Dear Representative:
On behalf of the 12.5 million workers and 60 affiliate unions represented by the AFL-CIO, I urge you to oppose the following amendments to H.R. 8070, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025. These amendments threaten fair representation for federal workers and attack thousands of workers’ fundamental right to collectively bargain.
Oppose Perry Amendment (Floor #56)
This amendment is part of an effort to undermine official time. Official time permits federal union representatives to fulfill their duties of fair representation regardless of an employee's membership status. Official time also enables federal managers and employee representatives to collaboratively resolve workplace conflict, enhancing government efficiency and productivity.
Oppose Scott Amendment (Floor #349)
This amendment would strip collective bargaining rights from thousands of Dual Status Technicians (DST), a class of DoD employees. The Supreme Court upheld these rights last year in a 7-2 decision written by Justice Thomas in Ohio Adjutant General’s Department v. Federal Labor Relations Authority. Collective bargaining rights, both in the federal government and the private sector, are crucial for promoting health, safety, and fairness in the workplace. Enacting this amendment would reverse that Supreme Court decision and eliminate collective bargaining rights for DSTs.
We strongly urge you to oppose these amendments to H.R. 8070, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025. Protecting collective bargaining rights and fair representation by voting against these amendments will help ensure that our federal employees continue to have the rights and protections they deserve as they work to support our nation’s defense.
Sincerely,
Jody Calemine
Director, Government Affairs