May 8, 2008

M E M O R A N D U M

TO:            Chapter Presidents and Legislative Coordinators

RE:            Testimony on Hiring in the Federal Government

SUMMARY:  Today, NTEU participated in a hearing before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.  The hearing was entitled, “From Candidates to Change Makers:  Recruiting and Hiring the Next Generation of Federal Employees”.

            NTEU appeared before Sen. Akaka’s subcommittee to discuss ways to improve hiring and recruiting and retaining federal employees.  I brought to the subcommittee’s attention the fact that the Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP) is being used in a way that circumvents its original purpose as an “intern” program.

            I also pointed out that it has been years since we have had a comprehensive scheme that provides easy access to federal jobs.  I urged OPM to take a leadership role in designing such a scheme.

            There was a serious discussion of the flexibilities available in the government to recruit and retain federal employees.  I offered to work with the subcommittee to come up with a way to make sure these flexibilities are actually funded.  As you know, when agency budgets are held up for months in Congress or when all we have is a Continuing Resolution, agencies need to find places to cut their budgets.  Often, bonuses, relocation assistance, or student loan repayments are cut first.

                                                                                    Colleen M. Kelley