By Federal Worker in Houston

Even for federal government employees work seems to be getting worse. No wage increases for three years. No hiring of new employees for three years. The workload is increasing tremendously.

Previously, workers at my level would retire and come back regularly to visit friends at work, at lunch or even have retirement parties. Now, no one is allowed to talk much, producing good stats is the central goal, as opposed to the quality of the service to the public. Old workers who can afford to retire do so immediately, they don’t have retirement parties and they don’t come back to visit.

Often I read someone criticizing pampered, unionized federal workers. These critics demand that government act more like private industry. They frame the question in a way that punishes all workers. As a union member and a federal worker I want better for all workers in the public and private sector. Improving the work lives of all people improves my future.