Tomorrow is the BIG DAY: Reverse the RIF Rally- 5/14
STAND UP. SPEAK OUT. SHOW UP.
REVERSE THE RIF RALLY
Hosted by NTEU Chapter 282
Fighting for Our Jobs – Fighting for Justice
Calling all FDA Employees!
Your union—NTEU 282—is taking a stand to fight for the reinstatement of your fellow co-workers impacted by the recent Reduction in Force (RIF).
Many of our dedicated colleagues across HHS have been placed on administrative leave and face separation from federal service on June 2, 2025. These are public servants who have given their all—and now face job loss through no fault of their own.
We will not be silent. We will not be still. We are taking action.
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: In Front of the FDA White Oak Campus
10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993
(Rally will be held outside the main gate – rain or shine)
For those unable to park on FDA Campus limited street parking is nearby and a few spaces are available at the Hillandale Local Park next to WO Campus.
Let us know your coming: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1352977595409?aff=oddtdtcreator
Why You Should Attend:
• Show solidarity with your fellow employees.
• Help send a strong message to FDA leadership and HHS.
• Be a part of history as we push to Reverse the RIF and restore justice.
• Hear from union leaders, RIFd employees and supporters of federal workers.
All attendees to the rally should use 1 hour of annual leave to attend. Your presence could make all the difference.
Let’s come together to protect our workforce and reclaim fairness.
Together, we are stronger. Together, we are NTEU.
In Solidarity,
NTEU Chapter 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:
-
Veterans’ Preference
-
Most Recent Performance Ratings
-
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.
Presidential PLATFORM
Chapter 282 President, Anthony W. Lee, JD
Dear Chapter 282,
​
Hello, NTEU Chapter 282 Members!
Happy May Day! I'm excited to share the results of yesterday's NTEU Chapter 282 elections. We have a fantastic team ready to lead us, bringing strong union leadership and a dedicated commitment to fighting for every employee's rights here at the FDA.
Based on the nominations and elections process, the newly elected officers who now form our NTEU Chapter 282 Executive Board for the three-year term beginning today, May 1, 2025, are:
​
-
President: Anthony Lee (elected unopposed)
-
Executive Vice President: Helen Robinson (elected unopposed)
-
Treasurer: Jason Lewis (elected unopposed)
-
Vice President (CDER): Dr. Amy Skinner and Dr. Michael Theodorakis (elected by plurality of votes)
-
Vice President (CDRH): Kimberly Miles (elected by plurality of votes)
-
Vice President (Office of the Commissioner): Klara Jenkins (elected by plurality of votes)
-
Vice President (CBER): Kevin Matthews (elected unopposed)
-
Vice President (Human Foods Program): Dr. Jesse Lunzer (elected unopposed)
-
Vice President (CTP): Shovaughn Chism (elected unopposed)
-
Vice President (OII): Danita Dyer (elected unopposed)
-
Vice President (CVM): Dr. Haile Yancy (elected unopposed)
Please join me in extending our warmest congratulations to these dedicated individuals! They are union volunteers here to serve you. For any union-related needs within your center or office, please don't hesitate to reach out to your respective Vice President listed above, Helen, or me.
Remember, you can also contact your union stewards for assistance. You can find the current list of stewards here: Contact a Steward | NTEU282, and this page will be updated with any new stewards on an ongoing basis.
Finally, I want to bring your attention to an important event tonight. Please remember to watch MSNBC from 9-10 PM ET for a special federal employee Townhall Meeting. This will be an opportunity to hear directly from federal employees who have been impacted by RIFs and firings, sharing their experiences and the impact these actions have had to them and the services federal employees provide to the public.
​
This is a time to build power together. Join us!
​
In Solidarity,
Anthony Lee
​
Join the Union:
​
If you haven’t already, consider joining the union: https://www.nteu.org/join . It’s a powerful way to have your voice heard and actively participate in shaping our workplace.
Your Voice Matters:
-
Attend the upcoming meetings.
-
Engage in constructive dialogue.
-
Raise any concerns or questions you may have.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment. Our shared efforts will shape the future of the Human Foods Program and FDA.
BREAKING: 282's very own Podcast it out
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.
​
New(s) at 282
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.
-
The union strongly opposes the declaration of "full remediation" until:
-
Every building has been definitively shown to be free of Legionella bacteria.
-
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.
-
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.
​
Together, we can ensure the safety and well-being of all FDA employees.
Find out more about the CBA