The American Federation of Government Employees attacked the Trump administration Friday, saying the White House’s effort to highlight the amount of time federal government workers spend doing union business instead of their jobs was an attempt to “politicize” the practice and a “new low” by the administration.
The White House’s Office of Personnel Management on Thursday issued a report stating that the practice called “official time” cost taxpayers $175 million in 2016, up from $162 million in 2014, the last time the practice was surveyed. The total number of official time hours was 3.6 million, up 100,000 hours from 2014.
“OPM should be ashamed for attempting to politicize a system that encourages federal agencies and employee representatives to work together proactively to establish constructive work environments, which deliver better services to taxpayers, and saves them money,” AFGE President J. David Cox Sr. said.
He disputed reports that official time was used for political activities, arguing the workers used it only for representing workers in issues such as improving workplace health and safety and representing employees in grievances.
“The cost of official time amounts to just one-tenth of 1 percent of all of the salaries and benefits paid to federal employees,” Cox said. “Yet, the benefits to the federal workforce and taxpayers are many, including improved productivity, efficient delivery of services, and agency cost savings.”
Official time was first allowed under the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act and is viewed as a trade-off for certain limitations put on federal worker unions, such as prohibitions on strikes. Its use is widespread and increased during President Barack Obama’s administration. Thursday’s report indicated that the Trump administration intends to crack down on the practice.
“The data shows that taxpayer-funded official time is at a steady increase. This administration is passionate about protecting hardworking Americans and the use of their tax dollars. OPM will continue useful practices for monitoring and reporting on the use of official time and sharing these practices across the government to assist agencies in strengthening internal controls and increasing transparency, accountability, and accuracy,” OPM Director Jeff Pon said Thursday.
