Biden administration silently obliterates the federal employee union accountability database, leaving taxpayers in the dark about union activities funded by their hard-earned dollars.
At a Glance
- Biden administration removes online database tracking federal employee union activities
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website tracking “official time” disappeared in 2023
- Critics argue the move reduces transparency and accountability
- OPM has not responded to multiple requests for comment or provided updated reports
- Lawmakers and watchdog groups express concern over lack of oversight
Biden Administration Quietly Erases Union Accountability
In a move that has sparked shock among conservatives and government watchdogs, the Biden administration has quietly dismantled a crucial tool for holding federal employee unions accountable. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website, which previously tracked and published information on “official time” – the practice of federal workers performing union duties on government time – has vanished without a trace. This sudden disappearance has left taxpayers and lawmakers in the dark about how their money is being spent on union activities.
The removal of this database is not just a minor administrative change; it represents a significant blow to transparency and accountability in government operations. Critics argue that this move by the Biden administration is a deliberate attempt to shield union activities from public scrutiny and potentially facilitate the misuse of taxpayer funds. The implications of this decision are far-reaching, potentially costing American taxpayers millions of dollars in unchecked union expenses.
Biden admin removed federal union accountability webpage Earlier in his term, President Joe Biden nixed an online database meant to hold federal public employee unions accountable, and nearly two years later, it is still nowhere to be found. The U.S. Of…https://t.co/B6avivOYas
— The Black Chronicle (@BlackChron) October 10, 2024
Stonewalling and Silence: OPM’s Puzzling Response
Despite repeated inquiries from lawmakers, watchdog groups, and the media, the Office of Personnel Management has remained tight-lipped about the disappearance of the accountability database. Initially, OPM claimed the website was being reorganized for better navigation and customer experience. However, as months have passed without any sign of the promised improvements, skepticism has grown about the true motives behind this sudden lack of transparency.
“OPM has not only gone out of its way to obscure official government reports documenting how much federal employees’ union work costs taxpayers, but has stonewalled attempts to understand why OPM’s webpage on official time was removed and has neglected to publish any updated estimates of official time use during this administration, probably because any such report would almost certainly show the cost of taxpayer-funded union work skyrocketing as fast as Americans’ grocery bills,” Max Nelsen from the Freedom Foundation told The Center Square. “OPM’s conduct demonstrates its contempt for American taxpayers and its disregard of even the most minimal obligations of transparent government,” he added. – Maxford Nelsen, a labor policy expert at the Freedom Foundation.
The silence from OPM is deafening. Public information requests have gone unanswered, and the agency has failed to provide updated reports on official time use. This lack of responsiveness raises serious questions about the Biden administration’s commitment to government transparency and its willingness to be held accountable for the use of taxpayer resources.
A Pattern of Union Favoritism?
The removal of the accountability database appears to be part of a larger pattern of the Biden administration’s pro-union stance. Since taking office, President Biden has appointed experienced worker advocates to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and increased its funding. While supporters argue these moves are necessary to protect workers’ rights, critics see them as tipping the scales unfairly in favor of unions at the expense of taxpayers and businesses.
“Most tellingly, Director [Kiran] Ahuja offered no apology for the removal of the official time webpage, made no commitment to restoring it, and declined to commit OPM to producing any additional estimates of taxpayer-funded union time use and costs in the future…” – Maxford Nelsen, a labor policy expert at the Freedom Foundation, told The Center Square
The Biden administration’s actions stand in stark contrast to its rhetoric about strengthening American democracy and increasing government accountability. While the White House touts initiatives aimed at transparency and anti-corruption, the removal of this crucial accountability tool sends a very different message. It appears that when it comes to union activities, the administration is more interested in concealment than disclosure.
The Cost to Taxpayers: A Growing Concern
Without access to updated reports on official time use, it’s impossible to know exactly how much taxpayer money is being spent on union activities. The last available report from fiscal year 2019 is now woefully outdated, and experts suspect that costs have increased significantly since then. This lack of current data not only keeps the public in the dark but also hampers lawmakers’ ability to make informed decisions about government spending and labor policies.
As the Biden administration continues to prioritize union interests, often at the expense of transparency and fiscal responsibility, conservatives and government watchdogs must remain vigilant. The American people deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent, especially when it comes to funding union activities on government time. The removal of the accountability database is a troubling step backward for open government and a clear indication that the Biden administration’s loyalties lie more with union bosses than with the hardworking taxpayers they claim to serve.
