The largest federal employees’ union, the American Federation of Government Employees, has said it is endorsing Hillary Clinton for president in 2016.
AFGE said it chose Clinton because she came out ahead of other candidates in terms of her support for issues affecting federal workers.
AFGE said it endorses candidates on issues alone rather than based on which party they belong to. That may be true, however, federal employee unions frequently support Democratic candidates more often than not, something which has at times come back to haunt them if the election goes the other way.
Hatch Act Issues
AFGE said it would like the support of federal workers in getting Hillary Clinton elected president. It is perhaps somewhat ironic that AFGE must seek this support from the federal employees it represents, a group that must tread carefully when engaging in political activity, particularly if it is done at the workplace.
The Office of Special Counsel recently released updated Hatch Act guidelines for federal employees to keep in mind for the upcoming election year, especially as they pertain to the use of social media (see Don’t Let the Hatch Act Destroy Your Federal Career).
If you choose to support a particular candidate in next year’s election, just make sure to steer clear of the Hatch Act while doing so. If you have any doubts, be sure to consult with your agency’s ethics official.
