First civil service union celebrates 90 years

[billyoc]

The first labor union to represent federal civil service employees in the United States is celebrating its 90-year anniversary.

The National Federation of Federal Employees was founded in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 17, 1917, making Monday the 90-year mark. The union is drafting language with the hope of securing a resolution in Congress commemorating its 90-year history.

"I am proud to have the privilege to be the president of NFFE on this historic occasion," said Richard Brown, the union's leader. "We want to reiterate our thanks to the membership, because they have sustained us throughout the years."

NFFE was formed just five years after Congress passed the Lloyd-LaFollette Act, which overturned an executive order by Theodore Roosevelt that had prevented federal employees from engaging in unionized activity.

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