Hoyer Statement on Retirement of NTEU President Colleen Kelley

WASHINGTON, DC –Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) released the following statement today after the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) announced that its National President, Colleen M. Kelley, will retire after NTEU's 2015 National Convention in August:

"For sixteen years, Colleen Kelley has provided NTEU with principled and skilled leadership, and I join in thanking her for her service to federal employees and to our country.  Having served with distinction at the Internal Revenue Service and in a number of NTEU leadership roles – including as President of NTEU Chapter 34 in her hometown of Pittsburgh – Colleen brought to her national presidency a wealth of experience and a keen understanding of the challenges facing federal employees across the country. 

"I'm proud to represent more than 62,000 federal employees in Congress, and I have been fortunate to work closely with Colleen for many years.  Working Americans in both the public and private sectors should appreciate the advocacy of organized labor on issues they care about: wages and benefits, safe and decent working conditions, and protection from arbitrary and unfair employment practices.  Colleen has truly embodied the spirit and energy of organized labor in defending the rights and dignity of working men and women at a time of great challenges.  During her national presidency, federal employees were targeted for pay freezes, furloughs, and increased pension contributions, and NTEU fought back and raised awareness of the important role federal employees play in keeping our nation safe and growing our economy. 

"I look forward to continuing to work closely with Colleen for the remainder of her term as well as with her successor following NTEU's election this summer, and I wish her all the best with her future endeavors."