NTEU Calls for More Telework for Federal Employees as Gas Prices Rise

The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) is urging the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to reinstate telework and remote work programs as a way to offer federal employees some relief from rising gas prices.

In a May 21 letter, NTEU National President Doreen Greenwald called on OPM Director Scott Kupor to help federal workers combat an ongoing affordability crisis.

“Rising commuting costs and inflation come as federal employees face inadequate pay increases and the President’s fiscal 2027 budget proposal contains no [pay] increase,” according to a statement from the NTEU, which represents 38 federal offices and agencies.

“Compounding this problem is the administration’s elimination of telework, even though federal employees had been successfully working remotely for years,” wrote Greenwald, who also called on OPM to provide federal workers with “a fair pay increase next year.”

“Not only does telework save the government money through reduced leasing costs, reduced energy expenses and increased productivity, it reduces traffic congestion and saves employees time and money commuting,” she added.

“It also helps those who can’t telework by reducing commute times and fuel demand, which helps ease fuel cost increases for everyone.”

Greenwald also called on OPM to immediately advise federal agencies to implement “Telework Exceptions,” as outlined in a previous return to in-person work presidential memorandum, until gas prices drop below $3 per gallon.

That memo, she noted, gave agency heads the authority to approve specific exemptions based on a disability, qualifying medical condition or other compelling reasons certified by the agency head.

“These immediate across-the-board actions,” wrote Greenwald, “will help lessen the economic impact all Americans are facing.”