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Washington, D.C.—Telework and remote work programs should be immediately reinstated to provide federal employees with relief from surging gas prices that are expected to rise further this summer. This was the message from the leader of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) in a letter today to the head of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

Rising commuting costs and inflation come as federal employees face inadequate pay increases and the President’s fiscal 2027 budget proposal contains no increase. Compounding this problem is the administration’s elimination of telework even though federal employees had been successfully working remotely for years, Greenwald told OPM Director Scott Kupor.

“Not only does telework save the government money through reduced leasing costs, reduced energy expenses and increased productivity, it reduces traffic congestion and saves employees time and money commuting,” Greenwald wrote. “It also helps those who can’t telework by reducing commute times and fuel demand, which helps ease fuel cost increases for everyone.”

Greenwald urged the administration to address the affordability challenges facing federal employees by providing them with a fair pay increase next year and immediately reinstating telework programs.  At a minimum, she said, OPM should immediately advise agencies to implement “Telework Exceptions” as outlined in the "Return to In-Person Work" Presidential Memorandum, until gas prices drop below $3 per gallon. The memo grants agency heads authority to approve specific exemptions based on a disability, qualifying medical condition, or other compelling reasons certified by the agency head.

“These immediate across-the-board actions will help lessen the economic impact all Americans are facing,” Greenwald wrote.

NTEU represents 38 federal offices and agencies.