NFFE Newsroom

Earlier this week, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) responded to correspondence from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack with a letter outlining solutions and next steps to help alleviate retention problems among federal wildland firefighters. The proposed solutions include permanent pay raises, increased funding and staffing, and the development of a robust occupational series, among other things.

The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) is issuing a survey to better understand federal employees’ experience and satisfaction with the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). We invite all federal workers, members and non-members, from all agencies to take the survey.

Last week, the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force released updated guidance regarding COVID policies for federal employees and contractors. The protocols remain largely unchanged since the previous updated guidance released in mid-August.

Yesterday, National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) President Randy Erwin sent a letter to the Labor Relations Division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture with comments for the agency’s draft regulation on its Anti-Harassment Program. The letter urges USDA to include the union’s comments on the draft regulation, which aim to ensure that harassment reports are properly addressed and do not result in retaliation.

Do you have student loans? You may be eligible for thousands of dollars in loan forgiveness as a federal employee through the Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Join the webinar on September 29 for more info.

Today, NFFE President Randy Erwin sent a letter to the Senate, urging lawmakers to introduce the Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Classification and Pay Parity Act:

Last week, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack responded to NFFE’s correspondence on necessary reforms for federal wildland firefighters. This summer, NFFE National President Randy Erwin sent four separate letters to Secretary Vilsack, emphasizing issues with firefighter pay, their occupational series, and housing for Forest Service employees.

Yesterday, the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force released updated guidance regarding COVID policies for federal employees. Effective as of Monday, there are three actions agencies are directed to take by Monday, August 22 to align workplace policies with updated CDC guidance.

Two NFFE family members, Kaden Braaflat and Makayla Wiltse, have been awarded scholarships from the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA) as they head to college this Fall. The scholarship program is available to NFFE members as part of their union membership.

The Free College program is continuing for new and existing students who enrolled on or before July 18, 2022. Registration is currently suspended for future terms.