Legal Definitions - federal labor union

A federal labor union is an organization specifically formed to represent the interests of employees who work for agencies of the United States federal government. These unions advocate for their members regarding various aspects of their employment, including wages, benefits, working conditions, workplace safety, and grievance procedures. They engage in collective bargaining and discussions with federal agencies and sometimes with Congress or other government bodies to improve the terms and conditions of federal employment.

Here are some examples illustrating federal labor unions:

• Example 1: The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 123 represents a group of administrative assistants and program specialists working at a regional office of the Department of Veterans Affairs. When the agency proposed changes to the office's telework policy, AFGE Local 123 engaged in negotiations with management to ensure the new policy was fair and beneficial for its members.

  Explanation: AFGE Local 123 is a federal labor union because it is an organized body representing employees of a U.S. federal government agency (Department of Veterans Affairs) and is actively advocating for their employment terms, specifically regarding telework policy.

• Example 2: The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) represents employees across numerous federal agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. When Congress was debating a new federal budget that could impact employee pay raises, NTEU lobbied lawmakers to ensure federal workers received fair compensation adjustments.

  Explanation: NTEU functions as a federal labor union by representing a broad spectrum of employees who work for various U.S. federal government departments. Its actions, such as lobbying Congress for fair pay, demonstrate its role in advocating for the collective interests of federal employees.

• Example 3: The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is the exclusive bargaining representative for air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). NATCA regularly negotiates with the FAA on critical issues such as staffing levels, training standards, and safety protocols to ensure optimal working conditions and public safety.

  Explanation: NATCA is a federal labor union because it represents a specific profession (air traffic controllers) whose members are employed by a U.S. federal government agency (FAA). Its negotiations with the FAA on employment and operational matters clearly illustrate its function as a union for federal employees.