Federal Workers Offered Part Time Work Before Retirement

The Senate passed a provision to let federal workers go part time as they near retirement. The reduced pay would help offset rural development costs contained in the Surface Transportation Bill. Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) offered the amendment, which passed 82 to 16. The amendment drew the ire of two federal employee unions. The National Treasury Employees Union said it supported phased retirements, but objected to having the savings used in a way that doesn't benefit federal employees. Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) opposed the amendment, saying the Senate is using federal employees as a piggy bank.