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Washington D.C. – Federal employees would be able to donate paid leave to their colleagues who are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ida if the administration established emergency leave transfer programs, as requested by NTEU.

NTEU National President Tony Reardon on Monday asked the White House to allow federal agencies to create the special programs, just as they did during previous disasters.

“Generous federal employees around the country would like to assist their colleagues along the Gulf Coast by donating excess paid leave so they can afford to take time off to care for their families and their property,” Reardon said. “The Emergency Leave Transfer Program showcases the compassion that federal employees have for their coworkers in need, and we urge the Office of Personnel Management to quickly activate this program for Hurricane Ida.”

OPM has exercised its authority to authorize ELTPs during declared national emergencies in the past, including during Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and Hurricanes Florence and Michael in 2018.

Federal employees are among those impacted by the dangerous winds, storm surge and flooding in Louisiana and Mississippi and they may not have enough personal leave to manage the catastrophe, Reardon said.

“The Emergency Leave Transfer Program is built for exactly this kind of disaster when federal workers, just like their neighbors, need some extra assistance to recover and rebuild,” Reardon said.

NTEU also has its own program to assist employees affected by natural disasters. NTEU’s Disaster Fund, administered by the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund, provides grants for employees at agencies represented by the union to help recover from the impact of Hurricane Ida.

NTEU represents employees in 34 federal agencies and departments.