NASA’s taxpayer-funded union time costs have skyrocketed to nearly $900,000, raising serious questions about whether space agency employees are focusing on the stars or on coffee breaks.
Key Takeaways
- NASA spent $893,620 on taxpayer-funded union time in 2024, more than double the initially reported $417,798.
- 49 NASA employees logged 8,780.25 hours of union work in 2024, up from 43 employees and 6,588.5 hours in 2023.
- Federal unions at NASA cannot negotiate pay or benefits, focusing instead on workplace procedures and telework policies.
- Senator Joni Ernst is leading efforts to end taxpayer-funded union time across federal agencies.
- NASA’s union time spending comes amid budget cuts and a diminished role in the U.S. space sector compared to private companies like SpaceX.
Union Costs Take Flight at NASA
NASA’s spending on taxpayer-funded union time has reached astronomical heights, with revised figures showing the space agency spent $893,620 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024. This shocking figure represents more than double the initially reported $417,798. The prior fiscal year also saw significant union time costs, with expenditures revised upward from $477,204 to $636,189. These expenses come at a time when NASA’s overall budget has decreased to $24.88 billion in 2024 from $25.4 billion in 2023, raising concerns about prioritization of taxpayer dollars.
“As has been the case with other federal agencies under the Biden administration, NASA bureaucrats were racking up an astronomical tab doing union time on the taxpayers’ dime,” said Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)
Growing Union Activity on the Taxpayer’s Dime
The number of NASA employees engaging in union activities on government time has increased significantly. In 2023, 43 NASA employees logged 6,588.5 hours of union work. This figure jumped to 49 employees logging 8,780.25 hours in 2024. Taxpayer-funded union time includes activities such as labor meetings, union-sponsored training, and preparations for collective bargaining. However, federal unions at NASA cannot negotiate pay or benefits, instead focusing on workplace procedures and telework policies.
“They’re left negotiating for tedious things that are of zero or negative benefit to taxpayers,” said Rachel Greszler
Push for Accountability and Transparency
Senator Joni Ernst has been leading efforts to end taxpayer-funded union time across government agencies. Ernst has requested data from 24 government agencies, with NASA being one of the first to respond. The Defense Health Agency reported the highest expenditure on taxpayer-funded union time, spending $3.3 million in fiscal years 2023 and 2024. These investigations come after the Office of Personnel Management stopped collecting comprehensive data on taxpayer-funded union time after 2019, though the Trump administration encouraged agencies to continue reporting this data.
NASA’s Changing Role in Space Exploration
The controversy over union time spending comes as NASA’s role in the U.S. space sector has diminished with the rise of private companies like SpaceX. NASA has shifted focus to deeper space activities and the Space Launch System, which has faced cost overruns and delays. The agency is associated with the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers and the American Federation of Government Employees. NASA has responded to Ernst’s request for information, stating they are in compliance with federal law and committed to transparency.
“If federal employees want to space out from their jobs, they need to refund the American people for every last penny,” said Sen. Joni Ernst
Historical Context of Federal Union Spending
In 2019, the federal government spent at least $135 million on taxpayer-funded union time, with NASA contributing $641,037 to that total. While NASA’s current spending of $893,620 represents an increase from 2019, it’s worth noting that some reports indicate NASA’s taxpayer-funded union time has decreased by 35% compared to five years ago. This discrepancy in reporting highlights the need for consistent and transparent tracking of union time expenditures across all federal agencies to ensure proper stewardship of taxpayer resources.
“Taxpayer-funded union time needs to end,” said Sen. Joni Ernst
