NTEU has launched a new mobile feature, and it is available to NTEU members through the Legislative Action Center.  NTEU members now have the opportunity to access the Legislative Action Center through the use of their mobile smart phones.  NTEU members can view all alerts and take action on a legislative issue with just a few short steps and while on the go.

            With the many challenges we are facing, staying informed and engaged in the legislative process can make all the difference.  Whether it is responding to a call alert or an e-mail letter campaign, members can take action at a moment’s notice.  As a reminder, NTEU members can take action on legislative issues on their own time in the workplace, so please take advantage of this new feature. 

Today, I sent a letter to each of the House and Senate Transportation bill (S.1813) conferees concerning efforts to add federal pension changes to the final bill.  I urged the conferees to oppose the addition of provisions that would seek increased federal employee contributions or other changes to FERS or CSRS.  We have learned that some parties involved in the negotiations for a compromise bill between the Senate-passed transportation bill and the House-passed transportation bill are attempting to insert provisions that will increase federal employee contributions to their pensions.  Neither the House-passed or Senate-passed bills included changes to FERS or CSRS, but an earlier version of the House Transportation bill used increased pension contributions to offset other spending in the bill.

We sent a message to each conferee stating that provisions regarding federal employee pensions should not even be under consideration in this Transportation bill conference committee.  We reiterated that federal employees have already contributed $75 billion to deficit reduction, more than any other group and urged opposition to any further compensation cuts.  A copy of the letter is attached.

                                                                                    Colleen M. Kelley

                                                                                    National President

LtrtoConfereesonTranspoBill(Attach).pdf

HR 3630, the bill to extend the payroll tax holiday, provide for an extention of unemployment insurance and fix doctor reimbursement rates in the Medicare program, passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 293-132 and the Senate by a vote of 60-36.  The President has said he will sign the legislation.  HR 3630 paiid for the unemployment insurance provisions, in part, by increasing contributions to the federal retirement program by 2.3% for new employees hired after December 31, 2012, who have less than five years creditable service.  NTEU opposed the legislation.  As we told Congress, federal employees are in the second year of a two-year pay freeze that is contributing to $60 billion to deficit reduction.  It is unconscionable to come back to them for a second $15 billion hit, while no other group has been asked to sacrifice.  While the payroll tax holiday extention and the unemployment insurance extention only last for the next ten months, the loss to a new federal employee making $50,000 a year is $1,000 per year, every year for the rest of their career.

While we strongly opposed the legislation, we were pleased that key members of Congress including Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and members of Conference Committee, Representatives Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Senator Ben Caradin (D-MD), worked with NTEU to assure that no increase would affect current employees.

More fights remain.  When the House returns, it will again consider HR 3813, which makes significant other changes to the retirement system, including increasing pension contributions for current federal employees by 0.5% for 2013, 2014, and 2015, then continue to increase of 1.5% permanently and, most egregiously, ending the FERS supplement effective December 31, 2012, for those not subject to mandatory retirement.  We expect that HR 3813 will be attached to HR 7, the transportation and infrastructure bill to pay for bridges and highways.  To find out more, visit www.nteu.org