IFPTE Federal Caucus Convenes as Part of Legislative Advocacy Conference
On day two of the conference, leaders from the Federal Caucus held a formal meeting to discuss issues particular to their members, as well as to exchange insights and best practices regarding recent challenges and changes within the federal workforce. President Biggs and Secretary-Treasurer Henson recognized and applauded President Biden for his quick and decisive reversal of numerous anti-worker, anti-union actions by the previous administration, while also noting that there is still much to be done.
President Biggs said, “While the message at the top is loud and clear, there are still some holdouts within specific agencies who haven’t gotten the word that there’s a new President in town and that the days of violating the rights of federal workers are over.” Secretary-Treasurer Henson added, “We will continue to fight every day until the last federal manager gets in line or gets out of the way.”
Western Federal Area Vice President Jamie Uyeunten noted the spirit of solidarity and collaboration that marked this year's gathering. “We have weathered unprecedented attacks on our members and our right as a union to exist,” Uyeunten noted. “I want to thank the leaders who participated in the Federal Caucus this week, we continue to build our union stronger and better prepared for the fights that lie ahead.”
Eastern Federal Area Vice President Renee McKenzie spoke about the tremendous amount of work that the group was able to accomplish during its meeting. “We came here to roll up our sleeves and get to work,” McKenzie noted. “We return home from this Federal Caucus meeting with a renewed sense of purpose, better equipped to fiercely and effectively advocate for the rights of our members in the communities where we live and work together.”
Office of Personnel Management Deputy Director Rob Shriver updated the Federal Caucus on recent initiatives implemented by the Biden-Harris administration to support workers on the job and respect the role of unions in the federal sector. Federal Workers Alliance (FWA) Executive Director Steven Lenkart also spoke, focusing on expanding the labor movement by furthering protections for federal workers to exercise their right to join a union. Lenkart also thanked IFPTE for its leadership with the FWA, saying, “Faraz Khan and I speak almost every day about issues affecting your members, and IFPTE plays a key role in shaping the agenda for those unions who represent workers throughout the civil service.”
George Hamilton, President of MESA/IFPTE Local 27, which represents NASA workers in Alabama and Tennessee, thanked Uyeunten and McKenzie for their stewardship of the Federal Caucus. “I’ve been involved with the union for many years, and never have I seen this Caucus so united, so energized, and so prepared to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities that will make us stronger in the future.”