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Washington, D.C.-Over three days next week, two senators, a member of the House and the federal government's top personnel official all will address more than 300 members of the nation's largest independent federal union, gathered here for their annual legislative conference. It begins at 9 a.m. next Monday, Feb. 7.

President Colleen M. Kelley of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) called this year's conference "one of the most important we have held." The NTEU leader said "the only realistic way to have our voices heard on issues critical to the well-being of those we represent is to come here in large numbers and engage in a concerted effort to educate elected officials about the concerns and needs of federal employees."

Delegates will spend parts of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in meetings with senators and House members from their states. They will press their views for needed changes in federal pay, federal contracting out practices, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, the impact of the restructuring of the Internal Revenue Service, and about congressional attacks on the night pay of Customs Service officers.

Monday evening, conference attendees will honor at the union's annual Customs Vigil those members of the Customs Service killed in the line of duty. This event, beginning at 6 p.m. at the National Law Enforcement Memorial along E Street, between 4' and 5' Sts. downtown, will be led by NTEU President Kelley. She will be joined by Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers, Treasury Under Secretary [Enforcement] James Johnson and Customs Commissioner Raymond Kelly.

In addition, delegates will take part in a noon rally on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at the downtown headquarters of the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) at 5`'' and E Sts. The "Let Us Vote" rally will underscore the determination of SEC employees to secure the right to vote on union representation. Last month, the Washington regional director of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) ordered an election, but SEC has said it will appeal the decision. Specific information regarding NTEU's organizing campaign at the SEC may be obtained at http://www.nteu.org/SEC.html.

Delegates will hear remarks from Virginia Sen. Chuck Robb (D) and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Janice LaChance at Monday morning's session, while the closing luncheon beginning at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday will be addressed by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rep. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).