Social Security’s union employees secure a telework deal through 2029

Written by:   Scott Layden, DHG Senior Disability Advocate

Outgoing Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley negotiated an updated contact with Social Security employees who are members of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

What Does This Mean For Union Employees

The updated contract secures the current telework policy (work from home) for nearly 42,000 of the 60,000 employees of the Social Security Administration through 2029.  Depending on their job, Social Security workers have to report to the office between 2 and 5 days a week. 

Incoming President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) had vowed to end telework entirely for government employees, which could have resulted in thousands of Social Security employees leaving their jobs.  “This deal will secure not just telework for SSA employees, but will secure staffing levels through prevention of higher attrition, which in turn will secure the ability of the Agency to serve the public,” AFGE chapter president Rich Couture told Bloomberg.

Written by:   Scott Layden, DHG Senior Disability Advocate