USPTO, National Treasury Employees Union Chapter 245 sign new collective bargaining agreement

Washington – The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 245 have signed a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for the first time in more than 20 years. The CBA, which was last updated in 2001, sets a government-leading standard for federal government labor relations by guaranteeing pre-decisional involvement and labor-management collaboration.  

Through the CBA and related labor-management relations efforts, the USPTO and NTEU 245 worked together to prioritize operational excellence while preserving employee flexibilities that make USPTO one of the top agencies to work for in the federal government. The CBA, which immediately takes effect, carries a five-year term with rollover provisions.  

“This historic milestone represents the USPTO’s commitment to strengthening the partnership between members of NTEU 245 and management,” said Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. “This generational agreement sets a standard for encouraging active and thoughtful collaboration, giving everyone a seat at the table to best meet the needs at the agency." 

The CBA covers all trademark examining attorneys and all Trademark Trial and Appeal Board interlocutory attorneys in the NTEU 245 bargaining unit, which includes more than 700 employees. 

“This important agreement memorializes several years of negotiations and represents the success of our Chapter’s employees and our labor management relationship that is one of the best in the public or private sector,” said Jay Besch, President of NTEU 245. “It demonstrates that the USPTO is committed to meeting employees where they are with flexible work options and strong labor-management collaboration, all which foster a truly positive work experience. Good things take time, and I’m proud that we have finally arrived at this day.” 

The USPTO's work to finalize a new agreement with NTEU 245 supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s policy efforts to encourage collective bargaining and promote equality of bargaining power between employers and employees, as laid out in the Executive Order on Worker Organizing and Empowerment.