Welcome to NTEU at the FTC
NTEU Chapter 344 is one of two unions (alongside AFGE Local 2211) that represents staff of the Federal Trade Commission. Our bargaining unit is made up of professional and non-professional staff in the eight regional offices, as well as professional staff in Washington, DC.
How to Join the Union
To join the union, just (1) file form 1187 and (2) send an email to [email protected] for immediate access to members-only communications, meetings, events, and more!
Note: Membership forms are completed electronically via secure portal. You do not need to enter your timekeeper number. The last four digits of your Social Security Number suffice for the SSN field.
Status of the Union
After a successful representation election, the Federal Trade Commission recognized NTEU Chapter 344 (“the Union”) on September 26th, 2024. In accordance with long-standing federal labor law, the agency has a legal obligation to notify the Union of any changes in workplace conditions and to bargain with the chapter prior to implementation of such changes. We are in contact with agency leadership about many issues that affect our members.
In early October 2024, the chapter began its efforts to bargain an initial contract to govern labor-management relations. After several months of hard work, these efforts succeeded, and on January 19, 2025, the Union and FTC leadership signed an interim collective bargaining agreement, which the FTC’s agency head formally approved that day. On February 17, 2025, the agency purported to repudiate our Interim Collective Bargaining Agreement. We are currently challenging this action in proceedings before the Federal Labor Relations Authority. In the interim, the status of the contract is in dispute, but the Union’s status as the exclusive bargaining representative of the bargaining unit is not.
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a union?
- A union is a group of workers who join together to speak in solidarity, often to advance common interests such as wages, benefits, schedules, and other employment terms and conditions.
- Negotiating these terms and conditions together instead of individually is called “collective bargaining,” and it gives us much more power than we would have speaking up individually.
- Federal employees have the right to form and join unions, to bargain collectively with their employers, and to choose whether or not to participate in unions, all without fear of retaliation.
Who is eligible for membership in Chapter 344?
- Chapter 344’s bargaining unit consists of all staff in the Regional Offices and all professional staff in Headquarters. Professional staff includes attorneys, economists, financial analysts, statisticians, technologists, and other jobs with a degree requirement.
- Most staff who are not in our bargaining unit (e.g., Paralegals in DC) are in AFGE Local 2211’s bargaining unit. We strongly encourage you to join their union if eligible.
- Anyone in the bargaining unit may join Chapter 344, and everyone in the bargaining unit will be covered by any collective bargaining agreement, memorandum of understanding, or other agreement that we reach with the FTC.
- A bargaining unit consists of all employees eligible to join the union, whether they are members of the union or not.
Why should I join Chapter 344?
- Only members get to decide what is included in our collective bargaining agreement.
- Only members can serve as Officers or Stewards, where their work will serve their colleagues and help shape the future of the chapter and the agency.
- Only members can sit on committees, including the Bargaining Committee.
- Only members can ratify or vote down the contract, once negotiated.
- But everyone in the bargaining unit – members and non-members alike – must abide by the terms of the contract.
- Only members get NTEU’s membership benefits and discounts that can help save you money.
- Only members receive our email communications, can access the member area of our website, and can join the official union chat.