Lawmakers push to end government workers' paid union time

In April 2023, Senator Mike Lee of Utah and Representative Ben Cline of Virginia reintroduced the 'No Union Time on the Taxpayer's Dime Act,' aimed at prohibiting federal government employees from participating in union-related activities during their official working hours without using their personal time. This legislation is intended to reform the existing practice known as 'official time,' a provision established in 1978 under the Civil Service Reform Act, which permits federal employees to work on union activities while still receiving pay from taxpayer dollars. According to the lawmakers, this practice costs millions annually, with reports from the Office of Personnel Management indicating that federal employees spent approximately 2.6 million hours on union activities in 2019, leading to an estimated cost of $134.9 million to taxpayers. Advocates of the bill argue this reform will enhance government accountability and ensure taxpayer funds are allocated efficiently, stating, 'Taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for federal employees to conduct union business instead of fulfilling their official duties.' If passed, the bill would require union-related activities to be conducted only during non-duty hours. Union officials, however, contend that official time is critical for labor rights, asserting it allows employees to address grievances, negotiate contracts, and engage in discussions with management effectively. They believe that removing this provision could undermine labor-management relations and diminish the overall voice of employees within federal agencies. In Texas, lawmakers are pursuing similar reforms to prevent the misuse of taxpayer resources by unions, including efforts to ban automatic payroll deductions for union dues. These actions highlight a growing concern across multiple states regarding the appropriate application of taxpayer dollars in relation to union activities and government functions, indicating a potential shift in labor relations and union engagement nationwide. As the Biden administration noted an increase in the number of federal employees in unions, the ongoing discussion around official time remains a contentious issue fraught with diverse perspectives on labor rights and taxpayer responsibilities.