NASA’s spending on taxpayer-funded union time has skyrocketed to nearly $900,000, drawing fierce criticism from lawmakers who call it a wasteful expenditure of precious resources meant for space exploration.
Key Takeaways
- NASA’s expenditure on taxpayer-funded union time increased dramatically from a reported $417,798 to $893,620 for the year ending September 30, 2024.
- In fiscal year 2024, 49 NASA employees logged 8,780.25 hours of union work, up from 43 employees and 6,588.5 hours in 2023.
- Senator Joni Ernst is leading efforts to end taxpayer-funded union time across government agencies, calling NASA’s spending “astronomical.”
- Federal unions at NASA cannot negotiate pay or benefits, instead focusing on workplace procedures and policies that critics argue provide little value to taxpayers.
- The agency’s union time spending comes amid budget constraints and a diminishing role in the US space sector compared to private companies like SpaceX.
Nearly $900K Spent on Union Activities While Space Programs Face Budget Constraints
NASA has come under fire after revealing it spent $893,620 on taxpayer-funded union time for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024. This figure represents a significant increase from the initially reported $417,798, raising questions about budget priorities at the space agency. The spending covered activities such as labor meetings, union-sponsored training, and preparations for collective bargaining agreements. Despite NASA’s overall budget decreasing to $24.88 billion in 2024 from $25.4 billion in 2023, the agency has allocated substantial resources to union activities that some lawmakers view as unnecessary expenditures.
“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)
The expenditure covers time spent by NASA employees engaged in union-related activities during their regular working hours. In 2024, 49 employees dedicated 8,780.25 hours to these activities, a notable increase from the previous year when 43 employees logged 6,588.5 hours. This means that while these workers were on the government payroll, they were not performing their primary job duties related to space exploration or administration, but instead focusing on union matters.
Limited Scope of Federal Union Activities Raises Questions About Value
Unlike private sector unions, federal employee unions at NASA cannot negotiate for higher salaries or enhanced benefits packages. Their activities are limited to workplace procedures, telework policies, and similar administrative matters. This restricted scope has led critics to question whether the substantial expenditure on union time delivers meaningful value to the agency or taxpayers. The unions representing NASA employees include the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers and the American Federation of Government Employees.
“They’re left negotiating for tedious things that are of zero or negative benefit to taxpayers,” said Rachel Greszler
Senator Ernst has been particularly vocal about her opposition to this practice, requesting data from 24 government agencies regarding their spending on taxpayer-funded union time. NASA was among the first to respond to her inquiry, revealing figures that have only intensified scrutiny of the agency’s financial decisions. While NASA officials maintain they are complying with federal law and committed to transparency, the substantial sums involved have raised red flags about resource allocation within the agency.
Growing Calls to End Taxpayer-Funded Union Time
The revelation about NASA’s union time expenditure comes as part of a broader investigation into similar spending across federal agencies. The Defense Health Agency reportedly spent even more, with $3.3 million allocated to taxpayer-funded union time in fiscal years 2023 and 2024 combined. These figures have fueled criticism from fiscal conservatives who argue that such spending diverts resources from agencies’ core missions. The Office of Personnel Management stopped collecting comprehensive data on taxpayer-funded union time after 2019, but in that year, the federal government reportedly spent at least $135 million on such activities.
“We need to end the absurd practice of taxpayer-funded union time across government to ensure that federal employees serve the American people, not themselves,” said Sen. Joni Ernst
The controversy surrounding NASA’s union time spending highlights a fundamental tension in government operations: balancing employee representation with fiscal responsibility. While unions argue that addressing workplace concerns proactively prevents larger issues and improves overall efficiency, critics counter that nearly $900,000 could be better spent on advancing the agency’s scientific and exploratory missions. As NASA faces increased competition from private space companies and tightening budgets, the scrutiny over how it allocates its resources is likely to intensify under President Trump’s administration, which has historically advocated for more efficient government spending.
