Federal Daily News
IRS furloughs would begin this summer
The Internal Revenue Service is projecting five to seven furlough days for employees beginning sometime this summer if sequestration takes effect at the agency, according to the head of the National Treasury Employees Union.
"We have had informal discussions with the agency about this matter and we will engage in bargaining when the formal notice of furlough is provided," NTEU President Colleen Kelley said in a Feb. 28 statement outlining the potential consequences of sequestration.
The union said it also would work with the agency to find any cost savings that could help the agency avoid unpaid workdays. IRS said it would continue to operate under a hiring freeze for grants and other expenditures, and trim back spending on travel, training, facilities and supplies, according to NTEU.
"None of these developments is good for the agency, for employees or for taxpayers," Kelley said. “Given previous budget cuts, the IRS is operating this filing season with 5,000 fewer employees than just two years ago. Now, IRS employees face potential furloughs and the loss of pay for a week or more; and all federal workers are continuing to function under the threat of at least a partial government shutdown when the current continuing resolution expires on March 27. This is incredibly unfair to them and to the public."