Trump Administration Budget Request Freezes Federal Employee Pay, Proposes Draconian Spending Levels that will Weaken the American Government – IFPTE Responds
IFPTE responded on Monday to the release of the President’s Budget Request (PBR) for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27), which was sent to Congress on Friday, April 3 and fails to provide for a federal employee pay-raise in calendar year 2027. IFPTE warned that the proposal, “completely misses the mark and fails to meet the needs and concerns of American people,” adding that, “if enacted, it would leave America weaker, less capable of providing services that Americans count on, and under-resourced in the event of emergencies or an economic downturn.”
IFPTE Endorses Connie Chan for Congress
“Connie Chan is the consummate champion for working families, unions, and everyday regular San Franciscans. A former IFPTE Local 21 member herself, Connie is the rare elected official who remains rock solid in her values that the government should work for the people; that billionaires should pay their fair share in taxes to rebuild our safety net; and that unions are essential to America’s success—and she delivers results accordingly,” said IFPTE Local 21 President Bianca Polovina.
IFPTE Northeast Area Locals Hold Their Annual Council Meeting
IFPTE Locals from across the Northeast area gathered together this week in Schenectady, New York as part of the annual IFPTE Northeast Council meeting. The meeting, which was chaired by IFPTE Northeast Council Vice President/Local 400 President, Denise Robinson, included reports of Local leaders, a discussion about organizing efforts in the Northeastern United States, and a report and bargaining update from International Representative, David LaFemina. Robinson commented on the meeting, saying that, “this year’s meeting was a productive one, and served as an opportunity for Locals throughout the Northeast to update each other on the issues impacting their memberships and share ideas of how to address those matters. I thank all of those who attended.”
Canadian Government Raises Federal Minimum Wage
Effective April 1st, minimum wage for federal sector workers in Canada increased to $18.15 per hour, reflecting a 2.1% inflation adjustment for 2025. Approximately 10% of the country’s workforce falls under federal jurisdiction, including members of SUP/IFPTE Local 160 and TEAM/IFPTE Local 161. With annual increases tied to inflation rates, the federal minimum wage rate has cumulatively increased by 21% since it was established in 2021.
IFPTE in the NEWS
Former Immigration Judges and Their Union Discuss Policies that are Undermining Fairness, Due Process, and Judicial Independence of Immigration Court
Policy changes introduced by the Trump Administration have resulted in the departure of more than 100 immigration judges, while those still on the bench are under pressure to prioritize deportation and deny bonds or face potential termination. Immigration judges who bring professionalism, integrity, and a deep understanding of immigration law to the bench should not have to fear being fired for carrying out their duties to the highest standards. Then National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ/IFPTE Judicial Council 2) represents immigration judges who work under the Department of Justice. Read “How Trump Purged Immigration Judges to Speed Up Deportations” in the New York Times.
After Trump Fired Him, S.F. Immigration Judge Went to See the Border for Himself
Former San Francisco immigration judge, Jeremiah Johnson, who was fired by the Trump Administration in November, traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border to see to see what it is like for immigrants coming into the United States. “It was surreal and also made me feel disappointed in the immigration system,” said the 52-year-old judge, who had been working at the downtown San Francisco immigration court for eight years, and practicing immigration law for more than 20. Instead of feeling debilitated, he felt free to do something he had long wanted to do: travel to the U.S.-Mexico border to see what it is like for immigrants coming into the United States — the very people who would stand before him in court to plead their case for why they should be allowed to stay in America. Read the article from the Mission Local.
Recently Departed NASA Research Physicist Discusses the Attack on NASA Science in New York Times
Dr. Kate Marvel, who recently left NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studied (GISS), wrote an opinion piece for the New York Times where she shared her frontline perspective on the dismantling and disruption of NASA’s pioneering science research that she and her colleagues have witnessed over the past year. GESTA/IFPTE Local 29 represents civil servants at GISS. “Humans have access to all this knowledge free of charge because of NASA. That was always part of the promise of government-funded science: discovery for all, wonder as a pledge to be something better and greater than we are,” writes Dr. Marvel. Read “NASA Flew by the Moon, but Behind the Scenes, Its Science Is a Chaotic Mess,” Op-Ed by Kate Marvel, in the New York Times.
SAVE THE DATE!!!
IFPTE 62nd Convention
Toronto, ON, Canada
July 19-22, 2027
IFPTE Local 400 