On Monday, the IRS will issue furlough notices to all agency employees, identifying five furlough days with the possibility of two more. On those five days, the IRS will completely close all but the most essential operations. This unprecedented action is a direct result of the failure of Congress to avoid sequestration.
This is unwelcome news for every employee and is an event NTEU has worked hard to avoid. At the national level, the union is in ongoing discussions with the IRS exploring all possible options to ease the impact of these unpaid furlough days on employees. While NTEU sought flexibility for employees in scheduling the furlough days, the IRS maintains that it has the right to set the days without regard for employees preferences for days off. The planned furlough days are May 24, June 14, July 5, July 22 and August 30. Our talks with the IRS will continue.
The furlough notice you will receive on Monday identifies a 30-day window before furloughs begin. During that time, NTEU will continue with our strong and vocal presence on Capitol Hill demonstrating to lawmakers the devastating impact on federal employees and the American public of the ongoing sequester. It is NTEU’s intention to bring the full impact of this unprecedented closing to the attention of Congress.
NTEU will also keep IRS employees informed of any new developments regarding sequestration and furloughs. To be sure that you receive all NTEU communications, please provide us with your home e-mail address. You may do this now, on your government computer, in accordance with the agency’s policy on limited personal use of the Internet.
There is additional information about sequestration and furloughs available on NTEU’s web site. Learn more.
