NFFE Newsroom

On June 19, we commemorate the emancipation of the last enslaved Black people in the United States. Despite the freedoms granted by the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it was not able to be enforced in many places until two years later, following the end of the Civil War.

This Memorial Day is particularly solemn as we remember those who have lost their lives in service to the United States of America, and we also remember those who have passed while fighting for the health and safety of others during the coronavirus pandemic.

This year, under the flexibility provided by Secretary Vilsack, all USDA workers can enjoy the two hours of leave granted as a token of appreciation in recognition of their dedication to public service.

The benefit, articulated in Chapter 27, Section 9 of the Master Agreement, originally provided $300 every three years to subsidize the cost of the very expensive, Agency-required safety boots. In October of 2020, the benefit increased to $500 and the three-year period for reimbursement was reset.

For the last several years, NFFE promoted the idea of a wholesale look at wildland firefighter pay and career paths as a way to sustain and increase the total number of firefighters in order to meet the growing demand for fire services

Update on the Rescheduling of the Remainder of NFFE’s 51st National Convention: During our virtual convention day on October 5, 2020, the Convention dealt with a limited agenda, focusing on business necessary for the conduct of the NFFE National Officer Elections. At the end of the day on October 5, the Convention was adjourned until…

On April 8th, the Denver regional office of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) confirmed that NFFE-IAM had won an election to represent over 110 federal employees at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Animal Care Program.

President Erwin continued to address the issues important to NFFE members including pay parity and pay caps, rolling back FERS employee contributions, protecting the FERS annuity supplement, creating a government-wide family leave benefit, continuing the A-76 mortarium, returning probation to one year...

NFFE’s 2021 Organizing Donation Program incentivizes Locals to develop and execute strategic organizing plans in consultation with their National Business Representative and the NFFE National Organizing Department.

For the VA, where union members were hit particularly hard by the Trump executive orders, NFFE received notification that the VA will roll back any CBA changes, restore official time as previously agreed, stop requiring rent for official use office space, allow agency email for employee communication, and allow access and use of standard equipment to fulfill the union’s legally mandated obligations.