NTEU Chapter 228, Germantown, MD

08/31/2026

There’s no better time than now to support and join your union.

Why Join the NTEU UNION?

Unions are powerful; membership empowers us to advocate for your rights! Discover more in the latest Political Insider. https://bit.ly/3TrWZud

08/31/2026

Federal government employees, families, and friends, I need you to urge Congress to support a Fair Pay Raise for ALL Federal Employees

Federal government employees, families, and friends—it’s time to take action! While a pay raise for law enforcement is appreciated, the president’s plan to freeze pay for most federal employees is both unfair and disrespectful to those who, like all Americans, are facing rising costs.

Did you know the White House does not have the final say? That’s why we need your support. Join us in urging Congress to reject the president’s plan and provide ALL federal employees with a fair pay raise next year. Take action now: https://bit.ly/4

08/27/2026

Federal Workforce Changes and Opportunities: What You Need to Know

Recent Trends in Federal Employment

Some policymakers have advocated for reducing the size of the federal government. However, recent data shows that thousands of federal employees who participated in the Deferred Resignation Program (DRP) have essentially been replaced. According to an analysis by the Partnership for Public Service, over 20,000 employees who left through the DRP had their agency and occupational roles later refilled within the same category. This turnover has led to a loss of institutional knowledge and capacity across agencies.

The Importance of Federal Employees and Current Opportunities

Federal government employees play a vital role in serving the nation. That’s why agencies are now working to backfill the jobs of many dedicated employees who left through the DRP. If you’re seeking employment, there are new opportunities available in public service. Consider applying for a rewarding career in the federal workforce.

Did the DRP Really Save Money?

In 2025, civil service reforms resulted in the termination of up to 55,000 executive branch employees, with another 17,000 let go through the Restructuring and Reorganization (RIF) process. Overall, the broader federal workforce contracted by about 10%, with approximately 300,000 employees leaving through firings, buyouts, and resignations. While the DRP was intended to reduce costs, many vacated positions have since been refilled, raising questions about the program’s long-term economic impact and whether the intended savings were fully realized.

How the DRP Paid Leave Works

* No Work Required: Employees who accepted the DRP were put on paid administrative leave and instructed not to perform government duties.
* Continued Pay and Benefits: Participants continued to receive salary, accrue leave, and maintain health and retirement benefits until their official separation date.
* Leave Payouts: Upon separation, participants received a lump-sum payout for any unused annual leave.

Taking Another Job While on DRP

* Permission to Work: DRP participants were permitted to seek and accept non-federal or private-sector jobs during their paid leave.
* Ethics and Conflicts: Employees were encouraged to consult agency ethics officials about post-government employment to avoid conflicts of interest or legal restrictions.

Nonetheless, the Federal Government is hiring,

The government puts many jobs on the General Schedule (GS) grade scale which sets pay based on experience. The higher the grade means the more experience required.

08/21/2026

Trump’s campaign against government workers for work-from-home practices has been met with criticism. OPM Director Kupor, however, claims that Trump filmed a video in front of a blank wall to avoid suspicion of teleworking.

While acknowledging the benefits of telework, such as retaining a successful workforce and maintaining relationships, OPM Director Kupor also emphasizes the importance of transparency.

Federal Employees agree with OPM Director Kupor’s assertion that telework is highly effective. Even political appointees recognize its advantages. It’s crucial that federal employees have equal opportunities, regardless of their work arrangement.

https://fortune.com/2026/08/20/opm-director-scott-kupor-record-video-blank-wall-work-from-home-return-to-office/?fbclid=IwZnRzaAT1calwZG9mBWZkaWQWUM7syh-yNO7Eoy_TMBexasHnbqB3_WV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5Lur8WUF8DbAfM_j04yzaVWhg_tcLojsHUAJJSulhj3lSuD3t6knAMcEPVIg_aem_j8VE1l7BR2y767O5lz2faA

“I was in my bedroom,” OPM director Scott Kupor said in an all-hands meeting this week. “I was trying to find something that was not recognizable as being in my house, basically.”

