Most FNS Employees Won’t Relocate

According to a union survey, a majority of employees affected by a planned USDA office relocation say they would rather leave their jobs than move across the country.

USDA recently announced plans to relocate most employees in its Food and Nutrition Service, or FNS, after closing its Washington, D.C.-area headquarters and several regional offices.  The agency administers programs including SNAP, school meals, and WIC.

According to the National Treasury Employees Union Chapter 226, over 80% of surveyed employees said they do not plan to relocate to keep their positions.  The survey found that 81% of SNAP employees, 78% of child nutrition employees, and 90% of WIC employees who responded would not move.

“The vast majority just cannot move for various reasons — family commitments or spouses who have careers,” a union official said. “Even those who would move said they might relocate short-term but would actively look for another job.”

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