Presidential PLATFORM
Chapter 282 President, Anthony W. Lee, JD
Dear NTEU Chapter 282 Members,
We’re relieved and grateful to welcome you back after more than 40 days of uncertainty caused by the government shutdown. Last week, Congress passed and the President signed legislation to reopen the federal government. As part of this bill, FDA was among the few agencies whose funding was approved through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2026.
Employees were expected to return to work on Thursday or Friday of last week. If you were unable to report and have not yet contacted your supervisor, we strongly recommend submitting a leave request for those missed days to ensure your time and attendance records are accurate.
Back Pay Update
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) has issued guidance regarding out-of-cycle payments for employees impacted by the shutdown. Key points include:
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Lump Sum Payment: Employees who were Excepted, Partially Excepted, or Not Excepted will receive a one-time lump sum covering October 1 – November 1, 2025.
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Pay Periods Covered: PPE October 4, October 18, and November 1.
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Leave and Earnings Statement (LES): No separate LES will be issued for this payment. Instead, retroactive earnings will appear in your November 15 LES under “Special Pay.”
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Standard Deductions Will Apply: Including taxes, retirement contributions, FEHB, TSP, union dues, and others.
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Some Deductions Will Not Apply: Such as dental/vision, long-term care, and voluntary allotments. Employees may need to make arrangements directly with third parties.
Please review your time and attendance records for accuracy. Corrections should be made in the timekeeping system or reported to your timekeeper.
FDA has communicated that back pay is expected to be disbursed by November 21, 2025, or sooner.
To see a copy of the full notice from DFAS see the attached document.
What’s Next for Our Union
NTEU Chapter 282 remains laser-focused on restoring your full union rights. Our organizing efforts are gaining momentum, and we invite you to be part of the movement. Stay tuned for details about our upcoming chapter meeting, where you’ll learn how to join the organizing committee and help shape our path forward.
We recognize the stress and disruption this shutdown has caused. Thank you for your resilience, your service, and your solidarity. We’re proud to stand with you—now and always.
In solidarity,
Anthony
New(s) at 282
FILL OUT THE RIF FORM!
NTEU will fight back against this RIF through every available avenue. The administration is trying to rush this RIF through without resistance. That’s exactly why it issued an executive order on March 27 designed to stop NTEU from fighting for you.
But we aren’t going anywhere! We have filed multiple lawsuits against the administration to stop their illegal union busting and to ensure we can continue to represent you in the courts, grievances, etc. In fact, one lawsuit we filed in February already covers this RIF at HHS.
As for the RIF notices sent today, if you are an impacted employee, the first thing you should do is review the Retention Standing information in the “Notice of RIF” attachment. You should especially review the following for accuracy:
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Veterans’ Preference
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Most Recent Performance Ratings
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Two Service Computation Dates (RIF & Adjusted RIF)
As the letter states, if you believe any of the Retention Standing information is inaccurate, you should contact your supervisor or email OHR-General-Inquiries@hhs.gov immediately.
HHS also included an “Acknowledgement of Receipt” and “Authorization for Release of Information” in the email notice to impacted employees. The notice requests that the signed documents be returned within 14 days. We are reviewing these notices and will provide further information soon. We recommend not signing and returning those documents at this time.
The second thing you should do, if you haven’t already, is retain copies of your most recent SF-50, Leave and Earnings statements, any performance documents, and passwords for your TSP and Employee Personal Page.
The third thing you should do is urge your member of Congress to act to stop mass layoffs and protect union rights – now. Go to NTEU’s Legislative Action Center and send them a message today (REMINDER: Do not use a government email address when sending a message through this system.)
This senseless and destructive RIF not only harms impacted employees, it deprives the American people of the vital services our members – all experienced and talented civil servants – provide for them every day.
To help us assess the scope of the RIF and to assist us in fighting back, we are asking impacted employees to fill out this FORM.
We will update you soon with additional information. Reach out to your NTEU chapter leadership if you have any questions.
Trump has taken illegal actions to remove the ability of close to 1.5 million federal employees at dozens of agencies across the federal government to belong to a union!
This is just the latest action in the administration’s assault on federal employees. They are eliminating your bargaining rights, conducting unlawful mass firings, dismantling agencies and undermining critical services provided to the American people.
WE MUST TAKE A STAND!
We need everyone in this fight. Solidarity is our strength. We have each other’s back and always will. All NTEU members, your family and your friends must contact members of Congress each and every day. Take Action and ask your members of Congress to stand up and help put a stop to these attacks.
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NTEU Chapter 282 has filed a formal petition with the FDA and GSA regarding the ongoing issue of Legionella bacteria contamination in several FDA buildings.
The presence of Legionella bacteria in the water in any FDA building is unacceptable.
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The union strongly opposes the declaration of "full remediation" until:
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Every building has been definitively shown to be free of Legionella bacteria.
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All recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including those outlined in the CDC Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE), have been fully implemented.
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Crucially, the CDC evaluation and recommendations are still outstanding.
Join the Petition:
We urge you to sign NTEU282's petition demanding a safe and healthy work environment.
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Together, we can ensure the safety and well-being of all FDA employees.
NTEU 282's very own Podcast it out
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