Hundreds of NTEU members from across the country and federal agencies gathered in Washington, D.C., from Feb. 28 to March 1, for three intensive days of lobbying, workshops, a Capitol Hill rally in support of the federal workforce and speakers that included NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley and a long list of lawmakers.
President Kelley explained the theme of this year's Legislative Conference and rally, "Working for a Stronger America," when she told attendees, "“Federal employees are the ones working to build this country up, to serve its people, to protect and safeguard their lives and their futures."
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NTEU members from Maryland meet with Rep. Chris Van Hollen about federal employee issues. |
By the end of the week, there was no question that NTEU members had made their impression on the nation's capital. Not only did the union's Capitol Hill rally draw six lawmakers and print and radio media, but members logged hundreds of meetings with congressional representatives.
NTEU’s priority legislative issues for the current session of Congress include fighting proposals to reduce the federal workforce; federal pay and retirement issues; the pressing need for adequate Customs and Border Protection staffing; and the fact the government should find alternative savings—such as contractor reimbursement caps and limits on federal health plan Pharmacy Benefit Managers— before turning to federal workers for more sacrifice.
This page includes photos, materials and news from the 2012 Legislative Conference, as well as information on how you can become an NTEU activist and promote the union's legislative agenda.
Spirited NTEU Rally Elicits Loud Chant That “Enough Is Enough”
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At a spirited rally of hundreds of NTEU members on Feb. 29, five House members and a senator joined NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley in declaring that ‘enough is enough’ when it comes to continuing attacks on the pay, benefits and worth of the federal workforce.
Those members of Congress who support the work of federal employees have “a different vision” than those who attack federal workers, Sen. Ben Cardin said. “It is a vision that expands the middle class.” The crowd of NTEU members that filled both the lower floor and balcony of the auditorium in the Capitol Visitors Center picked up the chant—“Enough Is Enough”—as Sen. Cardin finished his remarks.
The rally, which was part of NTEU’s annual legislative conference and was scheduled to be outside on the Capitol grounds, was moved to the Capitol Visitors Center at the last minute because of rain. It focused, in part, on the contributions federal workers already have made to deficit reduction and pension contributions from newly-hired workers as well as the value of their work to the nation. More
A Strong and Vibrant Federal Workforce Will Build a Stronger America
The heart of a stronger America is a strong, vibrant and vocal federal workforce, President Kelley told NTEU members.
“When you strip away all the hyperbole you hear on the evening news, in Congress and on the campaign trail, it is all of you, your co-workers and colleagues, who are working for a stronger America, who are building up communities, protecting our resources and safeguarding our American way of life,” she said.
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Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) |
The NTEU leader used her opening remarks at the union’s annual legislative conference—“NTEU: Working for a Stronger America”—to stress that the most effective way to counter the relentless attacks on the federal workforce is for federal employees to take the message to the public that they are dedicated to the effective service of their nation.
She was joined in addressing participants at the opening session of the three-day conference by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), a staunch supporter not only of federal employees, but of all working Americans. He strongly encouraged the NTEU members to “tell your story on Capitol Hill (and) explain to the American people” the work federal employees perform. More
Kelley, DHS, CBP Officials Honor Those Killed In Service to Their Nation
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NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley (center) with CBP Acting Assistant Commissioner Kevin McAleenan and DHS Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute. |
Flickering candles partially illuminated the grounds of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 28 as NTEU members honored those from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) who have given their lives in service to their nation.
This solemn candlelight vigil is part of the annual NTEU legislative conference and drew hundreds to the Memorial. NTEU represents more than 24,000 CBP employees.
President Kelley was joined by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute and CBP Acting Assistant Commissioner Kevin McAleenan in reading, one by one, the names of those who have made this sacrifice, dating back to the start of the U.S. Customs Service in the early years of the United States.
President Kelley spoke of the families of those who have sacrificed their lives for others. “We can never fully understand the traumatic loss they bear,” she said. “But in a different way, a lesser way, we know that every loss of a DHS Officer is also a loss for the federal workforce family, for the NTEU family, for the Customs and Border Protection family. They are our brothers and sisters.” More
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