Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth delivers her inspiring speech to NTEU's Legislative Conference in Washington, DC.
NTEU National closed its annual Legislative Conference today in Washington, DC with rousing lunch speeches from Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth and NTEU President Tony Reardon. Devoted to educating Congress about federal employee issues, the conference is a combination of training sessions for NTEU members and discussions with Senators and Representatives about issues important to us.
NTEU schedules visits for NTEU members to meet with their Senators, Representatives, and their staffs so we get face-to-face contact to inform our district officials on the issues that affect us. This face-to-face contact and the personal stories that accompany our members take our issues from the theoretical to the personal. Hearing from NTEU's federal employees ensures that each congressperson understands that her or his decisions impact real people and their families.
NTEU's legislative priorities include improving federal employee pay and bringing parity with our private-sector counterparts, protecting federal retirement, funding agencies adequately, providing fairness in the workplace for federal employees, and safeguarding healthcare benefits.
MD NTEU members, including Chapter 280 members pose for a group photo with Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen.
Last night NTEU held a reception for members of Congress and NTEU members to extend the face-to-face contact. We heard short speeches from Representatives Gerry Connolly (VA 11th-D) and Carolyn Maloney (NY 12th-D). Earlier in the day and throughout the conference DC-area NTEU members also met with Representatives Chris Van Hollen (MD 8-D), Donna Edwards (MD 4-D), Don Beyer (VA 8-D), Frank Wolf (VA 10-R), David Brat (VA 7-R), Randy Forbes (VA 4-R), Barbara Comstock (VA 10-R), and Robert Goodlatte (VA 6-R), as well as Senators Steny Hoyer (MD-D), Barbara Mikulski (MD-D), and Tim Kaine (VA-D) to discuss how their legislation impacts the jobs we do each day.
Northern Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly addresses NTEU members while NTEU President Tony Reardon looks on during the evening congressional reception.
Any NTEU Chapter 280 member interested in attending next year's Legislative Conference should contact Chapter President Diane Lynne. Space is limited each year, so raise your hand soon to get on Diane's list.
If you're interested in attending but not yet a member, you can download our membership form and find out more information on our Join Page here.