The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has informed unionized employees in a memo obtained by Reuters that they must return to the office by mid-April, unless they meet specific exemptions. This decision mirrors actions taken with non-union staff and echoes the broader federal workforce response to a mandate from the Republican President.
According to the memo dated February 25, SEC's Chief Operating Officer, Ken Johnson, referred to a directive and guidance from the Office of Personnel Management, stating that all staff must report to work on-site starting April 14, 2025. Johnson emphasized that this directive would "best position the SEC to fulfill the agency's mission."
The SEC has not yet responded to requests for comment, and the National Treasury Employees Union Chapter 239, which represents SEC employees, has also not provided any comments. However, in an email to its members seen by Reuters, the union criticized the SEC's action as a violation of the union contract and deemed the order as illegal.
The union's collective bargaining agreement dated 2023 specifies telework options for approved employees for a three-year term. The NTEU's national office declined to offer a statement. The union stated in its email that it intends to request the SEC to withdraw the directive, confirm its non-application to union members, acknowledge the violation of the statute, among other demands, but advised members to prepare for a return to work on April 14.