08/11/2026

VOTE FOR CHANGES

While many people focus on calls to “make government smaller” and criticize government inefficiency, there have been no substantial changes in taxes, revenues, or the persistent problems of waste, fraud, and mismanagement. Meanwhile, the healthcare industry has quietly taken advantage of the public behind the scenes. The sector has evolved into a massive monopoly, posing a glaring conflict of interest.

Take CVS, for example. The company has consolidated enormous power by acquiring a wide range of healthcare providers, eroding genuine competition and eliminating the need for outside negotiation.

As someone deeply concerned about this issue, I agree with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), who recently addressed these growing concerns. CVS Caremark exemplifies the dangers of monopoly power: the company owns pharmacies, healthcare providers, and health insurance.

Have you ever tried to get a prescription approved by CVS, only to be told it’s approved—then suddenly, it’s not, or you’re required to use a generic, the generic isn’t available or needed?

We are constantly subjected to this runaround, which is incredibly frustrating. Many of you likely voted for better healthcare providers, but meaningful change has yet to materialize.

Representative Ocasio-Cortez recently questioned CVS Health CEO David Joyner about the company’s “captive strategy” and extensive vertical integration. She highlighted that CVS owns the insurer Aetna, Oak Street Health clinics, CVS Pharmacies, the pharmacy benefit manager CVS Caremark, and even the drug manufacturer Cordavis. This structure gives CVS unprecedented control over patient care—and the ability to inflate drug prices.

To see how Representative Ocasio-Cortez breaks down CVS Health’s vertical integration strategy step-by-step, check out the viral clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayNKCNhoD7w

If you weren’t aware, CVS Health controls a vast portfolio of retail pharmacies, health insurance, pharmacy benefit management, and primary care medical services.

CVS Health and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield are completely separate, independent entities. CVS does not own CareFirst. However, the two companies have a business partnership: CVS Caremark serves as the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) for CareFirst members.

Major Subsidiaries and Brands:

CVS Pharmacy: The retail drugstore chain with thousands of locations across the U.S.
Aetna: A major health insurance provider acquired by CVS in 2018.
CVS Caremark: A large pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) handling prescription drug plans and claims processing.
Oak Street Health: A network of value-based primary care clinics focused on older adults.
MinuteClinic: Walk-in medical clinics located inside select CVS Pharmacy stores.
Omnicare: Provider of long-term care pharmacy services.
Coram: Provider of home infusion and tube-feeding therapy services.
CVS Specialty: Specialized pharmacy services for complex, high-cost, and rare medical conditions.

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08/11/2026

The media turn to NTEU for the federal employee perspective of federal employees. Find the latest headlines:

August 6, 2026
IRS workers' union joins lawsuit targeting Trump's 'Anti-Weaponization Fund'
August 6, 2026
Union representing IRS workers asks judge to block Trump tax audit immunity deal
August 6, 2026
Union representing IRS workers asks judge to block Trump tax audit immunity deal
August 6, 2026
IRS Workers Union Wants Judge To Block Trump’s Tax Audit Immunity Deal
August 6, 2026
IRS Labor Union Joins Lawsuit Against President Trump’s “Anti-Weaponization” Slush Fund, Audit Immunity
August 6, 2026
IRS workers group joins Jan. 6 ‘slush fund’ suit, seeking to block Trump audit carve-out
August 6, 2026
IRS Union Joins Opposition to Tax Audit Immunity for Trump
August 6, 2026
Lawsuit Takes Aim at Deal Granting Trump Sweeping Tax Protections
August 4, 2026
US farm agency staff warn trade, research, aid programs at risk
August 3, 2026
Senate Bill Would Extend Paid Leave to Federal Employees Facing Family or Medical Emergencies
July 21, 2026
Another Ruling Favors Union over Canceling of Offsite Work—This Time, at IRS
July 20, 2026
Arbitrator restores telework for IRS workers
July 16, 2026
National Park Service workers in Rocky Mountain region unionize, with more votes expected soon
July 7, 2026
Glacier employees vote to unionize
July 4, 2026
DOGE self-deletes on July 4th. The grand experiment fell apart long before that
July 2, 2026
USDA expects ‘significant number’ of staff facing relocation to leave their jobs
July 2, 2026
NTEU Sues Treasury, HHS over Backlog of ‘Reasonable Accommodation’ Telework Requests

NTEU represents employees in 38 federal agencies and offices.

