HR 1722, the Telework Improvements Act, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Representatives John Sarbanes (D-MD), Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA), was passed today.  

 

This is important legislation that has long been supported by NTEU.  Telework is a bill with multiple wins. It saves money for federal taxpayers by allowing agencies to reduce office space costs and improve productivity. Local taxpayers save money by curbing costs for road construction, pollution abatement, and commuting costs. Federal employees who prefer to live in rural or suburban areas could still benefit from federal employment without suffering long, daily commutes to federal offices in urban centers. The bill also includes an NTEU supported provision for our members at the Patent and Trademark Office that will allow even further advances in their far-reaching telework program. 

 

            With NTEU support, Telework legislation has already passed the Senate. Today’s House votes reverses a previous House vote where this bill failed to obtain the needed 2/3 votes under a suspension of the rules. 

 

Representative Sarbanes and the other sponsors of this bill, along with Federal Workforce Subcommittee Chairman Steve Lynch (D-MA) were extremely helpful in the difficult struggle to pass this bill. Today’s debate included adoption of a Motion to Recommit with Instructions offered by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) to deny telework to federal employees who have committed certain infractions, including tax liens, government assistance violations and pornography viewing offenses. It also limits the use of official time while teleworking.   

 

            Because of differences between the House and Senate bills, action will be needed to determine a final bill before it can be sent to the President’s desk. NTEU will be looking to eliminate aspects of the Issa changes as the bill moves forward. President Obama is a strong

supporter of NTEU’s position on telework, and I expect he will sign this bill.