ATR Supports the “No Union Time on the Taxpayer’s Dime Act”

Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Congressman Ben Cline (R-Va.) have reintroduced the No Union Time on the Taxpayer’s Dime Act, aiming to prohibit federal employees from engaging in union activities during official working hours. This legislation seeks to eliminate the practice known as “official time,” where federal employees perform union-related duties while being compensated by taxpayer-funded salaries.

Under current law, federal employees are permitted to conduct union business during their official work hours without any reduction in pay. The No Union Time on the Taxpayer’s Dime Act proposes to explicitly forbid this practice.

The bill states, “Any activities performed by an employee relating to the business of a labor organization shall be performed during the time the employee is in a non-duty status.”

Senator Lee emphasized the importance of this reform, stating, “Taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for federal employees to conduct union business instead of fulfilling their official duties.”

Representative Cline has echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need for accountability in the federal workforce to ensure that public funds serve the American people rather than private union interests.

Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) strongly supports the passage of this legislation. ATR has consistently advocated for policies that ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and not diverted to subsidize union activities.

Previously, ATR endorsed the Protecting Taxpayers’ Wallets Act, which would require unions to reimburse the government for expenses incurred during official time and any taxpayer-funded resources used by the union.

The reintroduction of the No Union Time on the Taxpayer’s Dime Act represents a significant step toward enhancing transparency and efficiency within the federal workforce. By eliminating official time, the bill aims to ensure that federal employees dedicate their working hours solely to their official duties, thereby serving the interests of taxpayers more effectively.