Take some time to review the bills that AFGE is actively pushing against. You can always visit AFGE National’s Media Center for additional updates of work being done.
The Federal Employee Return to Work Act (H.R. 236), sponsored by Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., Senate version by (S. 27) Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La.
- The legislation would bar federal employees who spend at least one day per week on telework from receiving the locality pay based on their official workstation location, but would not apply to employees with a disability and a reasonable accommodation, Foreign Service members Federal law enforcement or active duty Armed Service members.
The Return to Work Act (H.R. 107), sponsored by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz.
- Biggs is back with legislation that would require federal agencies to wind back their telework policies to the versions in place on Dec. 31, 2019. The Arizona Republican first introduced the legislation in 2022 and again in January 2023, each time, the bill failed to make it out of committee.
The Telework Reform Act (S. 3015), sponsored by Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla.
- On Tuesday, Lankford reintroduced legislation that he had previously cosponsored with former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., in October 2023, that doesn’t seek to reduce telework, but instead proposes to codify the Office of Personnel Management’s definitions of telework and remote work and offers agencies other flexibilities in support of the practice.
The Requiring Effective Management and Oversight of Teleworking Employees Act (S. 21), sponsored by Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa.
- Ernst, who has been an outspoken critic of current federal telework practices, introduced legislation on Jan. 7 that would require agencies to measure the login data and network traffic from teleworking employees to monitor how many times they log in and the length of time they are connected.
The Decentralizing and Reorganizing Agency Infrastructure Nation-wide to Harness Efficient Services, Workforce Administration and Management Practices—or DRAIN THE SWAMP—Act (S. 23)
- Would require all non-national security agencies to relocate 30% of their headquarters staff outside of the D.C. area within one year of the measure’s enactment.
I joined the Union not long after my employment in Census around 2002-2003, at that time, I was encouraged by my fellow colleagues who were members and I wanted to see what the union was all about. Fast forward to 2023 and I’m still part of a great team of people who are very engaged and dedicated to helping out its members in any way they can. A highly trustworthy and loyal group that know when to take it to the table and also have fun during our many yearly events both online and in person.
As a member of AFGE, I feel like I have a voice to make a difference and continuously improve the workplace for my fellow colleagues and myself!
I choose to be a member of my union because I need the support and ability to fight for our rights. Without the union, there would be no protection.