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NARFE Statement on the State of the Federal Workforce

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Contact: Jessica Klement
May 6, 2014 703-838-7760
  jklement@narfe.org

Alexandria, VA – As the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Federal Programs and the Federal Workforce examines the state of the federal workforce and federal employee morale, National Active and Federal Employees Association (NARFE) President Joseph A. Beaudoin made the following statement:

“As we celebrate Public Service Recognition Week, May 4-10, this is a perfect time to highlight the many contributions the federal workforce makes to this country. NARFE appreciates the time and attention Sen. Jon Tester is dedicating to examining the state of our federal workforce.

“Every day, our nation relies on its federal workforce to operate its democratically-empowered government. These public servants carry out the tasks our citizens require and expect of them.   

“Our nation asks these men and women to take criminals off our streets and keep them behind bars; assist our military at home and abroad; care for veterans that have returned home; help prepare us and recover from severe weather; and much more. Day after day, they answer the call.

“Unfortunately, our nation’s public servants do not always receive the recognition they deserve. Over the last four years, they have endured a three-year pay freeze, furloughs due to sequestration, a government shutdown and increased retirement contributions for new employees. These policies have cost federal employees more than $120 billion.

“It is no surprise that federal employee morale has been declining as a result. The gradual but steady deterioration inevitably will diminish the effectiveness of our workforce. We must not let that happen.”

“This hearing provides a good step towards addressing the problem. Again, we thank Senator Tester for his leadership in defense of an effective and efficient federal government.”

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The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), one of America’s oldest and largest associations, was founded in 1921 with the mission of protecting the earned rights and benefits of America’s active and retired federal workers. The largest federal employee/retiree organization, NARFE represents the retirement interests of nearly five million current and future federal annuitants, spouses and survivors