NTEU Endorses Harris for President

WASHINGTON – The National Treasury Employees Union has endorsed Kamala Harris for President of the United States.

NTEU National President Doreen Greenwald announced the decision after extensive research into the candidates’ records regarding the federal workforce, and consultation with NTEU members and chapter leaders across the country.

“When it comes to treating federal employees with respect, valuing their service and investing in their work, Kamala Harris is the clear choice,” Greenwald said. “She shares our values and our commitment to making sure that the federal government works for all Americans. She has been a strong advocate for the issues that matter most to federal employees: fair pay, paid family leave, adequate agency funding and staffing, and robust collective bargaining rights.”

Harris’ role as vice president in one of the most pro-labor administrations in history is another major factor in the endorsement decision.  Vice President Harris personally led the administration’s efforts to expand workers’ rights as Chair of the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, which leveled the playing field for federal employee unions and improved organizing efforts. Working with Congress, the administration also delivered agency budgets that provide federal employees with additional staffing and resources, including significant new investments to rebuild the IRS under the Inflation Reduction Act.

"Harris’ commitment to sign the 2024 bipartisan border bill and increase staffing so our members at Customs and Border Protection can do their jobs securing the border at the ports of entry are examples of her commitment to ensuring federal agencies are properly funded and staffed, which is one of the many reasons why all Americans should vote for Kamala Harris,” Greenwald said.

“Kamala Harris has a long career in public service, which has given her a keen understanding of how the skilled civil servants who perform the day-to-day work of government are vital to our democracy,” Greenwald said. “She is a powerful voice for workers and their unions, recognizing that taxpayers are better served when the federal workforce is organized and empowered to help agencies meet their important public service missions."

Harris also has an established relationship with NTEU and our members. She supports the issues that matter most to our members and leaders, and as a Senator from California, she attended our Legislative Conference in 2020 and met with many of our members.

NTEU also strongly supports longtime labor advocate Tim Walz for vice president, Greenwald said.

Gov. Walz is a veteran of the Army National Guard, a former teacher and union member who had a strong record on federal employee issues during his years as a member of Congress. He has continued his support for labor and workers as governor, including signing laws to expand public sector collective bargaining and provide paid family leave.

“This is an important moment for American labor organizations to stand together and fight for workers,” Greenwald said. “Electing Kamala Harris and Tim Walz will allow federal employees to build on the progress of the last four years with the addition of a paid family leave policy, agency leadership that respects their union-represented workforce, and a belief that the nation prospers when workers are treated with fairness and dignity.”

NTEU represents federal employees in 35 federal agencies throughout the country. X