Federal workers lose paid time for union representation
S. 1313 — No Union Time on the Taxpayer's Dime Act · Filed by Mike Lee (R-UT) · 1 cosponsor · Introduced Apr 7, 2025 · Referred to committee
Your members of Congress
Enter a ZIP to see where your representative and both senators stood on this bill.
Looked up on this device — your ZIP is never stored on our servers.
What it does
This bill eliminates 'official time'—a federal benefit that allows union representatives to conduct union business during work hours while being paid by taxpayers. Under current law, federal employees can spend a portion of their paid work time on union activities. This bill repeals that allowance and requires all union-related work to happen on the employee's own time, off the clock.
Why we flagged it
The bill directly amends federal labor law to eliminate a specific workplace benefit (official time for union representatives). It is a straightforward policy choice about the allocation of paid work time, not a hidden rider or concealed mechanism.
What the text implies
- Elimination of official time may reduce union capacity to represent members in workplace disputes, grievances, and contract negotiations, potentially shifting power toward management in federal labor relations.
- Federal employees who are union stewards or officers will need to conduct union business entirely outside paid hours, effectively reducing their compensation for union duties relative to non-union peers.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who it affects
Federal employees and union members lose a workplace benefit (paid time for union representation), which may reduce their ability to organize and advocate collectively. However, taxpayers stop funding union activity during paid work hours, which some view as a public-interest gain.