Union Appeals Ruling Limiting ‘Grass Roots’ Lobbying of Congress

The National Treasury Employees Union is challenging a labor panel’s decision that federal employees who are also union officials can’t use “official time"—paid time for union representational work—for indirect, or “grass roots,” lobbying of Congress.

The Federal Labor Relations Authority on Aug. 19 issued a 2-1 ruling that said while official time can be used for direct lobbying of Congress, it can’t be used by union members to encourage the public to put pressure on lawmakers to influence bills, laws, policies, or appropriations. The NTEU submitted a petition for review with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of ...