The Nuclear Regulation Authority, which sets rules on the use of nuclear energy in the US, spent 11% more taxpayer money on union activities in the 12 months leading up to September 30th than five years ago. , the new records reveal.
The NRC spent $377,056 on union time in 2019. Referring to employee actions such as participation in labor groups and union-sponsored training activities, the costs that rose to $420,074 in 2024 were reported by Joni Ernst. A record obtained and shared by the Senator (R-Iowa).
“Federal employees should serve Americans, not themselves,” said Ernst, chairman of the Senate Doge Caucus.
“My investigation into the cost of taxpayer-funded union time with the Nuclear Regulation Commission is just the tip of the iceberg.”
The $420,074 union spending in 2024 marks a jump from 2023 when the NRC spent $398,548 on taxpayer-funded union time.
“The fact that one agency has won over $800,000 in just two years is exactly why I work with the Trump administration to get full accounts across the federal government and end this taxpayer theft. ” the Republican added.
The NRC has 38 employees and was able to request taxpayer-funded union time in 2023, but in 2024 that number jumped to 45.
Back in December, Ernst We handed out many requests Data on taxpayer-funded union hour costs can be found on various government agencies. NRC was the first response out of 24.
Such data from various government agencies was last released at a large scale. 2019 Report By the Human Resources Bureau. The report concluded that at least $135 million was spent on taxpayer-funded union time across the federal government.
Last week, Ernst wrote a letter calling on the Trump administration to revive the OPM tracking and the release of government-wide taxpayer-funded union time.
Public servants are permitted to engage in collective bargaining under the Federal Services Labor Management Act, which became law in 1978.
“In many cases, if a union representative acts as a full-time union employee, the agency cannot rely on employees, even if it is part of its duties, and completes the duties in the position it is employed. You can do this in the 2019 OPM Report.
NRC employees are represented by the National Treasury Employees Union.
Neither the agency nor the union responded to requests for comment immediately.
Ernst previously introduced laws to do so Force government workers Refunding union time that has funded taxpayers.
The Trump administration has pursued some of the reforms proposed by Hawkeye Republicans. For example, cracking down on remote work across the federal government and fully utilized leases for office space.
The government's efficiency bureau is spearheading the Trump administration's efforts to modernize vast federal bureaucracy.
