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NTEU e-Bulletin
NTEU Endorses Legislation to Block Mass Layoffs
Congress would have the power to stop federal employee layoffs under legislation introduced in the House and Senate and endorsed by NTEU.
The Reduction in Force (RIF) Review Act, sponsored by Democrats Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Rep. Maxine Waters of California, would allow any member of Congress to call for a vote to overturn an agency's RIF plans to stop the mass elimination of federal jobs.
The bill also gives lawmakers even more oversight of the process. For example, agencies would have to report to Congress about the alternatives to a RIF that were considered and the reasons for rejecting them.
“Agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which I’ve been fighting to protect as Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, protect ordinary Americans from financial scams and predatory lenders. If Republicans want to declare open season on working families, they should at least have to vote on it,” Waters said.
House Committee Approves Legislation to Cut Pay, Benefits
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform approved their part of the budget reconciliation legislation that will cut employee pay, benefits, and rights. The bill now heads to the full House before moving to the Senate.
Ahead of the vote last week, National President Doreen Greenwald sent a letter to members of the House committee urging them to reject the reconciliation package.
“Federal employees have dedicated their careers to serving the nation, and they deserve Congress’s support and gratitude; not policies that break promises and erode their rights,” the letter states.
Tell your members of Congress to oppose these cuts and support federal employees.
Chapter 160 Member Saves a Colleague’s Life
No two days are the same for the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers securing our borders, and they are trained to be prepared for almost anything.
When CBP Officer and Chapter 160 (CBP Brownsville, Texas) Treasurer Edgar Lugo saw his colleagues struggling to apprehend a man attempting to illegally enter the country, instinct kicked in. He climbed the chain linked fence at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge to assist with the arrest, and helped stop the man from grabbing his colleague’s gun—saving his fellow officer’s life.
“Edgar Lugo’s actions during the attack showed what true leadership looks like: quick thinking, courage and loyalty to those we serve beside,” said Chapter 160 President Robert Briseno.
In recognition of this heroic action, CBP presented Lugo—an avid fisherman—with a set of fishing knives.
“In that moment, I didn’t think, I just acted," said Lugo. “Protecting each other is part of who we are, and I’m grateful I was there when it mattered."
NTEU is proud to represent frontline CBP Officers who protect our nation and save lives.
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