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NTEU e-Bulletin
Senate Considering House-Passed Fiscal Year 2026 Funding Bills
Funding negotiations have taken a turn as some Democratic senators areare pushing for changes tothe funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following another fatal shooting in Minnesotaover the weekend.
Before leaving Washington for a weeklong recess, the House passed the final four fiscal year 2026 funding bills, including those for the Departments of Homeland Security, Defense, and Health and Human Services. These bills, along with two others that previously passed the House, are being considered by the Senate this week. The House would have to pass the funding package again if it is changed.
If the Senate fails to act by midnight Friday or make any changes that require the House to pass it again, funding foragencies covered by the six remaining appropriations billswill lapse.
NTEU will continue to keep you updated as funding developments unfold.
Reminder: Tax Prep Benefit Will Be Available Next Week
Beginning Feb. 4, eligible NTEU members will again have free access to tax preparation software and assistance for federal and state returns and free electronic filing.
As a reminder, the IRS established the income limit threshold of an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $89,000 or less. Watch your email for details and a link to access this NTEU member benefit.
NTEU Notches Wins for HHS and CBP Employees
Last week, neutral arbitrators ruled in NTEU’s favor in two separate cases regarding workplace flexibility.
An arbitrator ruled that the Department of Health and Human Servicesviolated NTEU’s contract and the law by rescinding remote work and telework agreements in response to theReturn to In-Person Work Presidential Memorandumissued on Jan. 20, 2025. He ordered HHS to reinstate terminated workplace flexibility agreements of NTEU-represented employees.
Also last week, an arbitrator ruled that Customs and Border Protection violated the law and NTEU’s contract when it suspended and attempted to terminate an alternative work schedule for employees working the midnight shift in San Luis, Ariz.Despite a bargaining impasse between Chapter 116 (CBP Arizona),CBP went ahead and terminated the schedule prompting NTEU to file a grievance.Along with reinstating the AWS schedule, the arbitrator awarded impacted employees with back payin the form of leave reinstatement for the lost annual leave.
These wins significantlyvindicateNTEU’s defense of the hard-won rights in our contracts. We will continue fighting to hold the administration and agencies accountable, and if either decide to appeal these decisions, we are ready to vigorously defend these victories.
NTEU Puerto Rico Chapters Host Octavitas Party
In true solidarity, NTEU Puerto Rico united once again in celebration. Come January, the holidays are not over in Puerto Rico. The bold rhythms of the drums beating out bomba and the concurrent swoops of the dancer’s crimson skirt beckoned members and their guests into NTEU Chapters 188 (CBP Puerto Rico) and 193 (IRS Puerto Rico) Octavitas party. Read more.
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