tripping hazard.
What to do with your documentation
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Complete the survey and document evidence of egregious working conditions, long lines, and safety concerns. NTEU 282 is collecting evidence at NTEU282@gmail.com .
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Do not send images with confidential or proprietary information.
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Consider filing a complaint with OSHA or your local fire marshal.
Contact your members of Congress and tell your story of how HHS is violating our union contract. Please do this on your own time, at home, using your own personal device: Legislative Action Center - National Treasury Employees Union - NTEU .
Visit our website: Home | NTEU282 (282nteu.org). Explore the latest news and resources—we encourage your active participation!
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In Solidarity,
Anthony Lee
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Join the Union:
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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:
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Attend the upcoming meetings.
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Engage in constructive dialogue.
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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.
BREAKING: 282's very own Podcast it out
New(s) at 282
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.
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The union strongly opposes the declaration of "full remediation" until:
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Every building has been definitively shown to be free of Legionella bacteria.
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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.
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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.
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Together, we can ensure the safety and well-being of all FDA employees.
Find out more about the CBA