Federal workers lose paid time for union representation under new bill
H.R. 2676 — No Union Time on the Taxpayer’s Dime Act · Filed by Ben Cline (R-VA) · 5 cosponsors · Introduced Apr 7, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill eliminates 'official time'—the practice of allowing federal employees who are union representatives to conduct union business during paid work hours. Under current law, these employees can spend part of their workday on union activities while being paid by taxpayers. The bill requires all union-related work to happen only during employees' unpaid time off.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole operative function is to restrict a specific labor-relations practice—paid official time for union representatives—by amending the statute that currently permits it. It is a direct, narrow policy change to federal labor law, not a broader appropriations, tax, or regulatory measure.
What the text implies
- Federal employees who are union stewards, negotiators, or grievance representatives will lose paid time to perform these functions, potentially reducing the capacity of unions to represent members in workplace disputes, safety complaints, and contract negotiations.
- The bill does not address whether employees can use unpaid leave (vacation, personal time) for union duties, or whether employers must grant unpaid leave for such purposes—implementation may depend on existing leave policies and labor law.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who it affects
Federal employees and union members face a concrete cost: loss of paid time for union representation, grievance handling, and collective-bargaining activities—functions that historically protect worker rights and workplace safety. However, taxpayers gain a direct fiscal benefit: elimination of paid time spent on non-governmental union business.