NASA has significantly increased its use of taxpayer-funded union hours, a practice where federal employees handle union-related responsibilities while still receiving government pay. Recent data from the agency indicates that expenses for these hours have jumped from an initial estimate of $417,798 to $893,620 for the year ending September 30th.
Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), whose office sought this information, remarked that, “Like other federal agencies under the Biden administration, NASA officials racked up an astronomical bill for union time on taxpayers’ dime.” She emphasized the need to halt such practices to ensure that federal employees prioritize service to the public rather than their own interests.
NASA had also revealed that its spending on union activities for 2023 was much higher than initially reported, correcting the number from $477,204 to $636,189.
Meanwhile, the agency’s budget is set to decrease from $25.4 billion in 2023 to $24.8 billion in 2024.
Taxpayer-funded union hours cover various activities, including labor meetings, training sessions organized by unions, preparations for collective bargaining, and representation for those facing disciplinary measures.
According to the Federal Services Labor Management Relations Act, federal unions are limited in their negotiations, unable to discuss wages or benefits determined by legal frameworks. Instead, they are left to tackle smaller matters such as workplace procedures and telework guidelines.
Rachel Gresler, a senior researcher at the Heritage Foundation, noted that these issues often offer little to no benefit for taxpayers, highlighting specifics like cubicle panel heights or arrangements regarding smoking areas on campuses.
In 2023, 43 NASA employees logged taxpayer-funded union hours, totaling around 6,588.5 hours. By 2024, that number grew to 49 employees, logging approximately 8,780.25 hours of union work.
NASA is represented by two primary federal unions: the International Federation of Specialized Engineers and the Federation of US Government Employees. Ernst, who leads the Senate Doge Caucus, has sought to cut down on taxpayer-funded union time, making a broad request for data from 24 government agencies, to which NASA was prompt in responding.
In an official statement, NASA claimed it adheres strictly to federal law, asserting that the agency is committed to transparency for those overseeing operations in the legislative sphere. The spokesperson explained that NASA is compliant with federal guidelines that permit employees official time for specific union-related activities.
Among the agencies that provided data to Ernst’s office, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) topped the list with a staggering $3.3 million spent on taxpayer-funded union time in 2023 and 2024. The DHA supports military personnel’s interests.
The Human Resources Administration had previously gathered extensive data on taxpayer-funded union hours but ceased doing so in 2019, following a request from the Trump administration for such reporting. In a 2019 assessment, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) revealed that the entire federal government had spent at least $135 million on taxpayer-funded union time, with NASA contributing $641,037 that year.
