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Freedom of speech is a fundamental right we all still retain as federal employees. This freedom under the 1st amendment protects our ability to speak freely to the public while in our capacities as private citizens on matters that are of public concern (including sharing non-controlled information on matters of public concern which we have access to due to our unique roles as federal employees) when it does not interfere with, and is not a part of our ordinary job duties (see: 1 & 2). Whistleblower protection laws also further protect federal employees from retaliation for public disclosures of certain types of whistleblower information. Recently a federal union president, Ellen Mei, of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) representing employees at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) was given notice she would be fired in retaliation for a press interview she did warning the public about the government shutdown’s impacts to SNAP benefits. GESTA leadership has signed on to the petition protesting her firing for this protected speech, and you can also add your name to this petition, which has been organized by the Federal Union Network, at this link.
We want to provide clarification on your right as a federal employee to petition and provide information to Congress including on issues impacting the federal workplace, Goddard and NASA. The right to do so is protected by law under 5 USC 7211 which states "The right of [US government] employees, individually or collectively, to petition Congress or a Member of Congress, or to furnish information to either House of Congress, or to a committee or Member thereof, may not be interfered with or denied." Note such activity is not partisan/political activity since it is not advocating for the election/non-election of a particular individual or a particular party to a political position and is therefore not subject to Hatch Act restrictions.
 During Acting Center Director Cynthia Simmons’ and NASA Associate Administrator of Science Mission Directorate, Nicola “Nicky” Fox’s, Goddard wide Welcome Back and Community Briefing on November 19th, GESTA leadership handed out information outside the auditorium. Although not organized by GESTA, some GESTA members and other employees also printed signs for employees to pick up and hold during the town hall to remind our leadership and stand in solidarity with other employees in recognizing NASA’s mission. Ultimately, security guards prohibited employees from distributing and bringing the signs into the auditorium. Samples of the printed signs are shown above. They are taken from the NASA mission statement. Some employees and members have now posted them on their office doors. Leftover posters are available in the middle stairwell of Building 34 if you would like to grab one.
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GESTA IFPTE
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