08/11/2026

Federal Employees’ Documentary: Heist

The documentary “Heist” delves into the devastating consequences of the federal government’s actions on federal employees. Contrary to the claims of the Department of the Treasury (DOGE), the documentary exposes that the elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse was not achieved but rather worsened. This led to the loss of thousands of skilled and experienced employees, jeopardizing the public services we depend on.

In 2025, as hundreds of thousands of federal employees were laid off, a documentary film crew captured the emotional aftermath in Washington, D.C. The resulting film, “Heist,” is now an Emmy-nominated short documentary that deeply resonates with anyone connected to the federal workforce. The film features agencies such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), all of which are represented by the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). This highlights the extensive impact of the events. The prominent coverage of USAID’s dismantling further emphasizes the far-reaching consequences.

“Heist” excels at humanizing last year’s events, revealing not only the devastation faced by fired employees but also the ripple effects on the American public. The film is a moving experience, especially for those close to the subject, as the emotional weight is immediate and profound.

It is staggering to consider how such an unethical attack could harm so many Americans, including federal employees and even some former supporters of this administration. The fallout affected everyone, even those not directly fired, who were left to pick up the pieces and continue their work amidst unprecedented disruption.

The purpose of this attack remains unclear. Did you notice any improvements, such as tax changes or positive reforms, after the chaos in the federal government? I have not, and I suspect you haven’t either. Instead, the entire nation has felt the negative impact of this administration’s actions.

I encourage you to watch this powerful documentary, which chronicles the “free-for-all attitude of cruelty” shown toward federal employees who lost their livelihoods. Filmed at the outset of the second Trump administration, “Heist” offers a sobering look at the human and societal costs of mass federal job cuts.

https://heistthedocumentary.film

08/07/2026

The National Teachers Union (NTEU) is taking legal action against the Administration to safeguard its members.

It is unacceptable that any federal employee should be compelled to carry out potentially unlawful directives or defy direct orders, risking their job security.

For more information, please refer to the following link: https://www.nteu.org/media-center/News%20Releases/2026/08/06/IRSAmendedComplaint

08/07/2026

The National Teachers Union (NTEU) is taking legal action against the Administration to safeguard its members. It is unacceptable that any federal employee should be compelled to carry out potentially unlawful directives or defy direct orders, risking their job security.

For more information, please refer to the following link: https://www.nteu.org/media-center/News%20Releases/2026/08/06/IRSAmendedComplaint

08/01/2026

Federal Employees’ Documentary: Heist

The documentary “Heist” delves into the devastating consequences of the federal government’s actions on federal employees. Contrary to the claims of the Department of the Treasury (DOGE), the documentary argues that the elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse was not achieved and instead led to the loss of thousands of skilled and experienced employees, jeopardizing the public services many Americans rely on.

In 2025, as hundreds of thousands of federal employees were laid off, a documentary film crew captured the emotional aftermath in Washington, D.C. The resulting film, “Heist,” is now an Emmy-nominated short documentary that resonates deeply with those connected to the federal workforce. The film features agencies including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), all represented by the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). It also highlights the dismantling of USAID, underscoring the broad impact of these events.

The film humanizes the experiences of affected employees while illustrating the broader consequences for the American public. For many viewers, especially those with ties to public service, the emotional impact is immediate and profound.

The documentary raises questions about the purpose and outcomes of these actions. Supporters of the film's perspective argue that the disruption harmed federal employees, strained public institutions, and affected services relied upon by millions of Americans. They contend that any promised improvements failed to materialize and that the effects were felt across the country.

I encourage you to watch this powerful documentary, which chronicles what it describes as a "free-for-all attitude of cruelty" toward federal employees who lost their livelihoods. Filmed during the early period of the second Trump administration, “Heist” offers a sobering examination of the human and societal costs of large-scale federal workforce reductions.

HEIST - a documentary about the Trump Administration's DOGE and its dismantling of federal agencies and purging of federal employees. Director Rebecca Cammisa.