Treasury Employees Launch Pro-Federal Worker Ad Campaign

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Saying it’s time to “change the conversation” about federal workers and their jobs, the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) is launching a pro-federal worker public service ad campaign. The year-long drive, the union’s third such effort in five years, is expected to play in 90% of the top 100 markets. The 30-second and 60-second spots feature regular federal workers saying “Without us, you couldn’t be sure Grandma’s medicines are safe”, “Without us, you couldn’t make sure tax cheats pay their fair share” and “Without us, more illegal drugs would be on your streets,” among other points.  The NTEU ads differ from approaches other federal worker unions take. The American Federation of Government Employees, for example, emphasizes a raft of specific issues – ranging from better arms for federal corrections officers to raising the minimum wage – both on Capitol Hill and out in the field through local campaigns. And AFGE plans to enlist aid from its union allies in the AFL-CIO, via state federations and local labor councils.  NTEU, which is independent, will go it alone, but  union President Colleen Kelley says the approaches are complementary. “We’ll work with AFGE on the importance of the work many federal employees do,” Kelley explains. - Press Associates, Inc.