The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has reported a significant increase in taxpayer-funded spending on union activities, with expenditures rising by 11% over the past five years. Records obtained by Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) reveal that the NRC’s union-related expenses surged from $377,056 in fiscal year 2019 to $420,074 in fiscal year 2024. This increase comes amid broader scrutiny of federal spending on union time, which includes activities such as attending labor meetings and training, as well as representing employees in disciplinary matters.
Senator Ernst, who chairs the Senate DOGE Caucus, expressed concern over the rising costs, stating, “Federal employees should be serving the American people, not themselves.” Her investigation into the NRC’s union spending is part of a larger effort to assess how taxpayer money is being utilized across federal agencies. The NRC’s union spending also marked a jump from $398,548 in fiscal year 2023, illustrating a trend of escalating costs associated with union activities.
The number of NRC employees eligible for taxpayer-funded union time rose from 38 in 2023 to 45 in 2024, contributing to the increased financial burden. Ernst highlighted that the NRC alone spent more than $800,000 on union time over the past two years, prompting her to call for comprehensive accountability across the federal government to address what she termed "taxpayer theft."
This issue is not isolated to the NRC; in 2019, a report from the Office of Personnel Management indicated that federal agencies collectively spent at least $135 million on taxpayer-funded union time. Ernst has urged the Trump administration to revive tracking and public disclosure of these expenditures to ensure transparency and accountability.
The NRC, which oversees the rules governing nuclear energy in the United States, was the first of 24 agencies to respond to Ernst’s requests for data on union spending. Employees at the NRC are represented by the National Treasury Employees Union, which may play a role in the rising costs associated with union activities.
While the NRC and the union have not yet commented on the findings, the increasing financial demands placed on taxpayers for union activities have sparked a broader debate about the role of unions in federal employment. Ernst has previously proposed legislation requiring government workers to reimburse taxpayers for the costs associated with union time, a move that underscores her commitment to reducing federal spending on such activities.
As the Trump administration continues to push for reforms aimed at modernizing federal operations, the scrutiny of taxpayer-funded union expenses is likely to remain a focal point in discussions about government efficiency and accountability.